Center Intern Joshua Charles' Book Receives National Attention

Center for Global Justice summer intern and Regent University School of Law student, Joshua Charles '17, wrote his new book Liberty's Secrets: The Lost Wisdom of America's Founders with one purpose in mind – to introduce his fellow countrymen and women to the leading political heroes of the United States.

"When I meet great people, I like to introduce them to others," said Charles. "In my experience, many Americans have a very distorted view of the founders."

So he set off on a 5-year mission of research and writing to set the record straight.

"[The Founding Fathers] were extremely prophetic – there are many things that they said that could've been said yesterday with just as much relevance," said Charles. "And most people assume that because they lived several hundred years ago, that they're no longer relevant. But that couldn't be further from the truth."

That truth, which Charles has outlined in his book, has gained some national attention since its initial launch this summer, including interviews with television and radio personality Glenn Beck and on Dennis Prager's "Ultimate Issues Hour."

Charles has accomplished this all-the-while balancing his full-time work as a writer for the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. along with his law studies. A feat made possible, he explained, by the care of the School of Law faculty.

"They're not only extremely qualified, but they're incredibly helpful. I think that's something unique about Regent that I really treasure," said Charles.

And though he never planned to use his degree to practice law, he finds it a "powerful and important" part of his education.

"It gives you an insight into how society works and how to better research and think about issues of the day," said Charles.

It's that same knowledge that helps him better understand his favorite historical figures. His favorite Founding Father?

"That's very hard. It's almost like asking someone, 'who's your favorite child?'" he said with a laugh. Though he admits being particularly "enamored" by the honesty and realism of John Adams.

As for his steps post-graduation, Charles will keep "plugging along" with his work at the museum. But for now, he's focusing on being in the present.

"There's plenty of work to do," says Charles. "And I'm honored to be where I am right now. The Museum of the Bible and Regent are a big part of that."

By Brett Wilson Tubbs