"John Calvin was much more than a theologian, and his influence extended far beyond churches. He inspired the cultural changes that gave rise to the political philosophy of the American founders, a truly extraordinary event in world history. Founding Fathers such as George Washington, James Madison, Samuel and John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson stand on the shoulders of some of the greatest philosophers in all history, not the least of whom was a pastor from Geneva hundreds of years ago. That we may still look to him as the leader in action indicates that the character of his thought was so robust and tardy as to leave a legacy for generations." -from the book