Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
A few weeks ago, I received a copy of The Hidden Message of the Great Seal How Foundational Truth from the Dawn of Liberty may Rescue a Republic in Peril from The Hidden Message, LLC. It is a well-researched book that certainly has its place in any homeschool program.
What is The Hidden Message of the Great Seal
The Hidden Message of the Great Seal, as mentioned above, is a well-researched historical book about the United States’ great seal. The author, Michael Kanis, goes through each image and word within the seal and explains the meaning behind it all. Through the author’s explanations, he seeks to show how significant the great seal is, and the implications it has today.
Road Map to Great Seal 
History of pyramid design
This soft-covered book is just over 250 pages. It contains numerous images of historical documents, paintings, and drawings. Various charts and graphs scattered throughout the book help organize information nicely. It is a good quality book.
Summary of the Book
Let me start off saying, The Hidden Message is not an easy book to summarize. It is overwhelming because of all the information contained within its pages. I will focus on describing some of the main points in the book.
First off, the author makes it clear that there is a hidden message in our nation’s seal. Each symbol was carefully chosen with a certain message in mind. Even though the design changed some with each committee that worked on it, each preserved the initial meaning intended. It was accomplished through heraldry which is “a complex system of rules and languages developed about nine hundred years ago.” (p 21) In the development of the seal, designers were “..applying those fixed rules and definitions to the symbolism on the seal to convey its meaning.” (p21)
As you read, Michael Kanis clearly shows you how he came to his conclusion behind the meaning of a symbol. He does this by sharing the background of influential people that helped design the seal, how a symbol has been used and interpreted throughout history, and from the Congressional Journal which explains the great seal. He even shows the biblical connections with the symbols.
Congressional Journal p 1 
Congressional Journal p 2
Through it all, you see how the message of the great seal is relevant AND important to today. The United States’ national seal is a message that “capture the essence of who they were as well as beliefs as vital to them as blood that ran through their veins.” (p 117) The hope was this message would be a message that would be carried into the future in order to preserve our country.
Overall Thoughts of The Hidden Message of the Great Seal
I will start by admitting I LOVE history! I was a history major in college, so I was extremely excited to start devouring this book. History fascinates me.
So, does my being a history geek impact my review?
Honestly, it probably does. What I find fascinating, you may not.
HOWEVER, I think everyone will learn A LOT from this book. It is interesting to see how much thought and careful planning went into the making of our country’s seal.
I truly believe anyone who reads this book will find some part of it interesting. You may enjoy the images, the background of the people involved in the making of the seal, or learning what it all means. Something is sure to interest you.
Using This Book in Your Homeschool
When I first received The Hidden Message of the Great Seal, I had my daughter begin reading it. I was reading it, too. I quickly realized, though, that my daughter may not be quite ready for it. She is a strong reader, but the book may be better for a high schooler than a late middle schooler.
My daughter didn’t finish the book, but she did read quite a bit of the beginning. She enjoyed learning the background of some of the people involved in designing the seal.
I would highly recommend this book as part of a high school American history class. Kids will learn a great deal of our country’s history and the people that were very important in our country’s beginnings. Most importantly, they will learn the message of the great seal and why it is so important to understand its meaning today.
Check out more reviews of The Hidden Message of the Great Seal by the Homeschool Review Crew by clicking the image below.
