Called “sometimes brilliant and often moving” by Kirkus Reviews, Richard Lyons’ history writing draws on a lifetime of literary work spanning screenwriting, essays and poetry. A graduate of Loyola Academy, the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University, Lyons recently penned a new book that explores the history of democracy.

In this forthcoming text, titled The DNA of Democracy, Lyons tells the story of democracy from the birth of government rule to the royals who reigned over Western Europe, according to a description from publisher Lylea Creative Resources:

In a new series of historical vignettes and political commentary, Nautilus and Foreword award-winning author Richard C. Lyons retells the histories of democracy and deconstructs humanity’s living democratic masterpieces in his new book, ‘The DNA of Democracy.’

In this historical and telling guide, Lyons chronicles democratic societies, tracing their beginnings back to rebellions against tyranny, from Athens and Rome to England and America. Through true historical narratives, the book also relates the growth of democracy and how it differs from tyranny.

By the end of The DNA of Democracy, readers will better understand the blueprint necessary for successful democratic government, how American democracy was uniquely founded and what comprises the DNA of our modern-day democracy.

Lyons believes that today’s increasingly polarized political climate makes an examination of democracy’s roots all the more vital.

“I chose the subject because I have noticed what a fragile, temporal thing democracy can be,” Lyons says. “It is assumed we live in an eternal form of government, [but] we do not, nor did the people of the Roman Republic. Several things are necessary for the health of democracy, and they can be measured.”

In addition to chronicling democracy, Lyons’ research led him to its reverse—tyranny. “I found parallels or rhyming natures between the tyrannies of every era researched,” Lyons says. “Therefore, just as democracy has a DNA, tyrannies have a DNA as well.”

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The DNA of Democracy will be published on May 14, 2019. Photo by roya ann miller on Unsplash.

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