From the historic campus of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, where the good, the true, and the beautiful are taught, nurtured, and honored, this is the Radio Free Hillsdale Hour, bringing the activity and education of the college to listeners across the country.

The first thing we're going to have to do is say, stop, stop this lie, that America is flawed at the root and has been systemically flawed for 400 years. Stop it.

This is your host, Scott Bertram, and that's Myron Magnet. He'll join us in just a little bit

talk about a recent essay he wrote for the new criterion titled DeFounding America.

First on the program this week, we're joined by Dr. Matthew Meyen, director of academic

programs for Hillsdale in D.C., assistant professor of government for the graduate school of

government. He's also an author of Mr. Means' mildly amusing mythical mammals and the brand new book,

Out Now, The Handsome Little Signet. Dr. Meant, thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me, Scott. So I've got to ask first, what handsome little signet. Dr. Ian, thanks for joining us.

Thanks for having me, Scott.

So I've got to ask first, what's a signet?

Yeah, a signet, which I could put little Noah Webster's dictionary definition on the first page,

because I like to build vocab.

The signet is a baby swan, and it's spelled C-Y-G-N-E-T, not signet like a signet ring.

But there's a little pun on signification.

So we should mention these are children's novels, children's books, I should say,

that are certainly appropriate for adults to read as well.

Mr. Beans mildly amusing mythical mammals out a couple of years ago, and the

handsome little signet is out now.

So the inspiration for this new one, where do you draw your inspiration?

Where was the idea sparked?

The idea came from, frankly, thinking about all of the books that were on offer for my own kids and sort of being a little disappointed.

Either Team Good Guy had put something kind of saccharine and too simple or Team Bad Guy had done something very beautifully slick but kind of wicked and teaching lessons I didn't want

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