Birzer (history, Hillsdale College, Michigan) presents a biography of wealthy plantation owner and intellectual Carroll (1737-1832), who was the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence and considered one of the central founders of the US republic until forgotten by scholars and the public. His family being Catholic, he was sent to France for a Jesuit education. The stages of his life here are a liberally educated bastard, first citizen, the Constitution evolved, attenuating disorder, echoing the divine order, and the last of the Romans. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)