Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation | Joseph J. Ellis

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation | Joseph J. Ellis | An interesting comparison of the revolutionary personalities

books:

Founding Brothers:...

	Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation Joseph J. Ellis Vintage, 2002 - 304 pages average customer review:based on 387 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

A Masterpiece

Joseph Ellis understands that it is what happens between, under and over the events of history that make it interesting. He has mastered the art of drawing out the implications of character, relationship and motivation. He brings the story to life by immersing the reader in the lives - the ideals, emotions, short-comings, likes and dislikes - of the characters that shaped the events of the American Revolution. Ellis doesn't just tell us that "they [all the major players] were making it up as they went along, improvising on the edge of catastrophe," he makes us feel it.

The founding brothers were not a unified group. They did not speak with one voice and in many cases they did not like each other. They were honorable and disloyal, self-sacrificing and opportunistic. They were often petty and sometimes heroic. They created the Union, but couldn't (didn't?) rid it of slavery. "The Adams style was to confront, shout, rant, and then to embrace. The Jefferson style was to evade, maintain pretenses, then convince himself that all was well." Adams is elevated. Jefferson's "sphinx-like image" is tarnished. Burr and Hamilton add drama. Washington, though human, manages to stay above the fray. Madison stays calm.

They left us with lessons for today and words of wisdom. Washington admonished "that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest; and no prudent statesman or politician will venture to depart from it." Ellis credits Washington with "the strategy of enlightened procrastination." Staying alive against a superior force will ultimately make victory possible. If Washington were leading us today, perhaps we (The United States) would not have blundered into a costly and futile occupation. We become trapped in the cross-hairs; the enemy only needs to survive.

The reader wants to give Ellis credit for bringing the story to a happy close by resolving the personal tension between Adams and Jefferson with poetic timing. Of course, Adams and Jefferson actually resolved the tension themselves, but Ellis beautifully tells the story. Founding Brothers is a masterpiece.

for more information click here

An interesting comparison of the revolutionary personalities

Rather than some of the other recent books that focus exclusively on one or two of the founding fathers/brothers, this volume taking a more wide angle approach and devotes a chapter or two to each groups and attempts to make some comparisons in philosophy. As the first few years of the U.S. history elapsed, philosophical differences between the "brothers" became more apparent. The author also tries to portray the founding generation as brilliant but flawed men, which is probably closer to the truth than more romanticized versions. This book gets a little academic and thick in spots, but do not let that bog you down - it's done very well. Highly recommended.

for more information click here

Excellent unbiased opinion of our early leaders

Founding Brothers is an excellent read for anyone interested in a clear, concise review of our struggle for independence and the early days of our republic. Ellis' explanations of the vastly different ideas that the founders had concerning what kind of government the new country should have and how to achieve it were captivating.

Founding Brothers, J. Ellis

A very readable and enjoyable book which makes the men involved in the Revolution, the drafting and signing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the relocation of the Nation's Capitol, etc., come alive. Their relationships with each other, envy, gossip, behind the scenes maneuvering are reminscent of politics today, or maybe life in general. If there were time to read only one history book, Founding Brothers would be it.

for more information click here