Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2001)

What a small book to win a grand prize!

Still, with a lot of repetition, it could have been at least a quarter shorter.
(Too many times, readers may check to see when the chapter finally ends.)

Neither "Near nor farsighted," American Revolutionaries never considered that the land they claimed
as "peculiarly designed by Providence" was already occupied by many great and happy human beings.

This set the stage for their subsequent refusal to treat slaves as human beings.

Joseph Ellis strangely leads off his book with a totally depressing "The Duel."

Why he did not wait to gradually lead readers to this horror is never explained...
(He could learn a lot about pacing from Jacob Appel who saves Gregor Samsa for a finale.)
...Nor is why the fervent anti-duelists did not unite to prevent it.

"The Dinner" offers little more than repetitive and tedious intricacies.
"The Silence" is another over-one drawn out account.
"The Farewell" = hmmmmm.
With "The Collaborators, the plot picks up.

While the writing is smoother and the story better handled,
"The Friendship" is hard to read because of John Adams' clear betrayal
of his former baseline principles regarding slavery.

Questionable is Joseph Ellis' assertion that the American Revolutionary Generation
"did not devour its own children." What about the children of their slaves?
Who protected them? ( )

Fascinating vignettes from important moments in the Founding generation. This isn't so much a chronological overview of the Revolutionary year as a meditations on particular poignant moments and events in those early years. A positive in the book is the historical background given on certain decisions and situations. The intended readership is a general audience; overall I enjoyed this book and would recommended it to others. ( )

I had to read this in university for a history course. It was an impressive book that made it clear the ideas and challenges facing the men that helped to create the U.S. ( )

An excellent, illuminating read delving into the lives, personalities, idiosyncrasies and deep abiding links between the revolutionary generation's founding brothers, especially the long-time friendship between Jefferson and Adams. "Founding Brothers" should be on every serious scholar's reference shelf. Beautifully written. ( )

This book consisted of several longish essays on significant events. I enjoyed it, but not as much as his other books which went into more detail about their subjects. ( )