Founding Brothers

Joseph J. Ellis

1/11/2003 nonfiction, book review, Founding Brothers, Joseph J. Ellis, American Revolutionary War, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, memoirs, Jandy's Reading Room

Like all American school students, I learned about the Revolutionary War, the United States in the late 1700's, and the heroes of the war. I have a good general knowledge based on population knowledge and teachings, plus have read fiction based in that time period. But otherwise I have not been a serious student of the period. I picked up this book (on tape for in the car) because I wanted something different and it sounded interesting.

What I discovered was six in depth studies about particular incidents or relationships that happened to the founding Revolutionaries after the war was over and the new government was established. The men involved knew they were part of something great, and knew their memories would live in history. Ellis points out in the first section that often these men took stances knowing they would be remembered.

This book gives close attention to Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. It describes how the slavery issue was looming at the founding of our country and hidden away to help the new goverment get established. These people knew that the question couldn't be ignored. They also knew that addressing it when the United States was first governing itself would split the country apart. Other political issues of the time are examined like Hamilton's financial plan for the new economy and the location of the permanent national seat.

My interest was caught by many things in this book. Like most Americans, I tend not to think beyond some of the early skirmishes of the war, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the surrender at Yorktown. But this country had many more struggles throughout the 1780's, 1790's and into the early 19th century, both interenal and internationally. I always knew Burr killed Hamilton in a duel. I had not realized, though, how involved Hamilton was in the Revolutionary War under Washington or in the establishment of the government. I also didn't realize that Burr was also extremely involved in the national politics of the time, even running for president.

At times the book went into historically important descriptions that lost my interest. Yet overall, I was intrigued by the humanity revealed. I also had many a chuckle as I realized the more things change, the more they stay the same. Politics is still a puzzle and a game. These people helped establish the rules we now use. They played their games as well. Ellis has done a good job of humanizing our Founding Fathers and showing their relationships as the Revolutionary Generation.

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