E Pluribus Unum

Rating:
Summary: Not for today's college students
Review: Clearly the people who have written negative reviews of this book are college students who don't like to read anything that is not simplistic and obvious. For those who want to delve into the the amazingly complex world of the founders this is an amazing book. McDonald understands that history is an uncomfortable jumble of noble ideas and petty self-interest that lead to actions that are often contradictory. Unfortunately today's college students not only do not want to understand the complexity of history, but they also absolutely resent it. This book is for those not satisfied with the kind of history that reduces everything to the level of a cable television documentary. McDonald is one of the greatest historians of American history. He is unique in that his work is both very literary and scholarly. He stand outside the mainstream of historians who crave popularity over achievement. His books are among the few that I read more once. His histories are not for the MTV generation.

Rating:
Summary: Not for today's college students
Review: Dr. McDonald makes the Revolutionary period come to life. He was a Pulitzer finalist for Novus Ordo Seclorum & does similarly impressive work here. He does expect the reader to have some knowledge of the period, as some reviewers have suggested, of course the text is written for students of American History.

Rating:
Summary: McDonald is a genius.
Review: Dr. McDonald makes the Revolutionary period come to life. He was a Pulitzer finalist for Novus Ordo Seclorum & does similarly impressive work here. He does expect the reader to have some knowledge of the period, as some reviewers have suggested, of course the text is written for students of American History.

Rating:
Summary: McDonald is a genius.
Review: Dr. McDonald makes the Revolutionary period come to life. He was a Pulitzer finalist for Novus Ordo Seclorum & does similarly impressive work here. He does expect the reader to have some knowledge of the period, as some reviewers have suggested, of course the text is written for students of American History.

Rating:
Summary: Ignore the 3 bad revies from one person
Review: Dr. McDonald's work here is nothing short of brilliant, but this is hardly surprising coming from one of the nation's foremost historians. The low reviews this book has been getting on Amazon are really a shame, because it's a work of art. McDonald provides a masterful account of the creation of the American republic, giving the reader not just the major events of the period, but also shedding some light on the reasoning behind those events. His focus on the regionalism of early American politics shows the volatile nature of the compact forged in Philadelphia, which would ultimately lead to the destruction and reforging of that compact some seventy years later under the Lincoln administration. His wit and insight make this a truly enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in the period, as do his careful renderings of some of the more prominent figures involved in the Founding. Highly recommended reading to any history buff, or indeed any American citizen.

Rating:
Summary: A Whirlwind Tour of the Early Republic
Review: Dr. McDonald's work here is nothing short of brilliant, but this is hardly surprising coming from one of the nation's foremost historians. The low reviews this book has been getting on Amazon are really a shame, because it's a work of art. McDonald provides a masterful account of the creation of the American republic, giving the reader not just the major events of the period, but also shedding some light on the reasoning behind those events. His focus on the regionalism of early American politics shows the volatile nature of the compact forged in Philadelphia, which would ultimately lead to the destruction and reforging of that compact some seventy years later under the Lincoln administration. His wit and insight make this a truly enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in the period, as do his careful renderings of some of the more prominent figures involved in the Founding. Highly recommended reading to any history buff, or indeed any American citizen.

Rating:
Summary: Oh my
Review: I am reading this book for school and it's not so great. I really need some information about it, so if anyone can find something, let me know.

Rating:
Summary: other reviewers must not be interested in subject matter
Review: I'm very surprised to see these negative reviews. I read the book a couple years ago, and I found it very worthwhile. I suppose one wouldn't like it much, if one didn't have a particular interest in the founding era. I had no trouble following along or understanding, however, and I've only had a leisurely interest in history. McDonald's other book, Novus Ordo Seclorum, might be better, but they're both very good.

Rating:
Summary: other reviewers must not be interested in subject matter
Review: I'm very surprised to see these negative reviews. I read the book a couple years ago, and I found it very worthwhile. I suppose one wouldn't like it much, if one didn't have a particular interest in the founding era. I had no trouble following along or understanding, however, and I've only had a leisurely interest in history. McDonald's other book, Novus Ordo Seclorum, might be better, but they're both very good.

Rating:
Summary: Ignore the 3 bad revies from one person
Review: It appears that one person from the same university reviewed the book 3 times and gave it only one star. Someone is trying to smear the book and bring down its rating.. Read it for yourself and ignore the ramblings of ignorant, lazy college kids.