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Summary: An easy to read book--engaging history
Review: This book is a treat for historians, history buffs, and people looking for light reading alike. I'm sure you may have heard some of the controversey surrounding Joe Ellis' false claims of service in Vietnam. Despite this deception, his work in this book is beyond reproach. Do not be discouraged by anything you might have heard, this is an accurate and engaging piece of historical commentary. The stories are rarely discussed, yet so important to American History. Ellis' analysis of the personalities of the American Founding Brothers are so interesting and insightful, you'll be enchanted from page one. My favorite chapter is the first, which discusses the fateful duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. It is a must read, even if your not a history buff!
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Summary: Insightful & Enjoyable
Review: This was simply one of the best history books I've read. It pulled the American Revolution's key players down from their pedastals and brought them to life with all the passion, pettiness, and brilliance they possessed. As to Ellis's personal shortcomings, I hope someday he explains himself as well as he did Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton. If you have any interest in the subject, give the book a shot -- you'll gain a lot of insight and enjoy the ride.
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Summary: Transformation from Friendly Brothers to Feuding Rivals
Review: Anyone who enjoyed David McCullough's biography of John Adams will find this book to be a rewarding companion, which fills in important missing pieces about the foundation and development of the new American republic. The concept in Founding Brothers is quite original as American history from two perspectives. First, Professor Ellis focuses on how the American revolution was different from colonial revolts before and after, and other attempts to establish republics. Second, he encapsulates his points around six themed incidents and relationships, built on Lytton's Strachey's example in Eminent Victorians. The book's primary thesis is that it is the political leaders of the American revolution who were the essential difference in the creating the new nation's initial, and unprecedented, success. Professor Ellis focuses attention in the book primarily on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Abigail Adams. .... In each of six vignettes, you get a new perspective on what happened from afar in space and time, and a refined view of what happened in detail by examining the situation from many perspectives. The book opens with the Aaron Burr-Alexander Hamilton duel. .... Washington and Franklin come across the best in the book, particularly in acting in ways that were principled, disinterested and competent. For example, both of them realized that slavery was inconsistent with the revolutionary principles. .... I came away convinced by Professor Ellis's point that the self-awareness of playing a historical mission was critical. .... After you finish enjoying the "what if" considerations in Founding Brothers concerning the American revolution, I suggest that you think about where a principled and supportive role could make a difference in what you do and care about.
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Summary: Exceptional insight into life of John Adams
Review: This book examines several famous events from the early years of American history and uses them to paint complex pictures of 7 of the founding fathers, including Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton, and Adams. It begins with an intriguing discussion of the fatal duel in which Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton.
I thought the best parts of the book dealt with John Adams. He has always been overshadowed in superficial glances at American history by Jefferson and Washington and his presidency is often written off as a failure. Ellis does an excellent job of explaining why this has happened. He also is extremely thorough in his analysis of Adams' character and reveals that Adams was just as aware of his place in history as Jefferson was of his. I'm impressed enough with this book that I've just ordered Ellis' biography Adams.
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Summary: Yes, winners write our history
Review: There are many who will benefit from reading this work and glimpsing the chaos that the era experienced. There were no TV reporters. Ellis does well with this. We need to understand. There are moments when a few key people decide the course of events. We know of assasinations that have changed events or prevented change. For a zesty historical novel, I recommend Defenders of the Holy Grail by Ken Agori. You will see what courage can do!
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Summary: Solid Historical Insights on the Founding Brothers
Review: Written as a series of vignettes with an underlying theme, Founding Brothers offers insight into the tenuous nature of the new nation springing from the American Revolution. While there is no real groundbreaking research here, what this work does offer are some insights into the men who were essential in creating the United States, and offers us a reminder that the success of the new nation was far from inevitable. In fact, the nation survived in spite of some very key differences between the founders as to where soveigntry should ultimately lie in the new governing regime. And,it should be added, by assiduously ignoring one of the overriding contradictions of the American Revolution and it's tenets about freedom and equality -- slavery! The book is a bit uneven but it is also clear in its main points. There was a lot of philosophical and political conflict between the founding generation: north versus south, agrarian versus mercantile interests, states' rights versus the powers and role of the new federal government, and the embarrassing entrenchment of slavery in the Southern states. While not entirely accurate in all cases -- it could be summed up that most of these conflicts pitted the Northern versus the Southern states. This is a somewhat crude distinction but essentially the north and south grew apart from each other mainly on these issues. The founders were able to muddle their way through these issues and keep the nation intact -- which wasn't always a sure thing. And finally, Ellis really brings to bear the human nature of the founding generation. Jefferson was a dissembling, venal, back-stabbing politician. The press was vitriolic, partisan, and stooped to publishing any nasty rumor, true or otherwise, to push its agenda. The nastiness of politics in that era make today's politicians look tame in comparison. Overall, I would recommend Ellis's work -- although I hesitate to say that it is Pulitzer Prize quality.
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Summary: A Study in How Events Make A Person
Review: Joseph Ellis first caught my attention when I read American Sphinx (his biography of Jefferson). Ellis's book "Founding Brothers" is good and gives us an interesting take on the men who founded America, yet it didn't seem to roll along as quickly, or as pleasurably as the Jefferson biography did. I think this may have something to do with the way that Ellis presents the material in this book. Rather than focus on one person and roll along chronologically, Ellis chooses to do something different in "Founding Brothers". He attempts to relate the making of the Constitution and the early years of the Republic based around events. For example, one chapter deals with the Constitution and its silence on slavery. Another chapter deals with the import of Washington's Farewell Address. Another discusses the bond and collaboration between Jefferson and Madison. Finally, the book concludes with the correspondence between Jefferson and Adams during the last years of both men's lives. At times, presenting the material in this fashion is hard to follow and seems a bit disjointed. I don't recommend this book for someone just breaking into the history of the Constitution and the early years of the Republic. I'd suggest something a bit more exciting like David McCullough's book "John Adams". Another good pick for a beginner would be Fawn Brodie's book "Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History". However, a student of this historical period, or someone with a good knowledge of the men involved will not have any problems with this book. Nevertheless, the style that Ellis uses in this book is essential in making several important points. First, the founding fathers struggled with a number of issues writing the Constitution and the end product was more the product of political compromise than any great enlightenment Second, the events of the era did more to define the people involved (Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Franklin etc.) than the people did to define the events. Third, at any moment something could have happened which could have substantially altered the course of events. Fourth, those who look upon what happened as divinely inspired, or just short of perfection would do well to remember what the failure to adequately resolve the slavery problem created--a civil war that 75 years later cost 600,000 lives. The founding fathers come through in this book as bright men who had imperfections like all people do. Jefferson was the slaveholder who condemned slavery. Adams was a brilliant man who couldn't understand that laws punishing freedom of the press (the Sedition Law) violated the first amendment. Hamilton comes through as a rather sinister character who may have wanted to use the army to take over the government and build an empire. Madison appears in the book as dogmatic and slavishly devoted to Jefferson. Its a different slant than many are used to seeing. Its both informative and entertaining. Its not a long book and its definitely worth reading if are interested in this historical period.
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Summary: Informative & Worthwhile....Despite Ellis
Review: Having just finished "John Adams," by David McCullough, I found Ellis' book the logical "next read" and I wasn't disappointed. Much of what McCullough had to say about Adams and Jefferson is reiterated here, lending credibility to both works...did I say "credibility?" Yes, yes, I know all about Ellis and how he has been making up fake war stories about himself. Too bad, because Ellis is a good writer, and I am afraid his writing career is probably over because of this incident. Too bad, because 1) This was a good book and I think the way Ellis presented his separate (but "connected") essays effectively convey an overall feel of the era. 2) Ellis used the words "salient" and "propitious" so many times I thought the record was stuck. Writing another book would have given him a chance to use a Thesaurus! Despite himself, Ellis has made a valuable contribution toward the understanding of the Revolutionary Era.
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Summary: Should Be Required Reading for US Citizens
Review: If you're interested in understanding the thoughts from which this Country sprang, you need to read this book. Mixing perceptive political and philosphical analysis with fascinating biographical sketches, Ellis weaves together a well-written, informative and terrific book. Ellis's recent troubles regarding his misrepresentations about his own war record should not disuade you from reading this important book.
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Summary: A Chore to Read
Review: This book is just not working for me. I am in the middle of The Farewell, and I'm not at all sure I'll finish this book. While this is all good information, I'd have to say that Ellis simply is not a good storyteller. I'll be avoiding Ellis in the future.
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