After the Revolution: Profiles of Early American Culture

Rating:
Summary: An American Revolution Review
Review: Ellis presents the American Revolution in six "bite size" stories. This structure allows the reader to enjoy American History without wadding through hundreds of pages of text. The six short stories presented by Ellis don't make conclusions, but present, in very simple terms, what occurred and presents options as to how the event may be interpreted. A real easy read, especially if you are an American History buff, and a great review on the American Revolution.

My favorite story was where Ellis presents the dinner meeting between Jefferson, Madison and Hamiliton on the subject of the federal assumption of the states' debt. Here, Ellis tells us why the Capitol is in Washington, D.C and not Philidelphia. Without elaboration, it was a deal struck between the two Virginians, Jefferson and Madison, in exchange for assumption of states' debts by the larger federal government. Assumption of state debt assisted the northern colonies (Hamilton was from New York and a great financial mind) who had larger debt; moving the Capitol from the north to the new District of Columbia allowed Virgina to have closer access to the nation's Capitol (travel was difficult in these times and, right after the war, there was concern with having a government so far away) as well as an economic boost. The story is conveyed effortlessly and well and leaves the reader felling as though he or she were sitting like a fly on the wall listening to these intellectual giants discuss this deal.

I would recommend this book strongly and, read together with John Adams by David McCullough, providers a great backround in the American Revolution. If the reader decides to read only one of these, the Founding Fathers is really a short and great priemer on the American Revolution. Thanks go to Ellis for providing such a good read on the American Revolution.