In this landmark work of history, the National Book Award8212;winning author of American Sphinx explores how a group of greatly gifted but deeply flawed individuals8211;Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madison8211;confronted the overwhelming challenges before them to set the course for our nation.The United States was more a fragile hope than a reality in 1790. During the decade that followed, the Founding Fathers8211;re-examined here as Founding Brothers8211;combined the ideals of the Declaration of Independence with the content of the Constitution to create the practical workings of our government. Through an analysis of six fascinating episodes8211;Hamilton and Burr8217;s deadly duel, Washington8217;s precedent-setting Farewell Address, Adams8217; administration and political partnership with his wife, the debate about where to place the capital, Franklin8217;s attempt to force Congress to confront the issue of slavery and Madison8217;s attempts to block him, and Jefferson and Adams8217; famous correspondence8211;Founding Brothers brings to life the vital issues and personalities from the most important decade in our nation8217;s history.
This group portrait of the Founding Fathers emphasizes the sometimes intense associations and rivalries among Jefferson, Hamilton, Burr, Adams, Franklin, Madison, and Washington.The author examines six defining moments when the personal and the political collided, and shows how their distinctive styles and visions forged a new nation. A New York Times Notable Book for 2001.
- Genre: Biography + Autobiography, History, Political Science
- Subgenre: History + Theory, United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800), Historical
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Pages: 288
- Edition: Reprint
- Language: English
- Format: paperback
- Release Date: February 1, 2002
- Date Published: February 1, 2002
- Author: Joseph J. Ellis