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Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation
 

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation

by Joseph J. Ellis

In this landmark work of history, the National Book Award—winning author of American Sphinx explores how a group of greatly gifted but deeply flawed individuals–Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madison–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... (read more)

Top tags: history,  american history,  non-fiction,  american revolution,  biography (all tags)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
JONATHAN O
  • Rated 5 stars

“Founding Brothers is an interesting historical analysis and a very interesting and well-written book on the whole. The book is written, not as an expansive chronicle of facts, tied up in boring, drawn-out descriptions, but rather a fascinating collection of anecdotes about the founders of our nation, replete with analysis and insight. This book serves to provide more fascinating and more effective historical commentary and analysis than I have ever read in any other place. The book is very...”

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Didn’t Like It

JEAN FRANCOIS F
  • Rated 2 stars

“Let me start by saying this is a terrible book. Dont get me wrong, I love History and this was a very, very detailed and accurate book by that means (not to mention from what I gathered from the book and various appearances on the History channel, Ellis is a very talented, intelligent historian). Its just that its an incredibly difficult book to read, i literally found myself falling asleep as I read. this could be for a number of reasons; first of all it was poorly written. It was dry and...”

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Community:
  • Rated 3.96587 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Shelby H

    shelby h said:

    “So far, I'm only in "The Duel" chapter of this book. How does this chapter relate to the rest of the book? The author paints Hamilton as an interesting character, intelligent, witty, and a gentleman. Why is he built up so much in the first chapter if he dies and does not re-enter the rest of the book? Maybe that's why there is a whole chapter dedicated to the duel. So far, the writing style is fair to my tastes. True, some parts are all politics and slightly boring to me, but at the same time I was quite excited while reading the action parts, and trying to figure out the mystery that most likely will never be solved. The writing style reminds me of an inchworm. Ellis's prose slowly expands outward, giving detail after detail, then will snap unto himself and swiftly mount all the details into one high summary, only to slowly expand out again and repeat the process. By doing this, he makes sure that readers of all interests and skill levels don't become left behind.”

    posted 8 days ago
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