Book Review - Non-fictionFounding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002)
by Joseph J. Ellis
2001 Pulitzer Prize for History
"This does not mean that the political history of the early republic can be understood as a polite forensic exercise conducted by a marvelous well-behaved collection of demigods. Nor is the proper image a symphony orchestra; or, given the limited numbers involved at the highest level of national politics, perhaps a chamber music ensemble, each Founding Father playing a particular instrument that blends itself harmoniously into the common score. The whole point is that there was no common score, no assigned instruments, no blended harmonies. The politics of the 1790s was a truly cacophonous affair. Previous historians have labeled it "the Age of Passion" for good reason, for in terms of shrill accusatory rhetoric, flamboyant displays of ideological intransigence, intense personal rivalries, and hyperbolic clais of imminent catastrophe, it has no equal in American history. The political dialogue within the highest echelon of the revolutionary generation was a decade-long shouting match." pg. 16Founding Brothers focuses on the great collaborations, partnerships, and rivalries of the American Revolutionary generation. The Hamilton-Burr duel; the epic Adams-Jefferson friendship, then explosive rivalry, then friendship once again; the Hamilton-Madison collaboration, then the separation of American political factions; Jefferson's mentorship of Madison; Washington's reliance on trusted aide, Hamilton... But despite the majestic carriage of George Washington, the unrivaled wit of Benjamin Franklin, and the astounding genius of Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams run away as the stars of the Joseph Ellis-penned book.
Ironically, we can only know what they were saying to each other while together from the letters they wrote when apart. During the months Congress was in session they wrote each other two ro three times every week. Much of the correspondence was playfully personal: "No man even if he is sixty years of age ought to have more than three months at a time from his family," Abigail complained soon after he departed for Philadelphia. "Oh that I had a bosom to lean my head upon," Adams replied. "But how dare you hint or lisp a word about 'sixty years of age.' If I were near I would soon convince you that I am not above forty" p. 174
Aside from Franklin, Adams may have been the only member of the American pantheon that had a sense of humor at all. Washington was too concerned with holding up appearances as the Father of the country, Jefferson was too gentlemanly to betray his emotions, and Hamilton and Madison were far too deep in their political battles to appreciate the humor of the circumstances. Instead, it was the brash, honest, passionate Bostonian, John Adams, that appeared to be the motivating force and brains of the Revolution.
But what about after the war? Washington's Army may have won us our independence, but who built our nation? What was the role of Hamilton, the pen behind Washington's words, the leader of the Federalists, and the first Secretary of the Treasury? Or what about Madison, the soft-spoken, but brilliant tactician widely acknowledged as the key framer of the United States Constitution? Ellis attempts to focus on the intimacy of our founding fathers, and the many political compromises they had to make in order to form our more perfect union. Founding Brothers serves as an introduction to our American founders, and it's easy, anecdotal style is wonderfully appealing for an amatuer historian.
But don't expect too much from this book. As I said, it's an exceptional introduction to the early years of the United States' nationhood, and should serve primarily as a gate-way book to the time period. It benefits from its comfortable style (one I desperately wish to emulate), but it fails to satiate one's curiosity. A wonderful book, with wonderful stories, and I doubt anyone would suffer by reading it, but there was very little in it that couldn't be found elsewhere in much greater detail. Ultimately, it's a very skippable book, but as good a place as any to start your education of the generation. B+
Past Book Reviews:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon
State of Fear (2004) by Michael Crichton
Interpreter of Maladies (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri
Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole
Novel Without A Name (1995) Duong Thu Huong
