Just finished my 50th book for the year - Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis.
It was an excellent book - no wonder it won the Pulitzer Prize.
The book gave a reals sense of the spirit of the times in the post-Revolutionary War period. It brought some of the leading characters - Washington, Jefferson, Burr, Madison, Hamilton, Franklin, and John Adams - to life. The book explored not only their actions, but their characters.
The book also confirmed that the political battles then paralleled the battles of today. In particular, the issue of slavery reminded me of the issue of abortion.
It also reinforced my perceptions of many of them - with two exceptions.
My appreciation for Washington grew. We were lucky to have him with his judgment and his steady hand as our first president. Even though he owned slaves, his treatment of them, his setting them free and selling off his land to provide them with money to start their free lives, seemed remarkable given the times.
But my appreciation for Jefferson decreased significantly. I already had qualms about him because of his slaves and Sally Hemmings. Here, he comes across as a selfish, waffling political opportunist.
I highly recommend this book for those who like to read history.
Pax et bonum
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