A review by its_kievan
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

Unlike any other history book I’ve read, to be honest. This is very obviously a supplemental book, assuming a fairly decent understanding of early American history. Ellis looks at six key historical events: the Hamilton-Burr duel, the Jefferson-Madison-Hamilton dinner, early debates on slavery, Washington’s Farewell Address, the 1796 election, and Adams and Jefferson’s post-politics friendship. The first few chapters are rocky - interesting, but not very compelling. The last three chapters, on the other hand… Ellis clearly has his favourites, and they are Jefferson and especially Adams. His portrait of their decades-long friendship and rivalry makes for some of the best historical writing I’ve ever read. This isn’t a book for everyone, but for anyone interested in this era is an absolute essential.