Ellis recounts the sometimes collaborative, sometimes archly antagonistic interactions between these men, and shows us the private characters behind the public personas: Adams, the ever-combative iconoclast, whose closest political collaborator was his wife, Abigail; Burr, crafty, smooth, and one of the most despised public figures of his time for killing in a duel Alexander Hamilton, whose audacious manner and deep economic savvy masked his humble origins; jefferson, renowned for his eloquence, but so reclusive and ...
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Ellis recounts the sometimes collaborative, sometimes archly antagonistic interactions between these men, and shows us the private characters behind the public personas: Adams, the ever-combative iconoclast, whose closest political collaborator was his wife, Abigail; Burr, crafty, smooth, and one of the most despised public figures of his time for killing in a duel Alexander Hamilton, whose audacious manner and deep economic savvy masked his humble origins; jefferson, renowned for his eloquence, but so reclusive and taciturn that he rarely spoke more than a few sentences in public; Madison, small, sickly, and paralyzingly shy, yet one of the most effective debaters of his generation; and the stiffly formal Washington, the ultimate realist, larger-than-life, and America's only truly indispensable figure. Ellis argues that the checks and balances that permitted the infant American republic to endure were primarily intensely personal, rooted in the interaction of leaders with quite different values and gives us a new perspective on the unpredictable forces that shape history.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Ex-library book with stamps on the first page, it is also likely to have a small shelf number sticker on the spine.
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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Used book in good and clean conditions. Pages and cover are intact. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. May include library marks. Fast Shipping.
An important common bond that made them "brothers" was these founders' common membership in Freemasonry. Many of the ideals of the Revolution and the Constitution come directly from Masonic teaching and traditions. The author didn't do enough research, or else he deliberately ignored this important factor. It makes the book less reliable as an historical resource.
Sapphire2
Sep 24, 2014
History Textbook
This was like being in high school history class. I read maybe 1 chapter. Most boring book I read for our bookclub, and always loved history until this book.
Al S
Dec 22, 2011
Great read
Really makes one understand how the political process works. Puts a human face on our founding fathers.The nitty details of what it takes to make the first true democracy work. Every high school political history class should read and discuss a segment of this book.
Catnap1
Apr 28, 2009
Reads like a good history, mystery, and philosophy
I have now purchased this title in CD, and two paperbacks. Whenever I try to explain the American character, I find myself referring back to this text and buying it as a gift. Because they did not know in advance that they would not end up hanging either together or separately, these American Revolutionaries behaved with the highest integrity possible and trusted each other's sense of honor and integrity. Character mattered because integrity mattered, and Ellis explores these historical greats' characters with wit, compassion and wisdom in prose that is easy to read and enjoy. From unravelling the mystery of who first pulled the triggter in the Hamilton-Burr duel to the final exchange of letters between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who died within hours of each other on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this is a terrific read!
cweller
Oct 19, 2008
Ellis is phenominal
Joseph Ellis does an exceptional job of bringing out the relationships between the early leaders of our country. He is able to personify the subjects allowing them to become more then mere facts in a textbook and provides remarkable insight into the challenges they faced.
