Founding Brothers
...Brothers took place in Britain's former American colonies in
the decade following their successful war of independence. Founding Brothers focuses on
the lives of the founders of the Americans republic; John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin
Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Geroge
Washington. These founding brothers wanted America to live to its potential so the
minority who wanted a unified nation organized the Constitutional Convention in 1787,
with the purpose of drafting a national scale constitution.Ellis refers to the 1790's as the
most decisive decade in our nation's history. But these seven men happened to be the
greatest statesmen in their generation, and maybe even any genereation, came together to
define the new republic and directs it course for the coming centuries.
The author recounts the interactions between these men, and shows us the private
characters behind the public personas. Ellis helps interpret for the readers, how to balance
the short and long term views of history, which is mainly important in covering an era in
which the principals were extremely aware that they were making history. Throughout the
whole book, Ellis focuses on six keys moments in the life of the new nation. The different
events discussed in the book are the deadly duel of Burr and Hamilton and what may have
really happened. It also talked about Jeffereson, Hamilton, and Madison's secret dinner,
during which the deat of the permanent capital was determined in exchange for a passage
of Hamilton's financial plan. Franklin's petition to end the "peculiar institution" of
slavery, his last public act, and Madison's efforts to nullify it. Washington's precedent,
setting the Farewell Address, announcing his retirement from the public office and
offering his country some final advice. Adam's difficult term as...
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