American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper))

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American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper))

Editorial Review

From the first shots fired at Lexington to the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase, Joseph J. Ellis guides us through the decisive issues of the nation's founding, and illuminates the emerging philosophies, shifting alliances, and personal and political foibles of our now iconic leaders-Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and Adams. He casts an incisive eye on the founders' achievements, arguing that the American Revolution was, paradoxically, an evolution-and that part of what made it so extraordinary was the gradual pace at which it occurred. He explains how the idea of a strong federal government was eventually embraced by the American people, and details the emergence of the two-party system, which stands as the founders' most enduring legacy.
Ellis is equally incisive about their failures, and he makes clear how their inability to abolish slavery and to reach a just settlement with the Native Americans has played an equally important role in shaping our national character. With eloquence and insight, Ellis strips the mythic veneer of the revolutionary generation to reveal men both human and inspired, possessed of both brilliance and blindness. American Creation is an audiobook that delineates an era of flawed greatness, at a time when understanding our origins is more important than ever.

Features:

• Large Print

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
• What were the founders were thinking?
  The GOOD -- A nice, fairly entertaining, analysis of 5 key events in early US history from 1775 to 1803 with insights you probably didn't get learning about them in school.
  The BAD -- Ellis writes with metaphors galore, which can sometimes get annoying.
  The UGLY -- Does Ellis really think he "knows" what people were thinking 200+ years ago?
  
• Valued perspective
  At this late date (almost sixty previous and voluminous reviews) why bother? Well I can suggest that as we look at an important inauguration, Ellis provides us with the perspective of Valley Forge, the Declaration, the Constitution and the Louisiana Purchase. He shows the founders as men who had an investment of self and belief that led to political duplicity and infighting that today would land them on the Daily Show or Sat. Night Live at a rate which would have exceeded this recent campaign. This is not... more info
• The Founding Fathers, Neither Jeckels nor Hydes
  This is a great addition to the history books covering the founding of our nation. Ellis covers the facts and corrects the fictions have become lore, and does so in a manner that is interesting and revealing. The Founding Fathers were neither geniuses who walked on water with the foresight of gods; nor were they evil white men hell-bent on establishing a utopia for themselves only. Yes, they were remarkable men with great talent, but they were men nonetheless, with weaknesses and inconsistencies. Ellis... more info
• A great starting point
  Admittedly, there's not much new here, but this concise, well written, thought provoking book still serves as an excellent introduction to the many complex issues faced by the founding generation. The chapters on early U. S.-Native American relations, and the Louisiana Purchase were particularly illuminating.

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