Founding Fathers
In Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation, the author, Joseph, J. Ellis concentrates on six landmark moments of the new nation of America at its "infant" stage. Throughout the book, Ellis presents the events as they occurred in history, how they occurred, the responses of the vanguard figures of the Revolutionary era, and perhaps some conclusions based on how those events occurred. These events are presented in the form of six chapters, which include Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr's famous but deadly duel; the secret dinner at which the location of the capitol was determined; the issue of the most defining and central problem of slavery; Washington's Farewell Address; the collaboration of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams; and finally the renewed friendship between that collaboration. All of this by Ellis is just plain history as it was, but in between the history, you get tidbits of the author's main idea. What I thought to be Ellis' main idea, I gathered mostly from his preface, The Generation. Here, he talks about the meaning of the Revolution and the improbability of the achievement of the republican legacy, and yet the inevitably of it occurring. This view is expressed in the first sentence of the book, or preface
Because of this improbability, Ellis' purpose seems to be that of trying to get the reader to understand the real magnitude of such an improbability actually occurring in our history. " (Ellis, 17) I thought this book was totally geared towards history buffs. My favorite paragraph in the book in particular was the one about James Madison on the bottom of page 53. , and he goes on to explain this improbability by saying how it was common sense that an island could not rule a continent, and presents arguments such as rebellions against imperial domination (British army and navy. However, I do think this book might help me in AP American History, because it familiarizes me with the leading figures and events that made our American history happen. I said before that you could only get tidbits of the author's main idea, because it was so hard to follow along with what he was saying. Along the lines of trying to get the reader to fully understand what it took to create this new and independent nation, I find that Ellis concentrates on the distinct personalities of the vanguard figures of the revolutionary generation. " (Ellis, 5&6) And he goes on explaining throughout the whole preface, how to observe and perceive the occurrence of the American Revolution in all aspects, by using the opposing sides of farsightedness and nearsightedness to fully be able to understand this important point in history. Although I didn't enjoy the book very much, it was still good to have it read because I did learn some things about how it all began. I believe Ellis gives you an amazing insight into who these people really were, and the paragraph about James Madison made me smile, because his character appealed to me so much. "(Ellis, 4) Moreover, "If hindsight enhances our appreciation for the solidity and stability of the republican legacy, it also blinds us to the truly stunning improbability of the achievement itself. What little appeal each chapter had in the beginning, it loses it by the end, as Ellis drones on, making each chapter rather tedious, and difficult to understand. In fact, out of everything, my favorite part of the book, were the little paragraphs that described the personalities and characteristics of those figures.
Common topics in this essay:
John Adams,
Adams Madison,
American Revolution,
Joseph Ellis,
James Madison,
American History,
Aaron Burr's,
revolutionary generation,
Revolutionary Generation,
Farewell Address,
main idea,
vanguard figures revolutionary,
tidbits author's main,
throughout book,
ellis drones,
figures revolutionary,
james madison,
events occurred,
tidbits author's,
trying reader understand,
author's main idea,
american history,
ellis 17,
|
Acceptance Essays
