Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation is a historical non-fiction book written by Joseph J Ellis. Originally published in 2000 by Alfred A. Knopf, the 304 paged award-winning book (Pulitzer Prize for History in 2001) is an enlightening study of the American Revolution and the tangled lives of the American state key founders- Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison. The book is structured episodically with chapters illuminating a common subject. One of Ellis’s chief drivers in scripting was to discuss the primary stages and challenges faced by the revolutionary generation as a result of governing in a virgin country as well as differing political ideas. The challenges included the first presidential election, interpretation of the constitution, the advent of political parties, regulation of the administrative, balance between the rights of the state versus that of the federal regime, and the subject of poverty in a perceived free society. Elli’s discussion is however not to settle these disputes. Instead, he seeks to explore the creation of the American nation and argues that its founding should be considered as a collective work that excelled because of the diversity of the personalities and ideologies of the founding leaders- main thesis of the book. Predominantly, Ellis has produced an analytical, concise historical masterpiece invitingly managed in a series of six crucial moments- Hamilton and Burr’s lethal duel; Madison, Hamilton, and Jefferson’s secret dinner; the petition by Franklin for abolition of slavery and the attempt to suppress it by Madison (the silence); Washington’s Farewell; Collaboration between Adams and Jefferson; and finally, their friendship.
To increase the credibility of the book, Ellis embarked on using a number of both primary and secondary sources to support the information provided. He effectively clarifies points from the sources by using endnotes. An illusion of originality was also created when Ellis used direct quotes from the leaders that he seamlessly blended with his additional commentaries. However, the masterpiece seems to lose scope when the author chose to put a lot more emphasis on just a few events. His effort at objectivity seemed to end with Hamilton and Burr whom he chose to discuss at a shorter length than other leaders. He was overly protective of Washington and Adams. According to him, Washington is the primary reason why America is where it is today. Ellis failed to realize the arrogance of Washington’s suggestion to the Cherokee to seize fighting white expansion and embrace the white culture and economics, or any reference would happen to them if they followed that advice-the dishonorable trail of tears. When listing Washington’s faults, the worst he could mention was that the character was not intellectually qualified in terms of reading, writing, and spelling. He also failed to recognize that leadership principally entails acting out and performing roles to the citizens when he recorded that Washington was more of an actor than a leader.
He also views Adams sympathetically than the mainstream view. According Ellis, Adam’s best decision was when he sent a peace delegation to France when his wife Abigail was sick in Quincy, while his worst decision was when he supported the Sedition and Alien Acts under his wife’s influence. He blames circumstances surrounding Adam, Jefferson, and Abigail for Adam’s failures when he says that he did well when the votes were finally counted, in spite of poor timing, bad luck, and comprehensive approaches by his Republican enemies. Only Adams can be put responsible for his bad legislation and his actions.
Ellis argues that the success of the union was dependent on the Revolutionary generation decision to abandon the discussions of slavery. The country continued with slave trade as the number of slaves increased in the country. Ellis however, seems to defend the founders by asking the audience to be lenient in judging them.
Despite the biases, Ellis’s book has been successful because of its clarity. Even the audiences who are not familiar with the American Revolution can understand his work. His argument of the Revolution, which stresses accord and compromise, is very persuasive. This book is a good bridge to relate general knowledge with academic understanding. In a period of polarizing politics and upsurging hostile interaction amid various parts of the society, politicians and layman alike should read Founding Brothers and understand some of the true values of American political structure.