In this landmark work of history, the National Book
Award—winning author of American Sphinx explores how a group of
greatly gifted but deeply flawed individuals–Hamilton, Burr,
Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madison–confronted the
overwhelming challenges before them to set the course for our
nation.
The United States was more a fragile hope than a reality in 1790.
During the decade that followed, the Founding Fathers–re-examined
here as Founding Brothers–combined the ideals of the Declaration of
Independence with the content of the Constitution to create the
practical workings of our government. Through an analysis of six
fascinating episodes–Hamilton and Burr’s deadly duel, Washington’s
precedent-setting Farewell Address, Adams’ administration and
political partnership with his wife, the debate about where to
place the capital, Franklin’s attempt to force Congress to confront
the issue of slavery and Madison’s attempts to block him, and
Jefferson and Adams’ famous correspondence–Founding Brothers brings
to life the vital issues and personalities from the most important
decade in our nation’s history.
關於作者:
Joseph J. Ellis is the author of several books of American
history, among them Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of
John Adams and American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas
Jefferson, which won the 1997 National Book Award. He
was educated at the College of William and Mary and Yale University
and lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with his wife, Ellen, and
three sons.