The Sheepish Scribe

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Good insights into the lives of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Without the recommendation of my son, I never would have gotten through the first chapter. If you can survive the author's lengthy explanation of why he wrote this book, the rest is much more readable. The final chapters, which delve into complex relationship between Adams and Jefferson, are the best part of the book. While most of this story is well known, Joseph Ellis brings out nuances of their relationship by reprinting excerpts from their private letters. That alone makes it worth the read.