Rating: 
Summary: Tedious Overanalysis
Review: The events portrayed in this book were undoubtedly of tantamount importance to the formation of our government by the founders, but
I doubt the founders themselves could have slogged through this tedious, overanalytic account of their actions. The author's ability to stretch the story beyond all human endurance to read it and stay interested is phenomenal. I hung on through chapter two, the end of at which point I realized that there are much better history books out there that are worth spending your time on. Read Mccullough's John Adams instead, it's well worth the effort.
Rating: 
Summary: Over-written, in my view.
Review: The propitious events about which Professor Ellis offers his finely honed observations were without the slightest doubt of seminal importance to the tenuous survival of our fledgling nation as it struggled toward its grand destiny, and his meticulously detailed analyses and provocative speculations will appeal to all hearty readers who, like Professor Ellis, have never met a noun that would fail to benefit from a well-chosen - or even not so well-chosen - adjective. His meticulously detailed analyses and provocative speculations will also appeal to all readers who, like Professor Ellis, are aware of the meaning of the word "succinct" yet find this demanding word, or better, the very concept, completely inapplicable to the crucial task of delving into the underlying, if not wholly concealed, motives of the towering, near-mythic figures of our revolutionary era who had their own competing visions of what they hoped would be the enduring history of their unprecedented experiment with a republican form of government. Incidentally, if you purchase the book in an audio format, please exercise care when listening to it while driving. I found it to induce drowsiness after about 10 minutes.
Rating: 
Summary: Very insightful look at post-Revolutionary period
Review: The Revolutionary War certainly united most of the colonists against the oppressive measures visited upon them by the mother country. But beginning with the Constitutional period fissures appeared in that unity. Without the demands of war narrowing the focus, it became evident that the meaning of the revolution differed among the colonists. The main political groupings were the Federalists and the anti-Federalists, later to be known as the Republicans. Many of the mythic figures from the founding era, or in the words of the author: the "founding brothers," were leaders of those two factions that determined the direction that the new nation took in the 1790s and into the 19th century.
Not only does "Founding Brothers" examine key ideas and issues of the early republic, but it also looks at the personality and character of the key political actors of the time, those being John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. The author uses several incidents: the Hamilton-Burr duel in 1804, a Hamilton-Madison dinner arranged by Jefferson in 1790, the introduction of abolitionist petitions into Congress, also in 1790, Washington's Farewell Address of 1796, the presidential election of 1796, and the fourteen year correspondence of Jefferson and Adams at the end of their lives as stepping off points to examine the issues of the day, especially in terms of their support or deviation from republican principles. Such issues as the centralization of power, the role of the "many" versus elites, business and urban interests versus those of farmers, foreign relations with England and France, the presence and influence of political parties, and freedom to criticize the government were vigorously debated. The author also describes the convenient shelving of the slavery issue because of its volatility.
The book is hardly exhaustive in its examination of various issues and personalities, although the insight provided is not to be minimized. The author is not bent on casting any of the principals in an especially bad light, but the warts are there: the aloofness of Washington, the abrasiveness of Adams, the aggressiveness of Hamilton, and the deceptions and fantasies of Jefferson. But clearly the author finds their contributions to the early years of the republic as outweighing any flaws.
Frankly, it is rather puzzling to see the book being denigrated by some reviewers. It was not intended to be an exhaustive tome of a period, episode, or individual. If anything the book will undoubtedly stimulate some to indulge in further reading, although it stands on its own as a source of information. The reconstruction of the Hamilton-Burr duel and various interactions of Adams and Jefferson are the highlights of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Brings to life great personalities
Review: This book examines certain aspects of relationships between several of the founding fathers. Ellis starts off with a bang, giving an in depth look at the famous duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton in which Burr sought to retrieve his honor upon the plains of Weehauken, NJ. It is fascinating reading as Ellis seeks to determine if Hamilton fired a shot and, if so, whether he fired first.Another fascinating chapter is one in which early abolitionists sought to do away with slavery. The matter was raised in Congress by Pennsylvanians who believed slavery should have been immediately abolished. Unfortunately, the institution was protected by the newly ratified Constitution, thus their efforts failed. As the decades passed and the number of slaves grew exponentially, a peaceful resolution of this tragic issue grew more and more impossible. The final chapter is about the reconciliation between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. After two presidential races aginst each other and fundamental differences as to what the legacy of the Revolution was, they renewed their old friendship. Indeed, at times Jefferson had made accusations against Adams that would have led some men to the dueling field to settle matter with pistols. Fortunately both Adams and Jefferson were above such inane resolutions of questions of honor. Ultimately, despite their many differences, in their old age, they were able to put these differences aside as they sought to explain themselves to each other in a long series of letters. The reconciliation seems to have been egged on by Benjamin Rush who sort of acted as a broker between the two and indicated to each that the other wanted to resume the friendship. Adams and Jefferson realized that they were writing, not just for themselves, but for posterity. As a people, we are all the richer for having their innermost thoughts on their roles in history preserved. Our founding fathers were far from perfect but I cannot imagine that there was ever a greater collection of historical giants at any other time in history and at any other place. I have recently read McCullough's biography of John Adams and these two books create the portrait of an emotional man who, in the modern idiom, would "tell it like it is." Jefferson emerges as someone much more reserved, sometimes duplicitous, who would hold things is. Thanks to the recent literature on our founding fathers, I feel that they are coming to life and that, in a sense, we are getting an opportunity to know them. A final observation: there was a founding bothers had a sister. Ellis makes clear that Abigail Adams was her husband's most trusted advisor and also a friend of Jefferson's (both before the falling out and after the recioncilliation). With her keen intellect, she made important contributions.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for all Americans
Review: This book is a must read for all Americans, especially those who are interested in the history of the revolutionary war era. This book, through original research, sheds light on events that our history teachers only glance over in school. Typical teachings of this subject matter fail to go into the detail that Ellis has with this book. He examines not only events, but the individual traits that affected the outcome of the era. Ellis covers six important historial events in this book:
1. The Duel - The events surrounding and leading up to the famous duel between Aaorn Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Ellis examines historical documents to determine the intent of the two men and why the duel ended with Hamilton's death.
2. The Dinner - Thomas Jefferson brokers a deal between Alexander Hamilton, who wanted the federal government to assume state debts after the war, and James Madison, who wanted to ensure the new federal capital would be on the Potomac River.
3. The Silence - In order to get Southern states to ratify the Constitution, the Nothern states proposed not to address the issue of slavery for 20 years. However, after 3, the Quakers petitioned the new Congress to abolish the practice.
4. The Farewell - Washington's Farewell Address, written by Alexander Hamilton at the request of President Washington.
5. The Collaborators - The relationship between John Adamns and his wife, Abagail.
6. The Friendship - The re-establishment of friendship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
While some may be disappointed that these stories show that the founding fathers were just as flawed as politicans today, it is important to understand the truth about what happened, rather than have a fairy tale understanding that reflects more myth than truth. Perhaps the realization that the revolution was not as inevitable as some believe, will allow people to have a better understanding an appreciation for the government as it exists today. A must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Blegh yuck
Review: This book is badly written, and the language is completely foggy. This guy can go on and on about a simple concept, and jeez it's almost as though he is ranting on about the first thing that comes to mind in big words. His writing technique seems to be to interrupt every sentence w/ foggy off the subject information in perenthesis. By the time you figure out what the hell he is talking about, you forget what the sentence was about in the first place. Have you ever talked to someone who began telling you a story but then interrupted it 85 times w/ other small events? It's like that. Must he include EVERY thought that came into his mind while writing?
Rating:
Summary: Founding fathers & political rivals in newborn Republic
Review: This book is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for good reason. Author Joseph J. Ellis offers intimate portraits of our nation's founding fathers and also a vivid view of the political rivals in our newborn Republic. Ellis is a terrific writer. History comes alive in this stirring narrative...the action starts in the opening pages with the most famous duel in American history and ends in the final chapter with a glowing review of the fued/friendship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington are examined in great detail by Ellis. Adams "enlightened diplomacy" negotiated a critical peace treaty with France. Burr is an opportunist and manipulator who was never forgiven for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Franklin, (who is not given the same attention as others) is a scientific genius who uses the press to attack political enemies, particularly those who were advocates of slavery. Hamilton restored public credit but also nurtured power for the commercial elite at the expense of the large landowners. Jefferson is the brilliant author of the Declaration of Independance. Madison's nickname in Congress is "Big Knive" for his ability to cut up opposition to legislation he sponsors. And Washington is the "American Untouchable," a great horseman and pragmatic military man who is clearly not as well read as other leaders of his generation but becomes by far the greatest legend among the people. The combined talents of the founding fathers provided the intellectual energy that allowed our nation to survive. Ellis is a talented writer, impressive researcher and a towering patriot. Highly recommended. Bert Ruiz
Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction
Review: This is a fascinating modern introduction to the founding fathers. The writing is superb. I suspect the criticism about his writing below comes from reviewers whom are either not serious readers or are tackling this book too early in their reading career.
The book is split into six sections, the first by far the weakest (too much about the duel itself). The intro and sections 2-6 [...] into a quest to learn everything about the founders I could. You will want to learn more after this book and you will trust Ellis as a guide with his excellent bibliography.
Some tantilizing tidbits:
1. President Adams thought Hamilton's behind the scenes manuevering to raise an army in response to French agression was a ploy to make himself an American Napolean. In reality Hamilton wanted to lead a campaign down to South America in order to kick out the Spanish and all other European influences.
2. In the last half of President Adam's term his vice president, Jefferson paid off smear-mongers to sully Adam's reputation. Just before the election, Hamilton, prefering Jefferson over Adams, openly penned a character assasination of Adams. Hamilton's work contributed to Adam's ouster, the end of his own career, and the new administration of Jefferson as president and Aaron Burr as vice-president Burr would go on to kill Hamilton in a duel.
3. Jefferson was delegated the task of writing the Declaration of Indepence, it was not a top priority... independence was a fait accompli.
All this stuff jumps out of memory after reading Ellis' book.
Rating: 
Summary: Some things they foresaw, some they didn't
Review: This is a great account of how a few episodes shaped our country soon after 1776. The real work began after the British left. The issue of slavery tabled to ensure that the Northern and Southern states could at least agree to a federal government. An amazing account of gentlemen who had no idea what would become of their "country". The most fascinating part is the Adams-Jefferson friendship/feud/friendship of 2 very different political ideals.
Rating:
Summary: Good History is good story telling
Review: This is a wonderful and fascinating history book dealing with the first decade of the American Republic and the key players in making it happen: Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, George Washington, and James Madison. Ellis treats this decade and the overlapping years as six events, each crucial to the survival of the fragile new nation: The Duel, The Dinner, The Silence, The Farewell, The Collaborators, and The Friendship. The most interesting to me are The Dinner and The Silence. Can you imagine a dinner hosted by Jefferson and attended by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, not exactly political allies? At the dinner a deal was struck which affects us to this day. Hamilton got what he wanted as did the Virginians. You may know what it concerned, but, if not, I don't want to give it away in this review. It may very well have been the most momentous political deal in American history. Now, consider the newly born US Congress in 1790: Two delegations to the House of Representatives presented petitions calling for an immediate end to the African slave trade. Two years prior it required a "deal with the devil" to secure the agreement of the Southern Slave States to the new Constitution. What happens when these delegations present the petitions? That is what the silence is all about and reading this interesting Chapter will give you a greater understanding of the events, starting in these early years of our republic, which led to the Civil War. This book, to me, makes history come alive. Ellis has the knack of the storyteller while losing nothing of the historian's acute requirement for accuracy.
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