Taking sort of a back-door approach, Ellis looks at some less-written-about episodes or aspects in the lives of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, and Burr (i.e. unlikely friendships, Washington's farewell address, the duel between Hamilton & Burr) and uses them to paint a picture of what things must have really been like for these amazing men. He does make a lot of assumptions, which troubled me at times, but he is a beautiful narrator; never once did I feel bored with it. There were several moments during my reading when I was disenchanted with these great men, but just as I thought Ellis was going to knock them off my personal pedestal, he came full circle and restored my faith in their inspiration. Well, maybe not Aaron Burr so much . . .
So yes, I would highly recommend it as a springboard to heftier historical or political reading. It has inspired me to attack John Adams by David McCullough. Do you think I can handle it?
Oh---John Adams. I have been meaning to read it forever, but just like you, get too intimidated by those long dry-looking historically significant books. But maybe I will get up the courage too. I just read a book called "the mothers of the presidents" which was really good (not too long, and quite interesting and readable) and then I read Donald rumsfeld's memoirs ("Known and Unknown") which was FASCINATING. I really liked it. So now I am feeling like maybe I can tackle something by mccollough. I'll let you know how it goes. :)
ReplyDeleteMay I just say that the movie was spectacular, and a slacker's way of connecting to you brilliant people.
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