Founding Brothers

In this landmark work of history, the National Book Awardwinning author of American Sphinx explores how a group of greatly gifted but deeply flawed individualsHamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madisonconfronted 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 Fathersre-examined here as Founding Brotherscombined 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 episodesHamilton 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 correspondenceFounding Brothers brings to life the vital issues and personalities from the most important decade in our nation's history. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Joseph J. Ellis is the author of several books of American history, among them <b>Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams</b><i> </i>and <b>American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson</b><i>, </i>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.