For those who have read Founding Brothers?

Question

I just finished reading Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis for my history class. I was surprised by how I ended up liking the book that I thought was pretty boring initially.

But.. I am still confused on some parts :/, and would like to hear what other people think.

As you know, rather than trying to cover the entire history, Ellis divides up the "revolutionary generation" by describing six individual events.

My questions are:

1) How accurate are Ellis' accounts of the events? I mean, I just found out that Ellis has been lying about HIS own past... doesn't this lower his credibility?

2) How is each event important? I enjoyed reading each one, but I couldn't really understand how each of them were relevant to his thesis (which was that the founding of the United States was unprecedented and uncertain, but only successful by political / personal relationships among the "brothers"). For example.. the first chapter, the "Duel," was an interesting way to grab the reader's attention, but we never get to find out WHY the duel was so important in the course of the American history.

So what makes each of the events that he describes so important in the founding of our nation?

Answer 1

History is not always concrete; it is frequently subjective and open to interpretation.  For example, we know there was a duel between Burr and Hamilton, but no one knows with complete certainty what the exact events that led up to it were or what happened out there that day (Who shot first? Did Hamilton really have no intention of shooting Burr?, etc.)

Ellis is giving his interpretation of what occurred and, as you said, believes the country was founded primarily for furthering personal interests.  Much evidence points in that direction; the wealthy and elite were the ones included in the founding of America and laws favored them (like, men had to be landowners to vote).

What should be focused on is the relationships the men had and how their interactions, beliefs and actions affected the course of history.  You mentioned The Duel.  Although it's an interesting event, it's really the activity that led up to it and the aftermath that are important.  What were Burr's political aspirations and beliefs?  What happened to him after the duel?  What power and influence did he have after that "meeting"?  What would have happened if Hamilton lived?  What would have happened if the duel never took place?

At the end of the day, the stories are there as supporting evidence to illustrate the men's beliefs, ambitions and aspirations.