American CreationFrom the first shots fired at Lexington to the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase, Joseph J. Ellis guides us through the decisive issues of the nation’s founding, and illuminates the emerging philosophies, shifting alliances, and personal and political foibles of our now iconic leaders–Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and Adams. He casts an incisive eye on the founders’ achievements, arguing that the American Revolution was, paradoxically, an evolution–and that part of what made it so extraordinary was the gradual pace at which it occurred. He explains how the idea of a strong federal government was eventually embraced by the American people, and details the emergence of the two-party system, which stands as the founders’ most enduring legacy. Ellis is equally incisive about their failures, and he makes clear how their inability to abolish slavery and to reach a just settlement with the Native Americans has played an equally important role in shaping our national character. With eloquence and insight, Ellis strips the mythic veneer of the revolutionary generation to reveal men both human and inspired, possessed of both brilliance and blindness. American Creation is an audiobook that delineates an era of flawed greatness, at a time when understanding our origins is more important than ever. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - Schmerguls - LibraryThing5673. American Creation Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic, by Joseph J. Ellis (read 1 Feb 2020) This book, published in 2007, is the fourth book by its author I have read. It ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - wagner.sarah35 - LibraryThingThis book serves as a good introduction to the American Revolution and the early years of the American republic. Ellis does not attempt to cover everything, but he does pick out seminal events (the ... Read full review
Contents
The Year | 20 |
The Winter | 58 |
Therguincnt | 87 |
The Treaty | 127 |
The Conspiracy | 165 |
The Purchase 107 | 207 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 169 | 269 |
Other editions - View all
American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic Joseph J. Ellis Limited preview - 2007 |
American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies in the Founding of the Republic Joseph J. Ellis Limited preview - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
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Bibliographic information
| Title | American Creation |
| Author | Joseph J. Ellis |
| Publisher | Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007 |
| ISBN | 0307267741, 9780307267740 |
| Length | 304 pages |
| Subjects | › › Biography & Autobiography / Presidents & Heads of State History / Military / United States History / United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800) |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |