Revolutionary Characters

January 16, 2006
Bancroft and Pulitzer Prize–winner Wood suggests that behind America's current romance with the founding fathers is a critique of our own leaders, a desire for such capable and disinterested leadership as was offered by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Provocatively, Wood argues that the very egalitarian democracy Washington and Co. created all but guarantees that we will "never again replicate the extraordinary generation of the founders." In 10 essays, most culled from the New York Review of Books
and the New Republic
, Wood offers miniature portraits of James Madison, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Paine. The most stimulating chapter is devoted to John Adams, who died thinking he would never get his due in historians' accounts of the Revolution; for the most part, he was right. This piece is an important corrective; Adams, says Wood, was not only pessimistic about the greed and scrambling he saw in his fellow Americans, he was downright prophetic—and his countrymen, then and now, have never wanted to reckon with his critiques. Wood is an elegant writer who has devoted decades to the men about whom he is writing, and taken together, these pieces add perspective to the founding fathers cottage industry.

March 1, 2006
Presenting a series of essays he has published previously and heavily revised here, Pulitzer Prize winner Wood focuses on the Founding Fathers, whose achievements he notes are still so highly ranked by Americans today. Wood is at his best when writing about George Washington and Aaron Burr, noting with regard to the former that his character was perfectly suited to his time: his backing of the proposed federal Constitution was crucial, and he governed with -no precedents to follow. - Wood crystallizes his own opinion of Burr by defining him as -a self-assured aristocrat using his public office in every way he could to make money. - This book also includes essays on Jefferson, Franklin, Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, and, in perhaps the book -s one flaw, John Adams. Wood makes much of John Adams -s pessimism about the future of the country while glossing over his real contributions to the independence movement and his writing of the Massachusetts Constitution, which is still in use today. All in all, this is a very readable book; recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ"1/06.]" -Karen Sutherland, Bartlett P.L., IL"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2006
Adult/High School -There is no shortage of new titles assessing the character and contributions of America -s founders, but this excellent book is particularly well suited to high school students. Wood has selected eight remarkable men to profile: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Adams, Thomas Paine, and Aaron Burr. After describing how their reputations have undergone changes through the years, sometimes honored, sometimes reviled, the author discusses the men in terms of their own times. A chapter is devoted to each one, but these essays are not simple biographical sketches. Wood establishes his subjects - social and economic backgrounds, but then focuses on their personalities and philosophies, revealed through their correspondence. Trying to establish a meritocracy during an age of aristocracy was a daunting process, and the founders often became one another -s adversaries. Their shrewd and sometimes caustic observations showed the difficulties involved in coming to a consensus on vital issues. Insecurities, humor, brilliance, and bewilderment abounded, all described in a flowing, lively style. Readers will gain a new understanding and appreciation of these men, and may even be inspired to read some of the comprehensive biographies recommended by the author." -Kathy Tewell, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2006
Easily one of the top historians of the American Revolution in current practice, Wood gathers here his previously published articles about the Founding Fathers. Focused on eight of them--the usual suspects plus Thomas Paine and Aaron Burr--Woods homes in on qualities they regarded as attributes of character. As Woods explains in his cogent introduction, the Founders conceived of character utterly differently than its contemporary meaning as a composite of inner traits, flaws, and morality. They understood it to be one's exterior presentation as a gentleman in speech, bearing, erudition, and, with regard to political participation, "disinterestedness." Gentlemanly status had to be cultivated--the Founders were assiduous autodidacts--and the concept underlay their political theorizing about restraining monarchical or democratic despotism. Such are among Woods' many intriguing analyses, which ought to lure veterans of Joseph Ellis' popular collective portrait, " Founding Brothers" (2000).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)