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Joseph Ellis Founding Brothers Summary

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After the American Revolution, what is called the spirit of ‘76 held together the men who later wrote the Constitution and shaped the basis for the United States government. Going into the War and then coming out, the Founding Fathers were more united than ever. However, the seven had a relationship more comparable to brothers, and, like any siblings, they did not always get along. When written, the main idea of Founding Brothers had a strong purpose and a specific audience to reach, but, despite having its flaws, this book is, and will remain, a current topic for a wider audience. Joseph Ellis began his historical education by pursuing his Bachelors from the College of William & Mary, and then going on to get his Masters and Doctorate at Yale University. He first taught at a military academy at West Point, but he currently teaches at Mount Holyoke College. Having a wife and three sons, he now contributes to many national publications on a regular basis, including, but not limited to: The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal. As an American historian, Ellis has received nationwide appraisal; in fact, he won the Pulitzer Prize for …show more content…
It’s a recurring theme in the book to point out that differing political ideologies caused the Founders to sometimes dismiss their personal connections established during the Revolution. This straining, or at other times strengthening, of relationships between them is found to be what molded the government. Therefore, the novel would interest today’s political leaders who want to understand how the history of the government was shaped, and want to be the ones to shape history in the present day. In the big picture, it would be for anyone who desires to make history real to themselves, particularly in the revolutionary time

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