"American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic" by Joseph J. Ellis serves as a good introduction to the American Revolution and the early years of the American republic. Ellis delves into seminal events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the winter at Valley Forge, the emergence of political parties, and the Louisiana Purchase to illustrate how the United States came to be. Through a readable style, the book provides an excellent history of this era, exploring themes of libertarianism versus centralism, the complexities of early U.S. Indian policy, and the pragmatic decisions made by key figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Ellis weaves together a comprehensive view of the early U.S. through six episodes, shedding light on the break with Britain, the creation of the Constitution, the challenges of dealing with native Americans, and the significant impact of the Louisiana Purchase. offers a fresh perspective on well-known historical events, humanizing the founding fathers and highlighting the complexities of their relationships, decisions, and the evolution of the American government system.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style is engaging and informative, blending historical storytelling with analytical depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative dissects the prevalent notions about the founding era, emphasizing a nuanced understanding through thematic exploration of key events.

Setting:

The historical setting encompasses the formative years of the United States, highlighting both domestic and international contexts.

Pacing:

The pacing is methodical, allowing for detailed exploration of select themes and events.

IF PERMITTED the historical license to stretch the definition of a year, then the fifteen months between the shots fired at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 and the adoption of the Declaration o...

Genres:

historical nonfiction

political history

biography

Topics:

founding of the united states

debate over the constitution

american revolution

federalism vs. states’ rights

native american relations

slavery and its impact

founding fathers

great men history

Notes:

Joseph J. Ellis challenges the idea that the Founding Fathers advocated for democracy; instead, they were elitists who saw democracy as a negative term.

The Founders focused on creating a viable nation state rather than a democracy.

Ellis identifies a significant clash between Federalists, who wanted a strong central government, and Republicans, who wanted to preserve state sovereignty.

The Founders successfully waged a revolutionary war, established a nation-sized republic, and created a secular state with religious freedom, among other achievements.

However, the Founders failed in their treatment of Native Americans and the institution of slavery, leaving serious unresolved issues for future generations.

The metaphor of the revolution as an 'evolution' highlights how the nature of opposition shifted from loyal subjects to ambitious statesmen during the struggle for independence.

Washington's strategic shift during the war from direct confrontation to guerrilla tactics illustrates adaptive military leadership.

Ellis details how the Constitution was resolved through 'The Great Compromise,' balancing state and federal powers without fully resolving those tensions.

The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S. but came with deep implications for Native Americans and contradicted Jefferson's earlier beliefs about federal power.

Ellis emphasizes that many Founders, including Jefferson, avoided discussing slavery despite recognizing it as a moral issue, which later contributed to national conflicts.

From The Publisher:

National Bestseller

Acclaimed historian Joseph J. Ellis brings his unparalleled talents to this riveting account of the early years of the Republic.

The last quarter of the eighteenth century remains the most politically creative era in American history, when a dedicated group of men undertook a bold experiment in political ideals. It was a time of both triumphs and tragedies-all of which contributed to the shaping of our burgeoning nation. Ellis casts an incisive eye on the gradual pace of the American Revolution and the contributions of such luminaries as Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, and brilliantly analyzes the failures of the founders to adequately solve the problems of slavery and the treatment of Native Americans. With accessible prose and stunning eloquence, Ellis delineates in American Creation an era of flawed greatness, at a time when understanding our origins is more important than ever.

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American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic

Joseph J. Ellis