Interesting, but overall a little superficial and scattered. It was nice to spend some time with a few less extensively covered founders, like Burr-and I picked up some new things. The chapter on Mr. Adams was unfairly harsh.

Biographical portraits of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Payne, Aaron Burr, and James Madison. It gave insights into the lives of these figures that I didn't previously know, but spent a lot of time dissecting their political theories and how the revolutionaries unintentionally led to the degradation of politics and political thought in America. I don't know, maybe I'm a little worn out with reading Gordon Wood or with the subject of Revolutionary America, but I'm not finding it as interesting anymore. Maybe I'll go in search of different topics.

A wonderfully researched look not just at the Founders, but inside them. A personal look at the personality traits that each brought to the Constitutional Congress and the debate and discussion that created the most important single document in US History

I picked up this book at the library on July 3 so I could start reading it the next day. My plan was to spend most of the 4th trying to learn a little about some of the founding fathers. It was a great idea, however I probably should have picked something a little less daunting since this book was obviously intended for people who had paid more attention during their history classes and were already familiar with the founders. Nevertheless I kept at it and if nothing more it has proven that I am woefully ignorant when it comes to things I probably ought to know about how our country was founded. I must have been sick the week we studied the American Revolution. Obviously I wasn’t there the day we covered the Continental Congress. And just what was the Virginia Plan? I’ve forgotten. For that matter I can’t remember exactly what Aaron Burr did to earn him the title of traitor or why he ended up having a duel with (and killing) Alexander Hamilton. It’s a good thing I don’t have to take a test on any of this. But what I did enjoy about Gordon Wood’s book were the character sketches – details about the kind of men the founders were: 18th century gentlemen who placed a high priority on honor, dignity and good manners; extremely intelligent and articulate, well read (although not all of them were formally educated); creative and passionate about what they were doing. It must have been a fascinating time to be alive – especially if you happened to be born a male and could live comfortably (thanks to your family’s money and the slaves you kept on your plantation.) If nothing else reading this book has made me realize that I really should stop reading so many 19th century British novels and pay a little more attention to what was going on in this country a century before that. Maybe I need to make more of an effort. After struggling through this book, I think I’ll try to make it a point to read something each year that deals with American History. It might make up for all the times I failed to pay more attention in school.

This is not a bad book but I didn't learn anything new. I was hoping to use this for my AP class but I don't think they would enjoy it. If, however, you don't remember much about the Founding Fathers then I would recommend this book.

Dr. Wood has written an amazing book. He opens the founders to the reader as never before. He scrubs off the myths and stories and shows us the "real" founders, warts and all.

Wood argues that the “Founding Fathers” were set apart by their common dedication to preforming the role of eighteenth century gentleman. These men were not necessarily born aristocrats, but elevated their social status through education and virtuous behavior. Wood furthermore argues that the founders’ belief in the virtue of the common man and public opinion contributed to a transformation in the American intellect and culture that was contrary to their intentions and which resulted in the demise of their elitist republican vision.

Michael's book that I picked up and lost before finishing. Interesting particularly in how it goes into the ways in which modern politicians use the images of the founders. Annoying in the old curmudgeonley tone of the author.

This book makes me regret my lack of knowledge of American history. Wood presents us with a collection of sketches of the most prominent men from the early days of America, in part to clear up some misconceptions that have been passed on, but more to show how these men represented the last days of an idea of culture and civilization that stood somewhere in-between the social structure of England and the egalitarian impulse that led to the America we know today. There is much here to be learned about how we ought to think about polity, both in the culture at large as well as within the church. Wood is an interesting and knowledgeable writer; if you think books about history are boring, Wood might be the cure.

This was a very fascinating biography on the founders of our nation. I really enjoyed the chapter on George Washington. The information that was presented about him was something that I was not aware of in the past. I am glad that the author chose to encompass the entire life of the founders instead of just focusing on one area. He presented each of the men as just that, men. They were not perfect, divine or overtly horrible. They were flawed and imperfect, but they were leaders and forgers of our nation just the same. They each had an idea of leading and directing our young nation into being. Well done.

RC is a great refresher on the American Revolution. Many bits I either forgot or just plain never knew. These brief essays on Wood's favorite founding fathers takes one back in time and gives the reader a perspective on the Revolutionary War and its characters. My favorite chapters in order were Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Andrew Jackson.

Besides providing short but deeply insightful character studies of each of the founding fathers of the United States, it provides a brilliant analysis of the age that created the nation. What a fascinating era of human history!

Considering how short the book is, it is impressive just how much is packed into it.