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Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis

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In the great American novel “Founding Brothers,” author Joseph J. Ellis was able to depict the process of creating the United States Constitution through the stories of Hamilton and Burrs deadly duel, Washington’s Farewell Address, Franklin's attempt to force congress to confront the issue of slavery, the political partnership between Adams and his wife, as well as the great friendship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. One of the most compelling stories shared throughout the book was the one of Thomas Jefferson's dinner party where three prominent political leaders came to an agreement regarding two key political decisions of the time. These stories bring to life the issues of the most important decade in our nation's history. “Founding Brothers," shares the stories of arguably the most influential men in United States history. Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madison were given the task to determine the laws that have become the glue for our country. You could say the first chapter, “The duel”, started off with a bang when Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton agreed to meet in the very remote location of Weehawken, New Jersey with the idea of only one man leaving. By following the law binding code duello, both men exchanged shots from ten paces away. Burr struck Hamilton directly in his abdomen, which created a slow and painful death for one of the greatest minds in the Federalist party. The irony being, Burr walked away untouched, his political leadership seemed to die once he pulled the trigger. This is only one example of a historical event that Joseph Ellis was able to turn into an intriguing story that makes the reader feel like they are part of the duel. Or, participating in political argument while enjoying a dinner with James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, as well as Alexander Hamilton (before his death of course). The dinner was held by Jefferson to try to create an agreement with the opposing political leader, Madison. Jefferson realized that his financial plan regarding public credit was on the verge of being rejected and without his plan and his leadership “the government and inevitably the national union must collapse”pg. 48. However, in the end Madison had managed to block the approval of Jefferson's plan. Nevertheless Jefferson and Madison agreed on a compromise in which Madison would pass Jeffers

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