American Dialogue: The Founders and Us, Hardcover

Contributor(s):

• Author: Joseph J. Ellis

The award-winning author of Founding Brothers and The Quartet now gives us a deeply insightful examination of the relevance of the views of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams to some of the most divisive issues in America today.

The story of history is a ceaseless conversation between past and present, and in American Dialogue Joseph J. Ellis focuses the conversation on the often-asked question "What would the Founding Fathers think?" He examines four of our most seminal historical figures through the prism of particular topics, using the perspective of the present to shed light on their views and, in turn, to make clear how their now centuries-old ideas illuminate the disturbing impasse of today's political conflicts. He discusses Jefferson and the issue of racism, Adams and the specter of economic inequality, Washington and American imperialism, Madison and the doctrine of original intent. Through these juxtapositions--and in his hallmark dramatic and compelling narrative voice--Ellis illuminates the obstacles and pitfalls paralyzing contemporary discussions of these fundamentally important issues.
 
Review citations

• Library Journal Prepub Alert - pg. 43 - 05/15/2018
• Kirkus Reviews / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 55 - 07/15/2018
• Kirkus Reviews / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 55 - 07/15/2018
• Kirkus Reviews / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 55 - 07/15/2018
• Kirkus Reviews / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 55 - 07/15/2018
• Kirkus Reviews / Highly Recommended - pg. 55 - 07/15/2018
• Publishers Weekly / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - 08/20/2018
• Publishers Weekly / Exceptional Presentation - 08/20/2018
• Publishers Weekly / Book Of Special Distinction - 08/20/2018
• Publishers Weekly / Top 15 Book Of The Year - 08/20/2018
• Publishers Weekly / Highly Recommended - 08/20/2018
• Booklist - pg. 32 - 09/01/2018
• Library Journal / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 69 - 10/01/2018
• Library Journal / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 69 - 10/01/2018
• Library Journal / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 69 - 10/01/2018
• Library Journal / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 69 - 10/01/2018
• Library Journal / Highly Recommended - pg. 69 - 10/01/2018