SEVEN WHO SHAPED OUR DESTINY

by Richard B. Morris ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 1973

A group of biographical sketches intended to show why selected Founding Fathers became rebels and how they saw their rebellion. Morris, a prominent historian, chooses to dwell genially on their personal lives -- Franklin's romances, for example, and John Adams' ""wonderful apprehension of sensuous experience."" The others are Jay, a late but firm revolutionary who exemplified the ""men of wealth and talent in New York who shared a common dream while declining to stoop to demagoguery or extremism""; Washington, an earnest businessman and ""never a militarist"" unlike Hamilton, the ""immigrant waif"" who always felt a certain alienation from America; Jefferson, who distinctly lacked stamina as governor of Virginia during the War of Independence; and Madison, ""perhaps the most neurotic of the Seven."" Morris stresses that, although few were concerned about upholding civil liberties during the Revolution, all sustained a general ""sense of legality and moderation"" despite their rebellious role. From his scrutiny of their lives he rather primly concludes that while of course they were men of principle, it was their fortuitous family connections and other associations that confirmed their allegiance to colonial independence. Scarcely Plutarchian, but enjoyable and edifying.

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION