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We live in a country that expanded to cover a continent, was torn apart by a long, bloody civil war, underwent an industrial revolution, fought in two world wars, became a super power, developed nuclear energy, experienced a civil rights movement, and put men on the moon. Yet, when we ask ourselves who we are and what it means to be American, we still look back to the very early days of our nation for the answers, when this country of ours was taking its first breaths, and struggling for its very existence.

In his Pulitzer Prize winning book, Founding Brothers, Joseph J. Ellis examines the men who we still look to for inspiration and guidance: John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. He focuses on six significant events: Burr and Hamilton's infamous duel, a dinner party in which the site of the capitol was determined, Franklin's petition to end slavery, Washington's farewell address, Adam's presidency, and the final correspondences between Adams and Jefferson. Ellis uses these events to teach valuable lessons about the men who shaped the American republic.

By focusing on a select group of dramatic incidents, Ellis' narrative comes to life. These dusty, old men who adorn our currency become living, breathing, human beings. Ellis' vivid writing style and storytelling abilities make the book as entertaining as it is informative. Too often today it seems that we are determined to tear down our heroes. So much of today's literature focuses on the founding fathers' shortcomings. Certainly, some of these problems are extremely troubling - most notably with regards to slavery. While Ellis does not ignore these important issues, he nevertheless is not afraid to portray these individuals as the heroes and idols that they truly are. Their flaws do not make them any less heroic - rather, the fact that these men were human makes their accomplishments that much more extraordinary.

The theory that Ellis proposes is that America arose out of conflict. Not just the conflict between the patriotic colonists and the British Empire, but more importantly, the conflict between the competing views of the founding fathers themselves - most notably Jeffersonian egalitarianism and individualism on the one hand, and the Federalist vision of a strong, centralized republic on the other. Rather than cast a shadow on one of these two groups and idolize the other, Ellis portrays both as necessary and vital parts in the formation of the nation. Ellis believes that the different ideas that this small group of men brought to the table, and the delicate balance between the two, are what make America the great nation that it is today. He views the competing debate between federalism and states' rights, and individual freedoms and societal duties and responsibilities, as the enduring legacy of the founding brothers.

In these troubling times, I believe that it is important for us to look to our heroes for guidance, rather than dwell on their imperfections. These seven flawed, but gifted, men had an amazing vision of a republic in which freedom and independence could be treasured and preserved. They had a unique idea of what it means to be an American, what the American nation means, and why these ideas were worth fighting and dying for. If ever there was a time to be reminded of this dream, it is now.

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(Submitted 11/1/01 by Cleveland lawyer Julio.)