American Sphinx: The Revolutionary Generation By Joseph J. Ellis Summary
Joseph J. Ellis is an American writer and professor at the University of Massachusetts. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University. His studies focus on the founding of the United States, giving special attention to the founding fathers. He has written several books focusing on founding fathers such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. His book, American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson, won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 1997. In 2001, Ellis was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in history his book Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Ellis is definitely qualified to write a book on the most important founder of the United States: George Washington.
Ellis chooses to focus primarily on three …show more content…
In the introduction, Ellis describes how Washington is often put on a pedestal, as many presidents are. Washington however, is admired at a distance it seems. He is often pictured as an intimidating, almost God-like figure. Ellis attempts to humanize Washington by sharing many of Washington’s personal characteristics. For example, Ellis observes that Washington did not take criticism well when his personal motives were questioned. Overall, I think that Ellis remained relatively objective in his writing. He did tend to favor Washington, yet it would be a challenge to remain completely objective towards the most prominent man in American history. Washington is honored, respected, and celebrated by Ellis, and he deserves it.
Joseph Ellis presented one of the most humanistic accounts of George Washington that I have ever encountered. For that reason, I think that Ellis’s approach to the life of Washington has proven to be valuable. His work could be found in equal merit with other historians such as David McCullough. The overall quality of the book is outstanding and contains very few errors in historical accuracy. Ellis’s work was original, relying on primary sources to showcase his research. Ellis brings information from the life of George Washington to create an enjoyable, enlightening read for
Ellis chooses to focus primarily on three …show more content…
In the introduction, Ellis describes how Washington is often put on a pedestal, as many presidents are. Washington however, is admired at a distance it seems. He is often pictured as an intimidating, almost God-like figure. Ellis attempts to humanize Washington by sharing many of Washington’s personal characteristics. For example, Ellis observes that Washington did not take criticism well when his personal motives were questioned. Overall, I think that Ellis remained relatively objective in his writing. He did tend to favor Washington, yet it would be a challenge to remain completely objective towards the most prominent man in American history. Washington is honored, respected, and celebrated by Ellis, and he deserves it.
Joseph Ellis presented one of the most humanistic accounts of George Washington that I have ever encountered. For that reason, I think that Ellis’s approach to the life of Washington has proven to be valuable. His work could be found in equal merit with other historians such as David McCullough. The overall quality of the book is outstanding and contains very few errors in historical accuracy. Ellis’s work was original, relying on primary sources to showcase his research. Ellis brings information from the life of George Washington to create an enjoyable, enlightening read for