- Audio CD: 13 pages
- Publisher: Blackstone Audio; Audiobook CD edition (Sep 1 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1441756566
- ISBN-13: 978-1441756565
- Product Dimensions: 14.7 x 13.5 x 4.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 386 g
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
“Thomas Fleming is one of our most interesting scholars of the Revolutionary period, and in his insightful latest work he does not disappoint. Focusing on the wives and women of the founding fathers, Intimate Lives is thoroughly fresh, frequently fun, at times touching, and always fascinating. A significant achievement.” (Jay Winik, author of The Great Upheaval and April 1865 )
“With his ample gifts as a novelist and his brilliant historical reach, the esteemed Thomas Fleming never disappoints...A remarkable achievement-- and hard to put down.” (Brenda Wineapple, author of WHITE HEAT: THE FRIENDSHIP OF EMILY DICKINSON AND THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON )
“Tom Fleming is a rare combination - a fine historian and a fine writer. His assessment of George Washington’s relationships with Sally Fairfax and Martha Custis is right on target.” (Peter R. Henriques, author of REALISTIC VISIONARY: A PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON )
This is better than any history book you’ve ever read. (Curled Up with a Good Book ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
“With his ample gifts as a novelist and his brilliant historical reach, the esteemed Thomas Fleming never disappoints...A remarkable achievement-- and hard to put down.” (Brenda Wineapple, author of WHITE HEAT: THE FRIENDSHIP OF EMILY DICKINSON AND THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON )
“Tom Fleming is a rare combination - a fine historian and a fine writer. His assessment of George Washington’s relationships with Sally Fairfax and Martha Custis is right on target.” (Peter R. Henriques, author of REALISTIC VISIONARY: A PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON )
This is better than any history book you’ve ever read. (Curled Up with a Good Book ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
Fleming offers a compelling, intimate look at the founders—George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison—and the women who played essential roles in their lives
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The hearts of our fathers, Nov 24 2009
By wogan "the book reader" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Intimate Lives Of The Founding Fathers (Hardcover)
Thomas Fleming's book is divided into 6 books and an appendix; each book is divided into chapters and in depth sections that show both sides of many historical views. For example the appendix and part of the chapter on Jefferson deals with much of the Jefferson - Sally Hemings debate, showing the various interpretations of the DNA testing results and interviews. Both sides of all historical questions with all the men are well covered. Background and historical facts, incidents are given to explain why these men felt, and acted the way they did. There are 22 pages of notes and a detailed index.The other founding fathers covered are George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
Perhaps the most fascinating inclusions are letters that were sent both by and to these men. They range from mothers, sisters, wives to lovers. The information is easy to interpret and read and understand. Of great interest is the style of writing, their way of thinking and the effect these women had on these men's lives. There is sorrow and happiness and of course some surprising romantic qualities of these men, especially the magnificent love letters of George Washington that most are not aware of.
I have been an interested student of history all of my life; but no where have I read as good an account of Dolly Madison and the British march into Washington. Then there is the description of how Dolly and Eliza Hamilton literally helped to move the funding for the building of the monument that stands to Washington today in DC.
The role the ladies had in the founding father's lives and played in charming political opponents is amazing. Much has already been written of the correspondence between John Adams and Abigail Adams, but there is a great deal of elaboration that is interesting here.
This is a personal understanding of these founding fathers that many have never considered. Anyone who loves history would find this book fascinating.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Romancing the Revolution, Jan 7 2010
By Avid Reader - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Intimate Lives Of The Founding Fathers (Hardcover)
Hard as I try, I find it impossible to award this book anything but five stars. The title can be misleading. It is NOT a set of tales about mistresses, girlfriends or extramarital "affairs". It is, instead, a brilliant study of six founding fathers - Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton and Madison - and the influence of the women on their lives whether they be mothers, wives, friends, daughters or sisters.Remarkably, four of the six had strong marriages where wives were, in 18th century parlance, their "friend", the highest compliment one could give a spouse. (Think of the letters of Abagail and John - "Dear Friend") Hamilton and Franklin were the exception but even Hamilton and his wife reconciled and she remained faithful to his reputation after death. Most importantly, the author tackles and dispels many urban legends that seem almost unbiquitous today. ("Everyone knows that....") Some tales are demonstrably wrong (people, location, dates). Others make no sense in light of personal letters and actions while others appeared first in the heat of political campaigns or long after they supposedly occurred.
The men and women revealed in these vignettes ("books") are all too human and yet are paradoxically "great". The Founding Fathers seemed intoxicated by women and strangely, all were "romantics", uncommon for the times. Jefferson occupies a central role as we continue reassessing his life and contributions. Like many intellectuals, his private life was at odds with his noble public declarations. He owned slaves, displayed cowardice, incredible mismanagement, impatience, disloyalty and hypocricy that becomes more apparent the more one learns of him (David McCullough's view). Yet there is the Declaration of Independence and a nobility in his devotion to his beloved wife and unfortunate deathbed promise not to remarry.
The old adage "Trouble brings a couple closer" was never truer than in the case of Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison where many times, their spouse seemed like their sole supporter. The evolving role of women in the national debate was ably illustrated by the indomitable Dolly Madison who transformed the role of spouse into that of First Lady. These men became who they were and accomplished what they did because (and in many cases) despite the women in their lives. My Grade - A+
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tom Fleming Does It Again, Nov 15 2009
By David E. Kane "publisher" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Intimate Lives Of The Founding Fathers (Hardcover)
I just finished "The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers," and I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in the "other side" of the lives of these men. Having been a student of American history for years, I was astounded to find out what I did not know about their private lives. Mr. Fleming, has once again created a highly readable, yet erudite contribution to the genre of Revolutionary-era American history. This is a fine gift for any history aficionado, including yourself. I just we could have published it!
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