Can anyone give me some authors that write about the founding fathers? I’ve read that Barton was found to be inaccurate. How about Ellis or Meacham.
If you have any books that you suggest, I’d like to hear that too.
I would try to read as many of the founding fathers own writing since many of them were prolific writers. In terms of current books, I would read from several authors and I would definitely check the copyright dates to ensure a balance because IMO alot of the work on American history in the last 20 years or so has a revisionist bent on it.
Any idea where I should start with the founders writings? As far as others writings, look for books written 20 years ago or more?
I loved Founding Brothers by Ellis, it’s snap shot bio, not a complete history.
http://www.amazon.com/Founding-Brothers-The-Revolutionary-Generation/dp/0375705244
I agree with reading the primary sources as not only are most historians biased to the left, many of the Federalist Founding Fathers who lost some of there arguments for a stronger central government went about immediately trying to shape the history of what actually happened in Philadelphia that summer.
I would get Madison’s notes for the Constitutional convention as well as the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers. Also read the notes from the ratification debates.
As far as modern historians, Leonard Levy’s “Origins of the Bill of Rights” is in my opinion a very unbiased account of the BORs.
“The Heritage Guide to the Constitution” is also a great resource.
Ellis is a bit of a revisionist historian probably voted for Obama:nono:
A very libertarian/Jeffersonian (accurate imho) view of the Contitution is Gutzmans “Politically Incorrect Guide to Constitution”. When compared to the actual word of the FFs, Gutzmans book is very accurate and scholarly. Don’t be deterred by the title, it’s a very serious book.
Mark Levins new book “Ameritopia” is an excellent discussion of the influences of the Founding Fathers vs socialists.
Avoid any author who makes any statements hinting that the Constitution is a “living document” other than through the amendment process. This is the signature of a modern big government lefty trying to rewrite history to suit their agenda.
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fedpapers.html
The original text of the Federalist Papers (also known as The Federalist) was obtained from the e-text archives of Project Gutenberg. View or download the entire plain text version of all of the Federalist Papers as supplied by Project Gutenberg. Information and Disclaimer for the Gutenberg version of The Federalist. For more information, see About the Federalist Papers.
Besides the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, I would look at the Federalist Papers, Franklin’s autobiography, and the Library of Congress does have many of the founders writings online.
I’m not saying you should avoid recent books but to do research on them and don’t rely exclusively on more recent books. I would be very skeptical on authors trying to push the view that the Constitution is a “living document.”
I’ll have to check these out.
Wow, you guys are awesome. Old State thanks a lot that’s a ton to start with.
Bookmarked your last link and bought every thing you listed Old State.
Enjoy!
Gutzmans book is very academic, but very interesting. I bought it on cd as well and listened to it several times in the car.
It’s by far my favorite book on the history of the Constitution and the Supreme Court. Hopefully it’s been updated for the Heller and McDonald gun cases. The real story of the Constitution is NOTHING like you were thought in school. It’s a down right conspiracy that schools omit such truths but its why people put up with so much government BS.
While it covers a wider range than just the Founding Fathers, I’d recommend “To America: Personal Reflections of an Historian by Ambrose.”
Lots of reading. Somehow I’ll find the time.