I enjoyed this book tremendously. It destroyed a lot of previously held ideas and images I had of Benjamin Franklin, and often made me feel as if I were right there, at that time, observing all of the political infighting that went on between our forefathers.

Mr. Randall paints a vivid picture about the cost of success in colonial times, dipicting the struggle of a young William to step out of his esteemed father's shadow. Mr. Randall gives the reader a peek into a era of american history that not only tore apart a future nation but many families as well, and allows them to see both points of view of the loyalist vs patriot battle. This book is a MUST!!!! for all history buffs, my only regret is not getting a hardcover, because this book should be the anchor for everyones collection

Mr. Randall does history a great diservice in his flawed and shallow interpretation of the march to Quebec in 1775. He resorts to rumor-mongoring in the handling of the local Maine heros involved with the mission. Particularly concerning Major Reuben Colburn who organized the expedition and built the 220 bateaux in under two weeks time. I am the grandson of Colburn and writing a biography of his life. Randall openly accuses him of fraudulent selfish behavior in providing these services for his country. Even alleging Colburn knowingly passed up stores of dried lumber in Falmouth on his way home to Pittston to save money by substituting his own green pine which was heavy and later opened up during the river journey under the abuse of inexperience boatmen and a shallow stream. These charges are false, but then Randall couldn't even get the mapmaker Samuel Goodwin's name correct, calling him "Goodrich," perhaps confusing him with Capt. Goodrich one of the company commanders on the march; except to suggest that his maps requested from him by Colburn were purposely misleading, because of Goodwin's Tory leanings. The leanings were true, but the maps were as accurate as could be found at the time. Besides, Arnold used the outdated version of Montressor's anyway, but it allows the author to lay further blame on Colburn, which appears to be his thesis. Colburn was never paid for the bateaux and supplies; he only received 26 pounds from Washington, and traveled with the expedition repairing the bateaux as they went, without fear of repercussions from the ragtag army struggling against the stream. Some bateaux made it all the way to Quebec but you won't learn that from this book. I recommend James Kirby Martin for a reasoned handling of this chapter in Arnold's life.

This book offers insight into the complex, controversial and ever-changing political landscape of the American Revolution. Benedict Arnold personifies the kaleidoscopic nature of loyalties, betrayals and intrigue prevalent during the War, circumstances much of which determined his course in life. In those days, most citizens were not revolutionaries but either loyalists or non-participants. Arnold's ambitions and abilities were manipulated by his constant striving for recognition and wealth. His inconsistency in allegiance reflected the inconsistencies of society and geography. Unlike Washington whose stability was based on his status as a general, statesman, politician and aristocrat, Arnold was a maverick sometime general and contraband entrepreneur seeking permanent social status, which was denied him throughout his life. Consequently, he jumped sides, outmaneuvering himself and suffering the consequences of traitor to both the new republic and England.

Randall's work is strikingly well researched and thoroughly engaging. His book traces Arnold's early years and his efforts in the American cause and gives an incredibly fair and detailed treatment to the events leading up to Arnold's betrayal of his country. In the face of Arnold's legendary infamy, for which for centuries his name was scorned, Randall allows Arnold a fair hearing and the reader the chance to see a broader picture. The Arnold portrayed by Randall is an Arnold, to an extent, abused by his congressional masters and denied the honours rightly due to him in the cause for which fought.

Randall reveals the Arnold, who not only fought bravely for his country, but at considerable personal sacrifice. Indeed the Arnold of Randall's scholarly work is one equal in valour to Washington himself but one who, perhaps even wisely, was far from willing to bear the unjust suffering inflicted, not only by his enemy the British, but from his countrymen as well.

No doubt the patriotic words of Wilfrid Owen, 'dulce et decorum est pro patria mori' are all well and good. But they're difficult to maintain in the face of obstinate compatriots.

Other reviewers have complained that this book gives too brief a treatment to Jefferson's presidential and post-presidential years, and certainly, if you're interested in a thorough study of Jefferson's presidency, this isn't the book for you. But it is, after all, called "Thomas Jefferson: A Life", not "Thomas Jefferson: A President". About 50 pages are devoted to the eight years of Jefferson's presidency, out of a touch less than 600 pages. Not an unreasonable percentage to devote to eight years out of a touch over eighty. Granted, his post-presidential years are skimmed over quite briefly, and could have been given a bit more attention, but it's a minor quibble.

The major quibble is that the writing style can get a bit ponderous at times; I occasionally found myself struggling to keep my eyes open if at all drowsy. But the book is certainly worth a read for anyone interested in a close look at our third president, and the writer of the Declaration of Independence.

With this tome Randall gives us a fairly complete look at Jefferson. It is written very objectively, which is refreshing while so many other "historians" attempt to stir up controversy to increase sales. I believe that Randall has said that he originally only intended on writing of Jefferson's years in Europe. The result of that is a thorough and very interesting look at that time in Jefferson's life. There are only a couple negative aspects to this fine book. First, it is slightly imbalanced. Too much is written about Jefferson's years as a lawyer (a section which tends to get a little dry) and too little about the years of his presidency and after, when he was retired. The other problem is that certain events aren't mentioned in their proper time. When reading about Jefferson's election campaigns one finally learns of certain events that occured more than two decades prior. Other than these relatively minor flaws it is a very enjoyable read. It leaves one with a very thorough picture of Jefferson's life and clearly shows the impact that this man had on our nation.

Randall's biography is a great read and provides thorough coverage of the man as a lawyer, an intellect, an eloquent writer, and a diplomat. One who reads this work will find that Jefferson almost single-handedly developed the political structure and ideology upon which the United States was founded. I was especially intrigued in reading of Jefferson's personal relationships, with his wife, with a married woman, Maria Cosway with whom he had an affair while in Paris, and with other great Americans of his generation. The only thing I regret is that the book skims over Jefferson's life during his presidency and afterwards. Less than two chapters are devoted to these important periods of his life. Nevertheless, the reader will not be disappointed with this book since it is written with skill and thorough research.

I enjoyed the story of Tom Quick and don't miss the gestapo like orders of George Washington to erase the Deleware Indians from the face of the earth.

"Forgotten Americans" is a worthy attempt to bring back to our collective memory some historical figures who have been tarnished by history or just only briefly mentioned, if at all, in contemporary school books. Randall and Nahra pick their subjects ranging from the settling of the American Colonies to the early twentieth century. Some of the chapters discuss the neglected aspects of famous Americans, Thomas Jefferson and his vacation or Benjamin Franklin's shattered relationship with his Loyalist son, William; other chapters explore early abolitionists, Indian fighters, suffragists, evangelists and other Americans who, although not be remembered, shaped our country. "Forgotten Americans" is a illuminating exploration of our historical backwaters. Recommended.

This book is a wonderful way of learning history. By focusing on very ordinary people (or on forgotten figures) who experienced extraordinary events, Randall has once more demonstrated how studying American history can be both informative and downright fun. I liked it very much. It might lack the depth of his earler works on Arnold, Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington, but it is still worth the read and, in the end, we learn some very interesting stories about our history!

As I struggled to finish this book, my only thought was to tell other people what a horrible book this was. It is very poorly written. The focus changes within a few paragraphs and the author goes back and forth in time in ways that is very confusing. Having read Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers and David McCullough's John Adams in recent years, I was curious about Hamilton and how he antognized these two political opposites. But, as another reviewer pointed out, there is very little written about his last 10 years. There is a few paragraphs about Jefferson and Madison funding a Philadelphia newspaper to rival Hamilton's newspaper -- but there is never any mention of his starting or writing anything for that paper. His starting the New York Post rates only a sentence. I'm afraid I will need to seek out another biography of Hamilton to learn anything (besides his affairs) that occured after the Revolutionary War.

This is a well written book that will interest most people. Randall focuses primarily on Hamilton's childhood and his time in the Continental Army. It sheds very little light on Hamilton's political career. Randall almost forgets what Hamilton accomplished after the war in shaping america( which is remarkable). The book is 70% about Hamilton in the army, which is interesting. So if you are interested in reading a book about Hamilton in the army this will entertain you. If you are interested in Hamilton's political career after the war I would reccomend another book. But overall this is a well written book.

Willard Sterne Randall's biography of Alexander Hamilton joins the recent glut of books covering America's colonial period that have either focused on Hamilton or featured him prominently. Randall's highly readable account of Hamilton's life brings into sharp focus the man who was Thomas Jefferson's ideological counterpoint in the two competeing governing philosopys that emerged from the American Revolution. Ironically, while the aristocratic Jefferson became the champion of the "common man," it was the "commoner" Hamilton who came to favor a strong central government at the expense of individual (and state's) rights.

Hamilton's rise from the illegitimate son of a West Indies merchant to the very heights of power at a time when such avenues were normally reserved for nobility make him America's first great self-made man. Most of the other founding fathers were from either the aristocrat or merchantile classes. Hamilton, whose family's entire modest estate was confiscated at the time of his mother's death when he was a boy, was possessed of the unique ambition of an insecure man who spent his life trying to overcome his humble origins. As Randall demonstrates, Hamilton's close relationship with George Washington, who recognized his junior's incredible organizational and intellectual gifts, was of key importance to the latter's success.

The text of the book is quite sympathetic its subject, perhaps overly so at times. Though Randall does not ignore the less noble aspects of Hamilton's character, he strives whenever possible to show him in the best possible light. Thus Aaron Burr, who actually made his own important contributions to the nation, comes off mostly as a despicable villian. Burr will always be infamous for firing the bullet that ended Hamilton's life, but Hamilton was equally at fault for the feud that ended so tragically.

Oveall, Randall's book is an enjoyable and enlightening work that will most appeal to history buffs.

Although providing some interesting insight into Washington's domestic life; his relationships with his mother, his wife, step-children, and step grandchildren, Randall's book lacks precision and accuracy. The many factual errors in dates and events are enough to make this book a chore to read for any who may be a serious student of Washington. The author uses and reuses the same quotes, often withing 1 or 2 pages in the text. Additionally, Randall is lacking in military knowledge, as he has made several errors regarding military terms or equipment and its usage. Oh, and yes, we all know that Henry Knox was fat, but we don't need to be reminded of it every time he is mentioned.

George Washington : A Life by Willard Sterne Randall presents our first president's life in a thoughtful, yet utterly fascinating way. It focuses in particular, on his early life in a manner sharply different from earlier biographies. His portrait of the young Washington is vivid, placing his life in the context of his relationships with both his mother and brother.

While the book flows relatively well, there are often breaks in the narrative due to the author's tendency to summarize a portion of each chapter in the beginning, then go over the material in greater (but often conflicting detail). A more thorough editing of the book would have picked up most of these inconsistencies.

However, the author treats his subject well, neither worshipping at the altar of Washington, nor castigating the man for not meeting the ideals of 20th century political correctness. The examination of Washington's life and character, including flaws, presents the man as an individual as well as a product of his times. It is well worth the time and makes for an enjoyable afternoon under the shade.

I read this book in hopes of learning more about the nation's first president. I have always found Washington to be a fascinating person but I never did know very many details about his personal life. In school we learn about the legend who overcame great odds and could do no wrong when leading this nation into freedom and independence. Willard Randall focuses on George Washington the man by providing you with an interesting insight into Washington's personal relationships, his shortcomings and his ambitions. The book also focuses on his early career as a soldier in the French and Indian War and as a member of General Braddock's ill-fated expedition. It does an excellent job of describing the environment and events which led Washington to make the decision to lead the Continental army against the British knowing that he would lose everything if he was not successful. There are probably other books on George Washington that are more detailed and thorough but if you want a general overview that is interesting and easy to read then this is the book that I highly recommend.