Founding Fathers: The Shaping Of America

by Gerry Souter, Janet Souter

Our Founding Fathers: The Shaping of America tells the story of six formidable Americans—George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison—and how they persevered for 50 years of battle and bare-knuckle government to forge a nation. Known as the “Founding Fathers,” these six men, heavy lifters and shapers of American institutions, were examples of the best of the 18th century and morally dedicated to the creation of a free country.

A fully illustrated 64–page book with 15 removable facsimile documents brings the era and events to life as never before. Removable documents include:

Thomas Jefferson’s first draft of the Declaration of Independence with scratch-outs and marginal comments by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin
A letter requesting a truce sent by the British General, Cornwallis, to Washington on October 17, 1781
Examples of the Federalist Papers—essays written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, which argued for the creation of a constitution.
The Bill of Rights, written by James Madison
President George Washington’s notes for his inaugural address as the first President of the USA
A letter by President Thomas Jefferson to his secretary Meriwether Lewis, requesting Lewis take charge of creating the “Corps of Discover”

Genres: History, American History

58 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kate Ly Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book I was forced to read in high school for a pointless assignment

[Jamie Jonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work deserves a fourth star on the basis of patriotism and passion. The writing itself ranges from pretty good to barely adequate, yet the book is so well-organized and so rich in pictures and details that it still rates high with me. Reproductions of various documents important to U.S. history are provided in sleeves within the volume--some are almost unreadable because of deterioration of the original ink and the near-undecipherable script of the times, but again the admirable intent of presentation is there.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for these types of books. This is a brief, introductory history of the most famous founding fathers and the founding and establishment of the United States. Each topic is covered in a two page spread with pictures and an overview of the events being described. Additionally, there are four pockets in the book containing replicas of important documents.