BIOGRAPHIES OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS - THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE:

http://colonialhall.com/biodoi.php

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE WIVES OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE:

http://colonialhall.com/biodoiwives.php

[Joe]

I found this little book at a local bookstore, and thought it was quite interesting. The authors wrote short biographies of each signer of the Declaration of Independence and packaged it into a short 256 pages. The book's intent is to educate the reader about our founding document and it's signer's, and it's done quite well in a fun and entertaining tone. Also, which is very cool, on the back of the unfolded dust-jacket is a replica of the Declaration of Independence.

Signing Their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence by Joseph D'Agnese (Goodreads author), & Denise Kiernan

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[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

This is such a gem...where do you find these books?

In setting up The History Book Club..I felt it was important to start with the basics and embed them into the structure of the group. Gives everyone the basics which can be referenced. This is just that kind of book.

[Joe]

I love spending time perusing the shelves at bookstores. :-)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I can see that and you are very good at it too. :-)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

This is an interesting Washington Post article about the Founding Fathers called:

Founding Mudslingers

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

Edward J. Larson

Larson won the Pulitzer Prize for History for the book Summer for the Gods The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion

[Bryan]

Baron on Beacon Hill: A Biography of John Hancock

William M. Fowler

No Synopsis available.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

That looks like an interesting find Bryan.

[Bryan]

He signed both the Articles and Declaration of Independence.

[Bryan]

Benjamin Rush: Patriot and Physician

by Alyn Brodsky (no photo)

Synopsis:

The only full biography of Benjamin Rush, an extraordinary Founding Father and America's leading physician of the Colonial era

While Benjamin Rush appears often and meaningfully in biographies about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, this legendary man is presented as little more than a historical footnote. Yet, he was a propelling force in what culminated in the Declaration of Independence, to which he was a cosigner.

Rush was an early agitator for independence, a member of the First Continental Congress, and one of the leading surgeons of the Continental Army during the early phase of the American Revolution. He was an constant and indefatigable adviser to the foremost figures of the American Revolution, notably George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.

Even if he had not played a major role in our country's creation, Rush would have left his mark in history as an eminent physician and a foremost social reformer in such areas as medical teaching, treatment of the mentally ill (he is considered the Father of American Psychiatry), international prevention of yellow fever, establishment of public schools, implementation of improved education for women, and much more.

[Jerome, Assisting Moderator - Upcoming Books and Releases]

Robert Morris: Financier of the American Revolution

by Charles Rappleye (no photo)

Synopsis:

In this biography, the acclaimed author of Sons of Providence, winner of the 2007 George Washington Book Prize, recovers an immensely important part of the founding drama of the country in the story of Robert Morris, the man who financed Washington’s armies and the American Revolution. Morris started life in the colonies as an apprentice in a counting house. By the time of the Revolution he was a rich man, a commercial and social leader in Philadelphia. He organized a clandestine trading network to arm the American rebels, joined the Second Continental Congress, and financed George Washington’s two crucial victories—Valley Forge and the culminating battle at Yorktown that defeated Cornwallis and ended the war.

The leader of a faction that included Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Washington, Morris ran the executive branches of the revolutionary government for years. He was a man of prodigious energy and adroit management skills and was the most successful businessman on the continent. He laid the foundation for public credit and free capital markets that helped make America a global economic leader. But he incurred powerful enemies who considered his wealth and influence a danger to public "virtue" in a democratic society.

After public service, he gambled on land speculations that went bad, and landed in debtors prison, where George Washington, his loyal friend, visited him.

This once wealthy and powerful man ended his life in modest circumstances, but Rappleye restores his place as a patriot and an immensely important founding father.

[Bryan]

Elbridge Gerry, Founding Father and Republican Statesman

(no image) Elbridge Gerry, Founding Father and Republican Statesman by George Athan Billias (no photo)

There is also an article on Gerry from NARA:

http://www.archives.gov/publications/...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I did find this article about him which you might want to add to message 13 -

http://www.archives.gov/publications/...

And if you scroll though this link - there is a review of the book.

http://journals.psu.edu/wph/article/v...

[Teri]

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

by Benjamin Franklin

Synopsis:

Few men could compare to Benjamin Franklin. Virtually self-taught, he excelled as an athlete, a man of letters, a printer, a scientist, a wit, an inventor, an editor, and a writer, and he was probably the most successful diplomat in American history. David Hume hailed him as the first great philosopher and great man of letters in the New World.

Written initially to guide his son, Franklin's autobiography is a lively, spellbinding account of his unique and eventful life. Stylistically his best work, it has become a classic in world literature, one to inspire and delight readers everywhere.

[Teri]

John Adams: A Tireless Leader

by T P Karamanis (no photo)

Synopsis:

Great nations always cherish their heroes with utmost honor and prestige; it is because these heroes reach to the distinguished status after a long way of struggle and fight. The national heroes are always blessed with some unprecedented talent and competency which makes them different from all others. Not only they attain professional excellence but the major reason of their prominent presence is the set of struggles for the nation as a whole. As a result, the national heroes remain in the pages of history for even decades.

Following the important connotation of tribute, this book will cater the life history of another heroic figure of American history, John Adams. He had lived many years of his life for the political struggle and betterment of the nation. This upcoming biography will reveal the following important aspects of John Adam’s life:

• The introductory narration about John Adams aimed at making the reader familiar with the various contributions and achievements made by John Adams

• A detailed account of his early life, narrating the upbringing and childhood life with a major focus on his academic life and early schooling

• A complete account of the prominent career of John Adams as a lawyer and his efforts to flourish in the field of law

• A discussion about his active political career and his achievement to become the president, with an account of electoral campaign forwarded in the election.

• A narration of his post-retirement life with special focus on his family and social life

[Teri]

The Signers: The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence

by Dennis Brindell Fradin

Synopsis:

For more than 225 years these words have inspired men and women in countries the world over to risk everything in pursuit of these lofty ideals. When they first appeared in our nation's birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence, they were a call to action for a colony on the brink of rebellion. The 56 men who dared to sign their names to this revolutionary document knew they were putting their reputations, their fortunes, and their very lives on the line by boldly and publicly declaring their support for liberty and freedom. As Benjamin Franklin said as he signed his name, "We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately!"

Who were these men who are the first heroes of our nation? Award-winning team of author Dennis Brindell Fradin and illustrator Michael McCurdy bring their considerable talents together to illuminate the lives of these valiant men, ranging from the poorest farmers to the wealthiest merchants, whose dauntless courage inspired thousands of colonists to risk all for freedom.