Jefferson's America, 1760-1815

By Norman K. Risjord

Book Overview

A captivating and lucid narrative of America's revolutionary generation, Jefferson's America takes the reader from the earliest rumblings of colonial dissent, through the crises of revolution and nation-making, to the heroic drama of the War of 1812. Norman K. Risjord deftly weaves together strands of biography and social history with military and political history to depict the rich fabric of the young republic. While most writers on this period conclude with the end of the Revolution, the ratification of the Constitution, or the election of Jefferson, Risjord contends that there is a fundamental continuity in the history of the Early Republic. The basic problems involved in creating a stable, representative government were not resolved until the "second war of independence," a symbolic end for the Revolutionary generation, which produced a sense of national unity and determined the viability of the new nation. Risjord incorporates new social and economic perspectives, and he deals suggestively with the struggle over "who shall rule at home." Yet he still presents the pivotal events of the War for Independence, the framing of the Constitution, the "Revolution of 1800," and the War of 1812 in an interesting and understandable way. This is no watered-down version of the national myth, but a subtle and well-told story. Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0945612257
• ISBN13: 9780945612254
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Madison House Pub
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 8.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent text for students of Revolutionary America

This text provides an introductory insight into the life of an eighteenth century American. Risjord combines detailed comment with a listing of relevant sources. It is an excellent springboard for further study and has been of infinite use in my studies. It is well-structured, adopts an elementary tone and is easy to use. It is different from other texts in that it encompasses the revolutionary era, birth of the constitution and ascendancy of Jeffersonian Republicanism. Even for those not studying the era it is a good read.