The Patriots: Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Making of America

by Winston Groom

In this masterful narrative, Winston Groom brings his signature storytelling panache to the intricately crafted tale of three of our nation's most fascinating founding fathers--Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams--and paints a vivid picture of the improbable events, bold ideas, and extraordinary characters who created the United States of America.

When the Revolutionary War ended in victory, there remained the stupendous problem of how to establish a workable democratic government in the vast, newly independent country. Three key founding fathers played significant roles: John Adams, the brilliant, dour, thin-skinned New Englander; Thomas Jefferson, the aristocratic Southern renaissance man; and Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the Caribbean island of Nevis. In this complex and riveting narrative, best-selling author Winston Groom tells the story of these men--all of whom served in George Washington's first cabinet--as the patriots fundamentally responsible for the ideas that shaped the foundation of the United States. Their lives and policies could not have been more different; their relationships with each other were complex, and often rife with animosity. And yet these three men led the charge--two of them creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, and the third establishing a national treasury and the earliest delineation of a Republican party. The time in which they lived was fraught with danger; the smell of liberty was in the air, though their excitement was strained by vast antagonisms that recall the intense political polarization of today. But through it all, they managed to shoulder the heavy mantle of creating the United States of America, putting aside their differences to make a great country, once and always. Drawing on extensive correspondence, epic tales of war, and rich histories of their day-to-day interactions, best-selling author Winston Groom shares the remarkable story of the beginnings of our great nation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, American History, American Revolution, Presidents, Audiobook

464 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2020

About the author

Winston Francis Groom Jr. was an American novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for his book Forrest Gump, which was adapted into a film in 1994. Groom was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Mobile, Alabama where he attended University Military School (now known as UMS-Wright Preparatory School). He attended the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta and the Army ROTC, and graduated in 1965. He served in the Army from 1965 to 1969, including a tour in Vietnam. Groom devoted his time to writing history books about American wars. More recently he had lived in Point Clear, Alabama, and Long Island, New York.

Reviews

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-written popular history treads familiar ground, but I still had fun reading it. The WSJ review remains the one to read, and I've excerpted it below. The book does get a bit simplistic at times, but perhaps simplicity is a virtue. 3.5 stars, recommended reading, especially if you are in the mood for a light retelling of early American history. Good stuff. This is Groom's last book: he died in September 2020.

According to the WSJ reviewer, if we wished politics was like it was back in 1800 or so, we should be careful what we wish for! https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-patr... (Paywalled. As always, I'm happy to email a copy to non-subscribers)
Excerpts:
"The election of 1800 was so savagely fought that it resulted in a deadly duel, a constitutional amendment and lifelong estrangement among the Founding Fathers. Whatever we might think of modern political discourse, present-day mud-slingers are relative amateurs when stacked against their 18th-century forebears. ...

For all Hamilton’s latter-day fame, it is Adams whom Groom paints in the most vibrant colors, beginning with his first words on America’s second president: “John Adams was obnoxious. He said so himself. He talked too much and wrote that he wished he didn’t. He was irritable and wished he wasn’t.” But, Groom adds, “He was brilliant and well-read and energetic to a fault—‘a great-hearted, persevering man of uncommon ability and force. . . . He was honest and everyone knew it.’ ” ...

Jefferson, the polymath from Virginia, evokes Groom’s admiration. “Thomas Jefferson was a true Renaissance man,” he writes. “He was a student of philosophy and law, a scientist, inventor, architect, musician, and lover of fine things—a man of vision.” Yet the overleveraged planter, slaveowner and Southern aristocrat could also be “secretive, sly, and cunning” as he morphed into a canny politician after his return from France in 1789. ..."

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winston Groom wrote In THE PATRIOTS about three extraordinary men, the founding fathers of this great nation, the United States of America.

Groom as a master storyteller and novelist delivered stories against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War full of dramatic moments as ideas and events shape this country. Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams’ stories were powerful, action packed full of twists and turns - Groom tells the story full of insights to how this country was built brick by brick, giving more than a sneak peak into the room where decisions are made. These celebrated men are an example to our leaders today and reading their stories full of dreams, ambition and passion were truly inspirational.

These three men all served under George Washington’s first cabinet and who were responsible for shaping our country as we see it today. Full of strife, differences and polarization, these men could not have been more different from each other, but together two of them created and signed the Declaration of Independence, and the third established the national treasury and the formation of the Republican Party.

I do love reading stories about beginnings, how everything started, and learning about the root of our nation’s humble beginnings. Drawing from stories in the battlefield and correspondence, the details and narrative in which this was presented was a marvel and a delight to read. I loved that it read like a novel, the storytelling, timing and vivid scenery and rich detail of the day to day happenings about these powerful men were exceptionally portrayed.

A must read for us all who care about this nation and how we can all make a difference by understanding our history and our beginnings.

[Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for every American, especially teenagers in all High Schools history classes. Sorry to hear that Winston Groom passed away in 2020. He was a Master Historian.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a story of three of the founding fathers of the United States of America. Those men, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, & Thomas Jefferson make for good reading. Of the three, Hamilton was more of an unknown to me.

One of the most interesting parts of the book are the difficulties the nation faced at the end of the revolutionary war. It is amazing that the thing even got off the ground. The hardships of travel & communication from distances would have been maddening.

The early years of both Adams & Jefferson were fairly well known to me. I was also familiar with the brewing strain to their relationship after being quite close. The details of their deaths is almost beyond belief.

The section dealing with Hamilton & the illicit romance & the constant badgering from his enemies was engrossing. Then the built up to the duel with Aaron Burr was like a coming train wreck that I couldn’t stop watching.

I enjoyed the book & the way the author weaved the lives of each man together. It is worthy of mentioning the incredible quality of people that worked together to fashion this nation. They were thinkers & doers. They planned & then they acted. They were certainly men that were flawed & imperfect. Yet, they achieved monumental things.

Good book.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good – it’s non fiction that reads so easy. The author does an excellent job of bringing the history alive so that the reader feels like they are there with the Revolutionaries as they fight for what will become the United States of America.

The book focuses on three of our founding fathers; Jefferson, Hamilton, and John Adams. We learn a little of their early lives but while the book is about the men there is a fourth and greater character – the country. It is the separation from England and the formation of a government that seeks to unite the people as citizes of the United States rather than as colonists of England. It was not a smooth or easy process and truth be told it’s rather miraculous that it worked.

It’s been a very long time since I had any American History classes in high school and my college studies were all European history because that is were my passion lies but as I get older I find myself wanting to learn more of the truth of my own country’s history and therefore I read.

The founding of this country was an extraordinary event. The men who built it were intelligent and determined to create a new government – one without a king. They were not perfect and the country was founded on the backs of slaves – that cannot be ignored. Many of the Founders were conflicted about slavery but still owned slaves; Hamilton and Jefferson included. That is not ignored in this book but neither is it overplayed – it is what it is. They were men of their times and we cannot interject today’s mores on yesterday’s men.

I found that once I started this book I had a really hard time putting it down. It was as fascinating and easy to read as any historical fiction book. Mr. Groom brings the founding of our country alive and presents three of its Founders in well rounded ways. We revere these men as the Founders but they were just men with the temperments and foibles that go along with being human. They did not always get along and they did not always agree but they did manage to bring their diverse backgrounds together to form this great country.

[Olde American Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

“America’s founding fathers were never quite sure that democracy would work. The British were convinced that it wouldn’t. But history is strewn with often peculiar endings. At the eleventh hour, the British army was defeated by an army of ragged American soldiers. From that moment in history, three men emerged, as unlike each other as it was possible to be: Hamilton, Adams, and Jefferson.” 📚☕

As a student of Colonial America, I learned more intriguing facts about each of these unique founding fathers than I have from many other books - in an easily digestible way.

And I don’t mean simply dates in a history book…

This author took the bull by the horns and dug into each man’s passions, upbringing, beliefs, rumors, truth, flaws, strengths, and notable contributions to our nation that many of us were not taught.

Although ALL passionately patriotic and willing to give up their lives and fortunes for our new nation, it’s incredible how differently they approached ideals and policies.

This book does not shirk the subject of slavery. It’s covered as well.

Also the role of how the differences in geography in general (north and south) had a lot to do with their disagreements is covered as well (federalists and anti-federalists, anyone?).

This book detailed how those differences caused them to dislike each other and others
(spoiler: thankfully, two of the three make up at the end)!

I didn’t know all the reasons WHY they disliked each other and this book brought ALL THE TEA! 🍵

Yet, miraculously they banded together to create ideals, documents, and policies for this great experiment that have remained in place over two centuries!

I have yet to receive my physical loan from the library (it's on the way) but listened to the audiobook.
If you do not want to initially jump into the 415 page book, I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook!

I enjoyed the layout:

Chapter 1: Hamilton’s detailed upbringing
Chapter 2: John Adams’ detailed upbringing
Chapter 3: Thomas Jefferson’s detailed upbringing
Chapter 4: Hamilton as a young man during Revolutionary times
Chapter 5: Adams as a young man during Revolutionary times
Chapter 6: Jefferson as a young man during Revolutionary times
Chapters 7-9: Mashup of their responses post-war policies, rumors, etc
Epilogue: an excellent QUICK summary of them all and their ultimate contributions

*** If nothing else, READ OR LISTEN TO THE PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE! 😁

In the prologue and epilogue alone, you can get a quick but FASCINATING history lesson of accurate details about each of them and the contributions that we still enjoy today. 💙

I highly recommend this book in whatever format you can manage. I will definitely be adding a physical copy to my library! 📚

My rating is based on accuracy of the text and enjoyment for me
(a self-proclaimed Colonial American History nerd) 🤓

MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

There will be an in-depth review of this book (and other reviews & recs) in an upcoming reading wrap up video on my ‘Clean Reads’ YouTube channel. 💙

[Ricki Treleaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first history I've read by Winston Groom, and it most certainly won't be my last. He wrote thirteen nonfiction books in all. I've read several of his fiction books: Forrest Gump is probably his most famous novel because the film adaptation won several Oscars. When TLC Book Tours invited me to participate in this book's tour, I was happy to do it because I'm a fan, and Winston Groom was a fellow Alabamian. Sadly, he died in September in Fairhope, Alabama, at the age of 77.

I like how the book is written in the begging: the first three chapters focus on the men individually. Chapter One gives an overview of Alexander Hamilton and his life up to his impressive victory on the battlefield at Yorktown, the decisive victory for the Patriots during the Revolutionary War. Chapter Two focuses on John Adams. I enjoyed this chapter far more than I expected: partly because of the Boston setting, and party because of the inclusion of Samuel Adams, John's cousin. Samuel organized the Boston Tea Party, and surprisingly John, normally a stalwart defender of law and order, thought that the rebellious escapade was the best thing ever:

"This is the most Magnificent movement of all. There is a dignity, a Majesty, a Sublimity, in this last effort of the Patriots that I admire...This Destruction of the tea is so bold, so daring, so firm, intrepid and inflexible and it must have so important Consequences, and so lasting that I cannot but Consider it as am Epocha in History." pp. 85-86

Chapter Three chronicles Thomas Jefferson, the Renaissance man of the Revolutionary Era. He was a polymath, competent in philosophy and law, science, music, and architecture. He was an inventor, planter, expert equestrian, and a brilliant writer. Jefferson was a slaveowner who also took several cases in which slaves sought their freedom. These court cases formed his philosophy concerning personal liberty given by the "author of nature."

The rest of the book primarily describes their interactions as the new republic was getting established. One of the chapters I enjoyed most was Chapter Six about Jefferson's ambassadorship to France beginning in 1784. It lasted literally beyond the storming of the Bastille. He was eventually allowed to return home to serve as Washington's Secretary of State. It was fun reading about how he and Hamilton clashed constantly and vexed Washington (John Adams was Washington's VP), and the only thing they agreed on was a second Washington administration. Also included in the book are paintings, etchings, and other art including Jefferson's portrait by Rembrandt Peale.

I don't need to retell the history, we know the tragedy of Hamilton, and how Jefferson and Hamilton ever made amends. But I do want to encourage you to read this incredible book. It's encouraging to read about Patriots who put aside differences with other leaders for the common good of the republic. If our leaders today would only do the same....

[David Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biographer has two challenges: to decide what events of his subject's life are notable, and to relate those events well. This volume, which gives brief glimpses into the lives of three of America's Founding Fathers, succeeds in the second, and sometimes goes astray on the first, in my opinion. More than a few of the events brought to light in The Patriots are easily forgettable, and not in the least noteworthy. They might be of interest to readers of the National Enquirer, but not to any serious reader. It cost this book a star in my rating.

A second weakness of this book is repetition. I do not believe the author handled the overlapping of events in the lives of our Founding Fathers very well. How many times must I read of the Whiskey Rebellion, and the same salient facts? When I have been given the view of all the patriots in the first reading, must I read them again each time the focus shifts from one to another?

I like Groom, but this is not his best work. It is likely to be of interest to anyone well-versed in America's war for independence, or the lives of these three men. I am not, so the work interested me. I learned a few things from it, for which I am grateful.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I really enjoyed. If you are a historian it probably wouldn't be detailed enough but for a casual reader it was just right. A sufficient amount of facts and details but also a good summary of events of the time. I remembered some and learned a good bit. It also reminded me that US politics and politicians haven't changed much in close to 250 years! Groom does a good job of not imposing his opinions or current views on these founding fathers. I recommend this book to anyone wanting a refresher on the origins of our country.

[Student Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very well written history book about three of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. It gives you a good inside on how the American government was formed. The only problem I found with the book is that it jumps around between characters quite often and events aren’t told in order. For example, for a little while you will be in 1774 and then you can jump to 1786 and then back to 1779. If you like to have events told in order this book might not be for you. Before coming into this book I knew the basics about the American Revolution, I walked away with way more knowledge about this topic. Overall this book is a good book for anyone that wants to get introduced to the American Revolution and Hamilton, Jefferson and Adams.

[Mary-Therese P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good book (I have a bias against anything written after 2010 that I'm trying to get past). my only complaints are that Groom time to time writes word for word from Chernow's "Alexander Hamilton", and the improper grammar that pops up every now and then. Besides that, I gained a deeper understanding and liking of Adams from this book.
I'd recommend it. It's a pretty short read. Deeply interesting if you are interested in the founding of America

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

A superficial account of the personal lives and public deeds of these founding fathers. The book contains nothing original, nothing insightful and appears to have been written as a patriotic overview for the curious high school freshman.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read, you get a condensed biography on the three men and how America was born. Really enjoyed it.

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Groom's writing style. He snapshots the lives of three different influential founding fathers in a way which separates yet conjoins their lives in a fascinating way.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Patriots, Winston Groom explores the lives of three of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, and how they worked together despite their differences to create a new nation. I'm a history buff, so I welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the origin of the United States, through the focus of three remarkable men.

What I didn't love about this book:

- The format. Particularly at the beginning of the book, each chapter focuses on one man for a period of time. The next chapter then basically resets and spotlights another man in the same time period. Although each chapter features slightly different information, it often felt repetitive. I also had to keep reminding myself where we were in the narrative. I would have preferred more integration of the three men's lives, or at least a more chronological format.
- The information is a bit dry at times, although the writing is very approachable and readable. So much has been written about these men and the beginnings of the United States, so it's hard to impart anything truly "new."

What I enjoyed about this book:

- The inclusion of information about the men's personal lives. Hamilton, Jefferson, and Adams were so important politically and professionally, so it was nice to read about things that humanized them more - their wives, children, and homes.
- The book gives a well-rounded picture of the three men. It doesn't ignore some of the "unsavory" (by standards of today and the past) aspects of their lives.
- The book does a good job giving a comprehensive overview of the struggles these men, and others, faced in trying to establish a new nation. They didn't always agree on things and in fact had some strong divides on certain topics.

[Janet L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing really insightful here about Hamilton, Adams or Jefferson that hasn't already been well described -- read Chernow's Hamilton, McCullough's John Adams, or Ellis's The American Sphinx. You can also see/watch Miranda's Hamilton and the film 1776. But somehow seeing, once again, how our Founding Patriots took an enlightenment concept about personal liberty and created a never-before-created modern republican government is always worthwhile. These were very complicated men, each brilliant in so many ways, each equally flawed, each equally ambitious, each equally fearful of the implications of the politics of the others. I found Groom's writing a little simplistic as if he were gearing the book towards a middle-school student and that may indeed be the right audience.

[Stephanie Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous history by Winston Groom! Groom sheds light on the lives and legacies of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as they devote themselves to founding a new democracy, our own United States. As always, this important history is very readable and full of great stories! It is often said that history repeats itself and that certainly seems to be relevant when comparing the early days of our republic and current times. Loved this story! A must read!

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

One thing the play Hamilton got right – these three men really didn’t like each other much, although Adams and Jefferson did reconcile in old age. Which doesn’t mean that they didn’t manage to work together for the good of the country they helped to create.

There’s definitely a lesson in there. Maybe we’ll start acting upon that lesson again.

It’s clear from this book – unlike the U.S. History classes most of us took in school – that there was nothing inevitable about the American Experiment in general or the American Revolution in particular.

Every other country on the planet thought that the ragtag army of the fledgling country was going to lose. And by rights it should have. The British Army was the premier fighting force in the entire world in the late 18th century. They had us outgunned, outmanned, and out pretty much everything else.

But they also had a very long supply line in a war that was expensive to prosecute. A war over territory that their own people didn’t think much about or care much about. And we had George Washington, who knew that he just had to keep himself and some kind of army out of the hands of the British for the tide to turn.

Not the tide of war, but the tide of British willingness to prosecute that war.

But the country that the Revolution gave birth to was every bit as fractured as the country we live in today – if not more so. And along some of the same lines. Lines that were baked into the compromises made by the three men profiled in this book, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

They kicked the can down the road, in the sure and certain knowledge – from their perspective – that the most important thing was having that can to kick. They compromised to keep the American Experiment alive.

It’s time for us to do our parts.

Escape Rating A-: I read this on Election Day and Ballot Counting Day (11/3 and 11/4) and it is impossible to separate my reading from real life events, going on in real time, that are the direct result of the actions and compromises that fill this book and our history.

So this is a book that made me think and feel a lot about this country and where it currently stands. About the work the Founders left for us to do, and about the difficulties involved in doing it.

But I need to talk about the book. First, it is imminently readable. It was so easy to just get sucked in and stay sucked, making it a perfect read for the occasion in multiple ways.

It probably helps that the story begins with Hamilton, and does so in such a way that it puts flesh on the bones of a story that we are now so familiar with. At this moment in time, Hamilton feels like the most accessible of the “founding fathers” so starting with him doesn’t just make sense but draws the reader right into the narrative.

So even though this book is heavily researched and has lots of footnotes and an extensive bibliography, it NEVER gets bogged down by that research. Instead it illuminates it in a way that brings these men, with all their flaws as well as their virtues, to life.

Although, speaking of illustrations, the print edition of this book is undoubtedly heavily illustrated. However, the eARC does not include the pictures. This is one of those times when I really, really wish I’d gotten a print copy to review, because the illustrations I have seen in various promotional materials for the book are both illustrative and gorgeous.

As I said, I’m writing this review on November 4, which is Ballot Counting Day or Obsessive Doomscrolling Day or a nauseating combination of the two. That we have a country to vote in and vote for is the legacy of these three men among many others both sung and unsung. The compromises that they enshrined in the U.S. Constitution in order to get both abolitionists and slaveholders, industrial states and farming states, those who feared the government would be overwhelmed by masses of urban voters and those who feared that lower-population rural voters would hold back progress brought us the U.S. Senate as it is currently configured and the Electoral College.

They respected each other – whether they could stand each other or not – and they compromised so that we’d have a country to improve upon. Their work is done. Our work continues. After all, they didn’t leave us “a more perfect union” – only the tools with which to achieve it.

[Conny Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

“All three were driven by their own passions and particular genius, and when in the course of human events they saw a new fate opening for America they chanced their fortunes and futures on creating a more just and promising world,” Winston Groom writes in the epilogue of his book, The Patriots: Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Making of America.

~ What ~
This four-hundred-and-sixteen-page paperback is for those who enjoy reading about America’s Adams, Hamilton, and Jefferson, and how they shaped and formed our country over two hundred years ago. After a prologue, nine chapters cover the United States’ founding fathers and include sixteen pages of colored photographs. The ending has an epilogue, acknowledgments, select sources, notes, index, and illustration credits.

Beginning with the three men’s upbringings to their marriages and participation in the Revolutionary War, the first three chapters cover how Hamilton promoted personal honor, Adams craved esteem, and Jefferson focused on the truth. The next three sections are in the same order, dedicated to establishing the country through the men’s governmental roles at home or across the ocean, adding their goals, accomplishments, and pitfalls. The final three are in a different order and explain the men’s later years, deaths, and contributions. The closing is a summary of each one’s accolades and impact on the United States.

~ Why ~
Since it has been a while since I have read about America’s patriots, I found this read interesting in that history undeniably keeps repeating itself to our current day. I appreciated the arduous, tireless work these men dedicated to our country in orchestrating the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Federalist Papers, and Treaty of Paris, as well as their stance regarding slavery, being involved in three wars, and perfecting the new laws of the land. Engaging topics of their personal lives involved lost loves, secret affairs, adultery, deaths of loved ones, and the often hatred toward others. The book discusses the strong partisan disagreements, underlying clandestine schemes, prompting of protests, trying to stop riots and revolts, and dealing with sedition that are no different from today’s political environment.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not care about the history of the United States may have no interest in this compilation, but it does hone in on how important it was for those who started our county to successfully separate from England and deal properly with decisions that affected many. Others may not like the negativity and imperfections of these humans who constantly faced political, moral, and personal challenges, making mistakes that were sometimes brought to the attention of the nation. Some may find the author goes off on tangents frequently, but mainly as a backdrop to the men’s interactions and reasonings.

~ Wish ~
The layout of the book has lots of repetition and overlapping of people, places, and events, which makes it hard to read since it is not always in chronological order. I did not care for the format of jumping from one man to the next to the next and then back to the first one, only to have the order mixed up toward the end.

~ Want ~
If you have forgotten how America’s roots were firmly yet sometimes frantically planted with the help of these three important men in history, this is a good reminder of the state of man (especially in regard to politics) as it confirms that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Thanks to National Geographic, Litzky Public Relations, Inc., and Bookpleasures for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

[Lindsey Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winston Groom may be best known for his novel that was turned into the 1994 blockbuster hit Forest Gump, but his works as a non-fiction writer deserve the same accolades. Focusing on American history, Groom has delivered great looks into wars from the Civil War to World War II. The Patriots is Groom’s investigative storytelling foray into our country’s founding fathers, the actions of our young country, and the motivations behind some of the biggest decisions of the era. While Groom looks directly at the actions of Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, the supporting cast of founders including George Washington, Aaron Burr, Benedict Arnold, and more shine through the pages as well. This is a book about not only the positive moments most of us learned in school, but also the mistakes and challenges these very human men faced while bringing our country to the forefront of worldwide politics.

I give The Patriots 4 out of 5 stars. After reading so much about our first three Presidents and their contemporaries, I have heard most of the information included here before. However, Groom’s ability to weave a story kept me intrigued throughout. While, like most nonfiction books, this reads a bit like a textbook at some points, this is very informative and juxtaposes events together than I hadn’t read about together before this book. I was pleasantly surprised to at how the author kept my interest throughout, especially after having recently finished Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates, the events of which are accounted for here in a slightly different lens.

I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in the Founding Fathers, the birth of our country, or just American history in general. This book is a great summary to the others I’ve recently read about both Adams and Jefferson, putting each President’s decisions into perspective of the greater events of the country. I would also recommend this to readers who don’t like non-fiction because it can sometimes read like text books – Groom really makes the narrative come alive in this book! As with any book about this time period, I would caution this book for younger audiences given discussions of war, violence, and death.

I chose The Patriots as my nonfiction read for May. This was a free included book with my Audible plus subscription. I didn’t realize what the author is best known for until after I finished reading this book – I can’t believe I missed that! This was an easy read and quick for me. If you are looking for a medium length book on this topic – this would be a great choice!

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal historical account of the structure of the American government system by three of the founding fathers.

The American revolutionary war took six years of fighting and another year of British occupation before the treaty was finally signed. But the fighting was far from over. Now it turned inward as the colonies tried to figure out the best form of government. No one wanted a monarchy or a tyranny, but democracy seemed like a pipe dream that couldn’t be obtained. Each state had their preferences, and no one seemed to want to have collective oversight. Multiple plans were presented and dismissed before the founding fathers finally came to an agreement and ratified the constitution.

Three of the founding fathers were instrumental in this process. Alexander Hamilton, who was an immigrant from the island of St. Croix; Thomas Jefferson, who was born into wealth and a widely known southern Renaissance man; and John Adams, the outspoken lawyer from Massachusetts. All three men played heavy parts in the war, from Hamilton as General Washington’s top aide to both Adams and Jefferson as delegates to the Continental Congress. But their interaction did not stop there. They also played huge roles in framing the constitution and keeping their respective colony’s interests uncompromised. While they each had visions of a great county, the visions could not have been more different, and the three men developed a hatred for each other.

Groom’s account is comprised of nine chapters, three dedicated to each person. The first three chapters give an overview of each man’s upbringing and involvement in the revolutionary war. The second three chapters describe their involvement during the framing of the constitution as well as their private affairs. And the final three chapters close out their lives. Groom’s histories are always very well received and interesting. It feels more as though you are reading a story than a nonfiction historical account. I couldn’t put the book down. I haven’t read as much about these gentlemen as I should, but this book really brought their stories to light. This will definitely stay in my collection. I recommend this to history buffs as well as anyone who has an interest in how our country’s politics came to be.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history. I’ve loved to read biographies and non-fiction history since I was a child. As Veteran’s day comes around in November, I love to read about early American history. The Patriots was a very interesting read about the founding of the United States.

Author Winston Groom focuses on three of the major people who worked to found our nation and make it is what it is today: Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. The first three chapters tackle each of the three men and gives their early history through the American Revolution. In alternating chapters after that, the book details how the men helped in their own unique way to build the country after winning the revolution. There is also a great center section of pictures showing paintings of the men and where they lived.

I enjoyed The Patriots. Groom was able to put together an interesting and very readable book that highlights the major accomplishments and trials of these three founding fathers. I have often pondered about how such uncommon individuals were able to all be together at exactly the right time in our history. This book tells how these three grew into the men they became and were able to create “a more just and promising world.”

Favorite Quotes:
“A man of striking intelligence, remarkable presence, and driving ambition, Alexander Hamilton tried to outrun his unpropitious beginnings most of his life.”

“It wasn’t only his writing ability but his reasoning ability that allowed Hamilton to achieve what Washington described as ‘thinking as one.’”

“John Adams was obnoxious. He said so himself. He talked too much and wrote that he wished he didn’t. He was irritable and wished he wasn’t. He did not suffer fools glad (and his notion of a fool was set at a very low bar). But he was brilliant and well-read and energetic to a fault – ‘a great-hearted, persevering man of uncommon ability and force . . . He was hones and everyone knew it.’”

“Thomas Jefferson was a true Renaissance man.”

Overall, The Patriots is a good history of three important men from very different backgrounds and how they were able to compromise to bring out country to fruition.

Book Source: A Review from Hachette Book Group as part of the TLC Book Tour

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2020...

[David Crawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

American History at Its Best ... The author, Winston Groom, likes to intertwine the biographies of historical contemporaries, which he did again here in another outstanding work of nonfiction. In this case, he brings alive the stories of three of the founding fathers of our country – Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. One thing the book made clear to me is the divisiveness, incivility, and rancor we are experiencing in today’s politics (in the year 2021) is nothing new. In Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural speech in 1801 as the third president of the United States he said, “Every difference of opinion is not difference of principle … Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty, and even life itself, is but a dreary thing.” The author said, “It was a fine speech and set a new, hopeful tone for a country not yet fifteen years old but already exhausted by vicious partisan politics." Any reader who enjoys American history will enjoy this excellent work of nonfiction. – David B. Crawley, M.D. – Author of “Steep Turn: A Physician's Journey from Clinic to Cockpit” and “A Mile of String: A Boy's Recollection of His Midwest Childhood.”

[Joseph McGarry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.

That's a line from Forrest Gump by Winston Groom, the author of this book. This book tracks the lives of three of the founders, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, as they struggle to build the United States.

The early days of the United States were like the box of chocolates. No one was sure what they were going to get. Would they get a monarchy, with George Washington as King George I of America? Hamilton proposed calling the president Your Excellency. Would it degenerate into squabbles among the states? Would American credit ever be sound? Mr Groom shows us how these three men helped to keep the early nation together.

Each of the subjects of this book has had other books written about them, and in the case of Hamilton, a Broadway musical. The challenge is to be fresh. I think Mr Groom does a good job of this. He uses the techniques he developed writing fiction such as Forrest Gump to make the stories of these three men come alive. They weren't perfect, but they were able to get the United States going.

I did find one interesting parallel to today. John Adams did not attend Thomas Jefferson's inauguration in 1801. Similarly, Donald Trump did not attend Joe Biden's inauguration this year.

All in all, this is a great book for finding out about these three men, and how the United States may not be what it is today without them.

And that is all I have to say about that.

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Patriots by Winston Groom
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A clear and concise look at three of the most famous Founders of the United States of America. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. All three played major roles in shaping the country as we know it today. It is important to know about the founding of our great country and why it matters in the modern day. These three imperfect men offered much of their lives to the ideals of freedom and the building of our constitutional republic. Although coming from vastly different backgrounds and experiences, they were all able to work together through tumultuous times to create the greatest and freest nation of the face of the earth.
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Hamilton, revolutionary war hero, was our first secretary of treasury created our countries financial system, national bank and federal reserve. Tragically killed in a duel by then Vice President Aaron Burr.
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Jefferson, Virginia Gentleman, author of the Declaration of Independence, congressman, Scholar, scientist, elected Vice President, and President for two terms. Doubled the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase, and defeated the Barbary Pirates in Africa to ensure free trade. And so much more.
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John Adams, son of Massachusetts, lawyer, congressman, Vice President, President. Approved a full time army and navy. Negotiated with England and France for peace. Secured financing with France and military support during the revolution ensuring victory. Farmer.
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God bless America 🇺🇸
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#america #history #reading #books #book #booklover #historylovers #usa🇺🇸 #patriots

[Paul Lunger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winston Groom's "The Patriots: Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Making of America" is perhaps one of the most unique books that I have ever read and at times though because of how it is done is also one of the more frustrating. The book itself is a triple biography of these 3 figures in American history whose stories Groom rather than actually intertwine across the 9 chapters of this book chooses to tell in 3 different parts as we literally have 3 chapters each on these individuals which are selected at random. By doing so, though, the book tends to repeat itself as these men interact with each other in the founding days of the United States. Granted the stories of Adams, Hamilton & Jefferson are fascinating along with their various exploits both in & out of the public eye through their own deaths some things of which this reader was not aware of it; however, it is the disjointed nature of this book which hurts it most of all.

[Drew Morelock · Rating 5 out of 5]

An illuminating examination of the reality of American History. Groom examines each of the three “Patriots” in an extremely human manner. In true biographical fashion he recounts there experiences and accomplishments of being a founding father, but he also introduces them to the reader as a person. Revealing more than just their action, but their thoughts that which motivated the action. I also took great relish in reading about the process of where true power lies in leading a nation. For true power does not lie in cannon fire or the burning of cities, not in lives lost or nations conquered. It lies in the words on page, the voices echoes through halls and chambers. The endless hours spent in debate, all in contribution to creating a nation in which a people can take pride. This is where true power lies.

[K. M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoy Winston Groom’s writing style, as he has the talent of making stale topics fresh and entertaining, I couldn’t help but think I already knew a lot of this information, which I found frustrating. I kept waiting for that new gem of knowledge to pop up and surprise me, but sadly, nothing new for me. It all felt rather AP History, if you know what I mean.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good read if you’re new to or enjoy American history. If you have the choice of reading vs. audiobook, I’d recommend reading the book. The audiobook narrator, George Guidall, was rather monotonous for my liking (I listened for the first few chapters and switched to reading, I just couldn’t take him anymore).

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this to learn more about John Adams' life before he became president as the other book on him that I read focused on his time in the presidency. This book also includes Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

I listened to this as an audiobook and perhaps it is because of that that I found the timeline a bit confusing. The author would take one of the men and focus on a period of time, but then when we switched to a different man, the timeline would often rewind to an earlier point.

But I learned quite a bit about all 3 men. For some reason, I'd always thought that the founding fathers respectfully discussed their differences and found a compromise that worked for all/most of them. It's a bit disconcerting to realize they sometimes disagreed violently with each other.

[Riq Hoelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable introduction to three of the founders -- Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton, but a little too reliant on secondary sources, for example, Chernow, not even a professional historian. Some of its assertions are incorrect, such as that Jefferson is the second best known founder -- it's probably Franklin. Stating that Adams lacked vision is also highly questionable. A major blunder: stating that Madison was Speaker of the House in the first Congress. Not only was he not, he was never Speaker in any iteration of the Congress. A mistake of this order casts doubt on the correctness of the whole.