Setting the World Ablaze: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and the American Revolution
by John Ferling
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Description
Setting the World Ablaze is the story of the three men who, perhaps more than any others, helped bring the United States into being: George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Braiding three strands into one rich narrative, John Ferling brings these American icons down from theirpedestals to show them as men of flesh and blood, and gives us a new understanding of the passion and uncertainty of the struggle to form a new nation.A leading historian of the Revolutionary era, Ferling show more draws on an unsurpassed command of the primary sources and a talent for swiftly moving narrative to give us intimate views of each of these men. More than any scholar before him, Ferling shows us both the overarching historical picture of theera and a gripping sense of how these men encountered the challenges that faced them. At close quarters, we see Washington, containing a profound anger at British injustice within an austere demeanor; Adams, far from home, struggling with severe illness and French duplicity in his crucialnegotiations in Paris; and Jefferson, distracted and indecisive, confronting uncertainties about his future in politics. John Adams, in particular, emerges from the narrative as the most underappreciated hero of the Revolution, while Jefferson is revealed as the most overrated of the Founders,although the most eloquent.Setting the World Ablaze shows in dramatic detail how these conservative men--successful members of the colonial elite--were transformed into radical revolutionaries, and in doing so, it illuminates not just the special genius of these three leaders, but the remarkable transformation of HisMajesty's colonies into the United States. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This work alone provided more breadth and depth than everything I learned during school. The comparative approach is useful, and Ferling seems to bring out the personalities without editorializing. The triumvirate of Jefferson (the pen), Adams (the tongue), and Washington (the sword) were as involved in the revolution as anyone. And yet Ferling shows that they were initially driven as much by themselves as by the idea of freedom.
Fascinating book about the Big Three of the American Revolution: Washington, Jefferson, and Adams. The book chronicles what each man is doing at each point in the revolution. Very illuminating, and easy to read.
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Founding Father
104 works; 11 members
Best U.S. History Books (1754-1828)
363 works; 17 members
Author Information
20+ Works 4,360 Members
John Ferling is professor emeritus of history at the University of West Georgia. He is the author of many books on American Revolutionary history, including Independence; The Ascent of George Washington; Almost a Miracle, the acclaimed military history of the War of Independence; the award-winning A Leap in the Dark; and Setting the World Ablaze. show more He and his wife, Carol, live near Atlanta, Georgia. show less
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Setting the World Ablaze: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and the American Revolution
- People/Characters
- George Washington; John Adams; Thomas Jefferson
- Important places
- USA
- Important events
- American Revolution (1775 | 1783)
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.3 — History & geography History of North America United States Revolutionary War (1775-89)
- LCC
- E302.5 .F46 — History of the United States United States Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861 Biography (Late eighteenth century)
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 235
- Popularity
- 138,007
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.23)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 4
