Ellis, author of several other titles on the founding of the US, looks at critical decisions made by the four chief founders (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison) from 1776-1804. They were incredibly wise and successful in setting up the new republic. Some decisions, however, would lead to an inevitable civil war and decimation of Native Americans and their lands - specifically, the failure to address the issue of slavery in both existing states and new/to-be states - and - the failure to protect Indian lands. Ellis alludes to the omission of providing for women's suffrage as well, but does not delve into the issues or consequences. Still, these four men - with John Adams being the only New Englander among a troika of "southern planters" - faced a huge task, perhaps chiefly, at least initially, to unify a group of states whose citizens were more loyal to state than to nation. Ellis goes into considerable detail in describing the war, especially the period at Valley Forge, and the period of setting up the new republic. This is a good, readable history of the founders and the US Federal period.
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