Fallen founder : the life of Aaron Burr / Nancy Isenberg.

9780670063529
0670063525

New York, N.Y. : Viking, c2007.

English

xiii, 540 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 25 cm.

E302.6.B9 I84 2007

973.4/6092 B

This biography of the Revolutionary-era "villain" overturns every myth and image we have of him. The narrative of America's founding is filled with godlike geniuses--and then there was Aaron Burr. Generations have been told Burr was a betrayer--of Hamilton, of his country, of those with nobler ideas. All untrue: the politically aggressive Hamilton was preoccupied with Burr and subverted Burr's career at every turn for more than a decade. Historian Isenberg proves that Burr was no less a patriot and no less a principled thinker than those who debased him. He was an inspired politician who promoted decency when factionalism and ugly party politics were coalescing. He was as much an Enlightenment figure as Jefferson, and a feminist generations ahead of his time. A brilliant orator and lawyer, he was New York's attorney general, a senator, and vice president. His political assassination was accomplished by rivals who feared his power.--From publisher description.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [415]-521) and index.

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