A controversial challenge to the works of ron chernow and david mccullough with fallen founder, nancy isenberg plumbs rare and obscure sources to shed new light on. Aaron burr is a difficult subject for any biographer. She contends that the third vice president of the united states deserves to be included within the. In fallen founder, nancy isenberg portrays the founders as they all really were. Fallen founder august 6, 2007 nancy isenbergs years of research have yielded a very readable history of aaron burr, a complex, elegant man. This biography of him is quite well researched and carefully analyzed. From the author of white trash and the problem of democracy, a controversial challenge to the views of the founding fathers offered by ron chernow and david mccullough linmanuel mirandas play hamilton has reignited interest in the founding fathers. The life of aaron burr, nancy isenberg, professor of history at louisiana state university, contends that she is the first historian to write a biography of americas third vice president. With fallen founder, nancy isenberg plumbs rare and obscure sources. Burr was an accomplished lawyer, a happily married man, and unfortunately had the illfate to be born at. People of a certain age may remember aaron burr best as a sandwichchoked laugh line from a milk commercial, but as nancy isenberg reminds readers of her book he was so much more than that. With fallen founder, nancy isenberg plumbs rare and obscure sources to shed new light on everyones favorite founding villain. Of course isenberg is clearly biased in favor of her subject, but this is not a bad thing. Harry williams professor of american history at lsu, and writes regularly for.
The life of aaron burr from the worlds largest community of readers. The life of aaron burr viking by cliopatria james m. The life of aaron burr reprint by isenberg, nancy isbn. His faith was ill placed, at least according to nancy isenberg, who in her fascinating new biography, fallen founder, argues that burr has. This biography was selected by day to days karen grigsby. I didnt know very much about aaron burr, except that he shot hamilton and had quite a reputation as a womanizer. Nancy isenberg goes to great lengths to damn alexander hamilton, thomas jefferson, the entire federalist party, and most of the republicans but spares one person from her scorn. Fallen founder on apple books apple books apple apple. It is time to start over, contends nancy isenberg in her iconoclastic fallen founder.
Unfortunately, the story of aaron burrs life is presented through the lens of a burr apologist. Burr is, of course, infamous for killing alexander hamilton in a duel. The life of aaron burr ebook written by nancy isenberg. After 1804, burrs life, as isenberg observes, became a comedy of errors. Once he had killed hamilton, burr could do nothing right. Isenberg believes burr was the only founder to embrace feminism, the only one who. A lawyer, soldier, and politician, and expansionist, he had an impressively adventurous life during some of the most dramatic times in american history.
The aaron burr whom we meet through isenbergs eyeopening biography is a. The life of aaron burr by isenberg, nancy and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Fallen founder nancy isenbergs years of research have yielded a very readable history of aaron burr, a complex, elegant man. The life of aaron burr nancy isenberg, 2007 penguin group usa 560 pp. He was an inspired politician who promoted decency at a moment when factionalism and ugly party politics were coalescing. She is the coauthor, with andrew burstein, of madison and jefferson. Fallen founder by nancy isenberg houston chronicle. Harry williams professor of american history at louisiana state university. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read fallen founder. Aaron burr killed one of the nations most important founders, lost several key elections and is now often relegated to being a historical footnote. This definitive biography of the revolutionary era villain overturn. The aaron burr whom we meet through isenbergs eyeopening biography is a feminist, an enlightenment figure on par with jefferson, a patriot, andmost importantlya man with powerful enemies in an age of vitriolic political fighting.
Nancy isenbergs years of research have yielded a very readable history of. She is the author of the new york times bestseller white trash. The life of aaron burr kindle edition by isenberg, nancy. Nancy isenberg contends that aaron burrs political rivals wrongly tarred his reputation james d. With fallen founder, nancy isenberg has provided a fresh and engaging look at one of the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading fallen founder. The life of aaron burr 978014317 by isenberg, nancy and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Nancy isenberg is the author of new york times bestseller white trash, and fallen founder.
I had read the biography of alexander hamilton, in which aaron burr played a large part. The aaron burr whom we meet through isenbergs eyeopening biography is a feminist, an enlightenment figure on par with jefferson, a patriot, andmost importantlya man with powerful enemies in an age of vitriolic. Nancy isenberg is the author of the new york times bestseller white trash. Fallen founder received critical acclaim, was a main selection. In fallen founder, nancy isenberg portrays the founders as they all really were and proves that burr was no less a patriot and no less a principled thinker than those who debased him. The life of aaron burr supplied all the information that i was looking for. The life of aaron burr by nancy isenberg online at alibris. My first thought after finishing this book is that it is good to know that there. The life of aaron burr viking, 2007, undertook to correct the many biased accounts across two centuries that have too easily portrayed as a villain thomas jeffersons vice president and the victor in the duel that ended alexander hamiltons life. Nonhistorians have written biographies of burr, but this book marks the first. Of course, real life is not as simple as merely good vs. The life of aaron burr by nancy isenberg and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Nancy isenberg talked about her book fallen founder.
She takes to task previous biographers as well as writers of fiction, who she argues, have distorted and maligned burrs character. The burr you know for killing alexander hamilton in a duel in weehawken, n. His faith was ill placed, at least according to nancy isenberg, who in her. The 400year untold history of class in america, and two awardwinning books, fallen founder.
Fallen founder the life of aaron burr by nancy isenberg. Non historians have written biographies of burr, but this book marks the first. May 14, 2007 persuasive reconsideration of possibly the most scandalous figure in american history. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Harry williams professor of american history at louisiana state university, and the author of the new york times bestseller white trash. It covered his entire life and explained why he and hamilton held a duel and why he shot hamilton, something that would change the rest of his life. With fallen founder, nancy isenberg plumbs rare and obscure sources to shed. The life of aaron burr audiobook written by nancy isenberg.