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

Written by Winston Groom

Narrated by George Guidall

In this masterful narrative, historian Winston Groom transports readers to the world of the American Revolution, where bold ideas, improbable events, and three extraordinary characters led to the
remarkable birth of the country we know today.

When the Revolutionary War ended in victory, there remained a stupendous problem: establishing a workable democratic government in the vast, newly independent country. Groom tells the unique story of how three brilliant men—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton—emerged from a population of just five million to build the very foundation of the United States.

With skill and subtlety, Groom shines an unparalleled light on the differing personalities, life circumstances, and political policies that caused frequent animosity among each of these three founders: Adams, the brilliant, dour New Englander; Jefferson, the aristocratic southern renaissance man; and Hamilton, an immigrant from the Caribbean island of Nevis. While all served in George Washington’s first cabinet—and all shared the ultimate goal of liberty and freedom—their excitement was often strained by deep antagonisms, many of which bear a striking resemblance to the intense political polarization of today.

The drama of the American Revolution is the greatest stage yet for Groom’s signature storytelling panache. Offering rare insight into these larger-than-life characters, he draws on extensive correspondence, epic tales of war, and the rich histories of their
day-to-day interactions to tell the astonishing story of how three men—patriots, rivals, and ultimately friends—put aside their differences to create a great nation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980007616

Winston Groom

Winston Groom, bestselling author of eight novels and several non-fiction books, wrote the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestsellers Forrest Gump and Gumpisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Forrest Gump. The phenomenal hit film Forrest Gump garnered six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. He lives in Point Clear, Alabama.

Reviews for The Patriots

[bookscookslooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.