[Pharmboy]

Of interest...

[x]

Winik's book April 1865: The Month That Saved America is also worth a look.

The "modern world" probably did start with the French Revolution, but culturally things were more interesting a few years further down the road: war and politics took up way too much energy in the 1790s.

[ClearCase_guy]

In the late eighteenth century, the world was allowed to witness a revolution that valued individuals, life, property, and religion. At the same time, the world was allowed to witness a different revolution -- one which valued slaughtering your opponents, collectivism, anti-clericalism and which led to a military dictatorship under an emperor.

And much of the world said, "That whole socialist revolution under Robespierre and Danton was a swell idea, that's the best model, we just need to put better people in charge ... I'm sure it will work out better when WE try it".

[Inyo-Mono]

Excellent review. I’ll have to purchase this book.

[SunkenCiv]

Adams, though he revered Washington

:') Heh, no he didn't. He complained about Washington in very petty ways in correspondence. He did likewise regarding a number of other of his contemporaries. Adams was a brittle-egoed, whiny little beeotch, who resented it when he himself wasn't center of attention. And I say that as a major thread hijacker...