Ordeal of ambition

By Jonathan Daniels

Subjects: Jefferson, Thomas, President United States, 1743-1826, Constitutional period, 1789-1809, Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804, United States, History, Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Description: "Thomas Jefferson is safe on his pedestal," writes Jonathan Daniels. "Alexander Hamilton's picture properly graces the American ten-dollar bill. Aaron Burr, like Lucifer, will never be lifted to the heavens from which he fell, or was "hurled headlong." Any attempt to alter their allotted places now would be a pretentious folly. Yet, it should be possible to examine the anatomy of their antagonism. That is what I have tried to do." And, in so doing, Mr. Daniels has uncovered startling new material about the early days of the United States, and in particular, about the three men - Jefferson, Hamilton, Burr - who contended bitterly among themselves for control of the young republic and the success of their own designs. The result is a fascinating book which sheds new light on some monumental figures in American history - a drama of power greed, and idealism locked in a mighty ordeal of ambition.