Richard Hofstadter

A revised edition of the clasic study of American politics from the Founding Fathers to FDR.

The American Political Tradition and the Men who Made it

linda

I read this book for my AP US History class. I loved the opposing viewpoints Hofstadter presented in this book, even down to the paradoxical chapter names. Every historical figure was shown to be multifaceted and three dimensional. There is no single prevailing narrative. Politicians can be flawed, hypocritical, and fickle, and often take on different positions regarding a single issue as their career progresses. While their upbringing can significantly shape their policy, it was not always a true determinant of where their loyalties lay. I enjoyed reading about Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson. By contrasting different perspectives, Hofstadter creates an authentic and partisan portrayal of the men who founded America, and encourages the reader to create his or her own worldview. This was a challenge I truly enjoyed taking on.

The American Political Tradition and the Men who Made it

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