Franklin, John Adams, Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, John Marshall-all are familiar yet curiously distant American heroes, blurred by the similarities of their background and culture. In this engrossing book Albert Furtwangler looks at these men in turn, examining either a document or a telling incident in their lives in order to explore what was distinctive and unique about each of them. An intriguing study of the rhetorical identities and personal political styles of the most eminent leaders of the American revolution. . . . Deft, insightful studies of character and context these chapters certainly are. In their reading, even the experienced historian finds fresh insights into these overly familiar characters.--John Howe, American Historical Review