Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, And The Shaping Of The American Nation (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
It's nice to know that our Founding Fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison) shared such a consuming interest in horticulture. This is a great piece of historical research; indeed, a full one third of the book's 330 pages are devoted to references and end-notes. But you'd be better off planning a trip to visiting the historic estates (Mt. Vernon, Monticello, Adams Historic Park and Montpelier) of these former presidents if you're really interested in this stuff. I find myself wanting a good book on American History every year around the 4th of July and this one didn't disappoint. This is a wonderful book; I highly recommend it. Wulf's work is well researched but reads well too. She illustrates the often forgotten importance of gardening to Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and others of the revolutionary generation. As she points out, these men thought about gardening as much as they did politics. Her discussion of the interrelationship of horticulture (and agriculture) to the character of these men is surprising. Jefferson stealing seeds is just one little surprise. Another was Abigail Adams use of the West Wing to hang laundry. Bears were once kept on the White House's veranda. I am struck at the contrast between the founders(often farmers)and today's political leaders (often lawyers). The former almost certainly better tied to the land then the latter. The Founders were enthusiastic, nearly obsessed horticulturalists. Gardening provided a unifying culture for men with otherwise disparate philosophies. This book made me sad that the best and only tilled row in the contemporary American political landscape is the line between the parties.Its also some of the best history of Washington, D.C. I've ever read.
What do You think about Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, And The Shaping Of The American Nation (2011)?
Rekindled my interest in early American history. Really interesting book.
—Laradalle
Read thru Washington chapter. Not interesting enough to keep going.
—crw112452
Nicely done, but I enjoyed the Brother Gardeners much more.
—Chessmaster
