Joseph J. Ellis

Joseph Ellis, a prominent American historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, sheds light on John Adams, our second president. He discusses Adams' unique approach to virtue in leadership and his significant yet challenging role during the American Revolution. Ellis shares fascinating insights into Adams' correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, illustrating a deep emotional connection between the two. Throughout their conversation, the complexities of Adams' legacy and the mythos surrounding Independence Day are explored, enriching our understanding of America's founding ideals.

Joseph J. Ellis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian renowned for his work on early American history, discusses the paradoxical nature of the American Revolution. He argues that its success stemmed from not being a true revolution, highlighting the complexity of founders' choices, including those surrounding slavery. The conversation delves into George III's role in catalyzing independence, the resilience shown at Valley Forge, and the ideological currents shaping revolutionary thought, all while drawing striking parallels to modern political challenges.