Heirs of the Founders

The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants

By: H. W. Brands

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

From New York Times best-selling historian H. W. Brands comes the riveting story of how, in 19th-century America, a new set of political giants battled to complete the unfinished work of the Founding Fathers and decide the future of our democracy

In the early 1800s, three young men strode onto the national stage, elected to Congress at a moment when the Founding Fathers were beginning to retire to their farms. Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, a champion orator known for his eloquence, spoke for the North and its business class. Henry Clay of Kentucky, as dashing as he was ambitious, embodied the hopes of the rising West. South Carolina's John Calhoun, with piercing eyes and an even more piercing intellect, defended the South and slavery.

Together these heirs of Washington, Jefferson, and Adams took the country to war, battled one another for the presidency, and set themselves the task of finishing the work the Founders had left undone. Their rise was marked by dramatic duels, fierce debates, scandal, and political betrayal. Yet each in his own way sought to remedy the two glaring flaws in the Constitution: its refusal to specify where authority ultimately rested, with the states or the nation, and its unwillingness to address the essential incompatibility of republicanism and slavery.

They wrestled with these issues for four decades, arguing bitterly and hammering out political compromises that held the Union together, but only just. Then, in 1850, when California moved to join the Union as a free state, "the immortal trio" had one last chance to save the country from the real risk of civil war. But by that point, they had never been further apart.

Thrillingly and authoritatively, H. W. Brands narrates an epic American rivalry and the little-known drama of the dangerous early years of our democracy.

©2018 H. W. Brands (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Lively and learned... Brands has produced a narrative that pulsates vigorously... The three senators wear themselves out and all but die on the job, their respective causes still unresolved, their long public service having earned them fame, but not the political prize for which they most lusted: the presidency (though not for want of trying).” (Harold Holzer, Wall Street Journal)

“A historical spellbinder... A lively, vivid, and thoroughly researched account of a time when discord gripped the nation and wouldn’t let go.” (David Holahan, Christian Science Monitor)

“Brands’s easy prose and superior, simple organization makes this work an engrossing, entertaining, and educating read on issues important then that echo today in the modern debate on the limits of federal government power.” (Robert Davis, New York Journal of Books)

Outstanding, interesting and cogent. Topical.

This book presents a great deal of past history representing our current political situation. Our political resentments are as strong now as they were when these great statesmen lived.

great book on great statesmen

a great book on 3 of the most influentiakl men to ever serve our country in congress. they tried to save the union but ultimately on postponed its divided and separation

Lettuce bacon cheeseburger 😋

narrative was good. I would recommend this book. I really enjoyed this book. thank u

Three Great Men Who Never Became President

This book presents the biographies of Clay, Calhoun, and Webster. These men helped to guide the US through the from the end of the Founders governing to the brink of the Civil War.

The most pressing question was slavery, but these three along with man others kept putting the issue aside. By the tone of their rhetoric they knew the question would be settled with a breakup of the union.

This book recorded the speeches in fine style. The narrator was excellent. At times I felt I was in the Senate listening to the orations of the day.

If you have an interest in this era of American history. Listen to this book.

gripping tale of the 1800s before the Civil war

This book weaves together The stories of these great senators and leaders Between the founding fathers and the Civil War. It helps to understand understand the growing tensions in the country that led to the Civil War over slavery and States rights

History

I doubt that I could have actually read this book. I listened to it & found some parts very interesting, some parts a bit dry. It is a very wordy book & the more I listened the more I enjoyed it. Definitely informative.

A great view of America the struggle to hold the union

The seeds of the Civil Warm and the voices of three great men that leave America on their knees.

I never knew!

I am so pleased I read this book, there is obviously so much American history that I had yet to have learned. This book was very enlightening regarding my lack of education of this trying time in American history.

Riveting Read on Rivals

Fascinating book to hear about these leaders and rivals in the 1800s who were critical in shaping America during a period of rapid Western and economic expansion. They played an important role in holding the Union together when sectional tensions were rising rapidly. Narrator did a great job too.

A brilliant, well written, and compelling history

When it comes to non-fiction, my favorite genre is either economic or political history. I find that a well written book of either genre, and really helped to illuminate the human condition. This book is one of the best.

The author tells a compelling narrative, about three (four, if you include John Quincy Adams) of the most important figures from American history.

I listened to Klotter’s book on Clay a few years ago (which is also excellent) but I found that I learned a lot from this book as well.

The author does a very nice job of moving the narrative along, giving an accounting of the relevant events and how each player contributed.

If you are interested in political history, look no further.