SevenVirginians,theculminationofalifetimeoferuditionbyoneofAmerica’sleadinghistorians,revealstheintegralroleplayedbysevenmajorVirginiansbefore,during,andaftertheAmericanRevolution:GeorgeWashington,ThomasJefferson,JamesMadison,JamesMonroe,GeorgeMason,PatrickHenry,andJohnMarshall.Mostaccountsofthefoundinggenerationfocusonlyontheactivitiesofthe“bigthree“--Washington,Jefferson,andMadison--butBolesincorporatesthekeycontributionsoftheseotherfourimportantfigurestothepoliticalandlegalstructuresthatgoverntheUnitedStatestothisday.Atthesametime,Bolesisclear-eyedabouttheRevolutionarygeneration’sproblemsandtheirfadingfromthescene,inauguratingthebeginningsofVirginia’spoliticaldeclineintheearlynineteenthcentury.Insodoing,BolesprovidesthecrucialVirginianpiecetotheongoingreevaluationoftheUnitedStates’foundingmoment.
GEORGEWASHINGTON WASHINGTON SEVEN
