Each section describes the lives of the Founding Fathers, the events that took place after the American Revolution, and how they influenced our American history. The preface is titled “The Generation”; is an introduction by the author. Ultimately it's about his intentions and him explaining how to interpret and understand the events that occurred. Each event needs to be understood exactly as he articulates it, along with recognition of how it has influenced our history and how it is interpreted today. It also reveals to readers who the eight most important people of the early American republic are, who are: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Adams, and Aaron Burr. Ellis says that all of these characters knew each other on a personal level and that they knew that what they were doing for this country would be closely scrutinized and very critical. They were the generation in which precedents would be set and upon whom future generations would then rely. Within each chapter Ellis shows the fragility of this country when we first gained our truth