Margaret Moncrieffe; the First Love of Aaron Burr: A Romance of the Revolution
I had to read this riveting, stupendous book twice to fully appreciate the wealth of information on the life of the real Aaron Burr, not the villain that history and our schools have fed us all. It's a thriller and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I would like to share three more fascinating and insightful books on Burr:
Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr
2007;
Jefferson's Vendetta: The Pursuit of Aaron Burr and the Judiciary
2005;
Margaret Moncrieffe; the First Love of Aaron Burr: A Romance of the Revolution
first published in 1860. This book has been restored and scanned.
Nancy Isenberg and Joseph Wheelan's documentaries are based on the most recent research on Aaron Burr and corroborate and extend most of the ideas in Vidal's book. But the real surprise was a citation by Isenberg of a formerly "lost" book authored by Charles Burdett, one of the real Burr's adoptive sons and whose description almost perfectly fits that of Charlie Schuyler, the main character in BURR. What was so delicious for me in discovering this book is that Gore Vidal says in BURR that Charlie Schuyler is the only fictitious character in his story. But alas, here is the real Charlie, Aaron Burr's real adoptive son. Charles Burdett's book is the actual biography that the fictional Charlie Schuyler was writing in BURR. This book was rediscovered and the original has been meticulously scanned to produce the current book.
One criticism I have about Vidal's book, however, is the insinuation that Burr had an incestuous relationship with his daughter Theodosia. Vidal admitted in an interview that he made this up for dramatic effect, but that he based his notion on his research and his own opinion. Isenberg refutes this idea partly, explaining it all more in the light of the Enlightenment's different set of values, as well as the very progressive philosophy Burr and his wife subscribed to in the education of their daughter, who was the best educated woman of that era in America. Because Vidal said it, though, it has rather perpetuated Burr's image as a villain, without being established as fact. This is my only criticism.
Gore Vidal's BURR has been a watershed moment in uncovering the smear campaign of Aaron Burr throughout history, begun by Jefferson and Hamilton because they felt so threatened by Burr. He is truly our lost - and most interesting- founding father, and the major reason the Supreme Court's balance of power was preserved amid Jefferson's assaults on the Constitution.
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Reviews with images
Historical fiction at its best.
Gore Vidal is brilliant in not only his historical assessment of Aaron Burt in this novel, but also portrays the real story regarding the American Revolution and the participants.A real eye opener in light of the usual “Disney” version of the American Revolution.
Top reviews from other countries
Silviozs_G
Dramatização brilhante sobre o nascimento de um país.
Reviewed in Brazil on November 9, 2021
Silviozs_G
Reviewed in Brazil on November 9, 2021
Estamos diante de um trabalho de pesquisa histórica fiel aos acontecimentos que pontuaram a vida pessoal e política de um dos maiores republicanos no tecido político norte-americano, além de um poder de absoluto controle de recursos literários, típicos de um dos mais brilhantes romancistas da América do século XX. A humanidade, em sua virtude e em seus delitos, exposta de maneira contundente, certeira e pungente, através do olhar crítico do genial Gore Vidal.
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Mys M
Thoroughly Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2021
Mys M
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2021
The story of Burr is being told by a young law clerk, one Charles Schuyler, in the offices of Burr & Sill beginning in the year 1833 as Burr, age 77, was about to embark on a second marriage. Schuyler tells the events himself from this point on but engages Burr in his reminiscences of past adventures in the Continental army, legal battles, his love life, politics, land speculations, his time as Jefferson's vice-president and, of course, his infamous duel with Hamilton. Surprisingly, Burr appears to have no rancour toward those who have thwarted his ambitions, slandered him, or rose above him through infamy but gives a straightforward, witty retelling of events with great aplomb and often nostalgia. Certainly, he lived in exciting times and knew all the major players of the founding of the United States of America.
Burr's (or Vidal's) views on John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson are quite different than what are those commonly held. Certainly, Burr, in this instance, is seen to esteem his nemesis Hamilton higher than those generally considered the great founding fathers.
While it took me longer than usual to digest this book, I think that was more due to lack of reading time rather than it being hard to get through. Schuyler's activities as a potential contributor to various magazines and pamphlets and his attempt to draw information from Burr in order to establish a parental connection between Burr and future president Martin Van Buren contribute greatly to the colour of the times and the events are well told and not difficult to follow. This is the first of a 7-volume series, Narratives of Empire that covers from 1771 - the early 1950s, but it's a great place to start especially if you've seen Hamilton. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
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gavin.griffiths
You must read this novel!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2019