audiobook Suspected of Independence: The Life of Thomas McKean; America’s First Power Broker by David McKean in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. David McKean on the life of Thomas McKean and his many endeavors.By Ronald H. ClarkAs usual; the author has written an interesting and perceptive book; interlinking history; politics; and law. I have read all three of his previous volumes; especially his books on lawyer-power brokers Thomas Corcoran ("Tommy the Cork") and Clark Clifford were knowledgeable; superbly researched; and thoughtful in judging these two controversial figures. A longtime career State Department senior official; he was recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Once again; his subject is a legal and political power broker; in fact one of his own ancestors; not from our own time; but covering the subject's life during 1734-1817.As I read the book and the many dimensions of Thomas McKean's life; I kept thinking of Woody Allen's movie "Zelig." That is because McKean pops up in almost every significant political; judicial and military event during the Revolutionary and Early National periods. Like Dean Acheson; he was "present at the creation." After an early career at the bar; he moved into politics as Clerk of the Delaware Assembly and member from New Castle (an interesting place to visit today). Widening his scope; he participates in the Stamp Act Congress in 1765; the Philadelphia City Committee and the boycott of the Tea Act in 1773; and the first Continental Congress in 1774. He was a signer of the Declaration and participant in the Second Continental Congress in 1775. He next served in the Revolutionary War where he interacted with Washington. He also came to know John Adams; Benjamin Franklin; Robert Morris; and John Dickinson.McKean next shifted in 1777 to the judiciary as the First Pennsylvania state Chief Justice. Many were opposed to the state court system; feeling it infused with distasteful English law. So McKean undertook to reconcile this group with his own thinking that the legal system should be heavily influenced by English principles and practices. Concurrently; McKean surprisingly served as Chief Executive of Delaware. Much in demand; he next in 1781 is elected as president of Congress under the Articles; followed by participation in 1787 in the Constitutional Convention. During all this; he continues as Chief Justice; expanding the state judicial system and handing down important decisions relating to fugitive slaves and the primacy of American law when it waschallenged by foreign legal systems in American courts.The final period covered in the book focuses upon his role as a politician. Long a Federalist; beginning with the election of 1796; McKean begins to shift to the Jeffersonian Republican camp. He opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts and eventually becomes the second Governor of Pennsylvania at age 65; re-elected two times. The author is not worshipful of his ancestor; instead he brands him as arrogant; actively engaged in patronage and nepotism on a grand scale; "prickly" ; and sometimes motivated by political revenge such as when he advises Jefferson to purge all Federalists from his administration after the election of 1800.Fortunately for the reader; who can be overwhelmed with all these offices and activities; he author has provided an essential Chronology at the beginning of the volume. For all the activities in which McKean engaged; the book itself proceeds as what seems a leisurely pace and its not hurried in its 270 or so pages. The extensive notes indicate that the author once again has done his homework and his sources are diverse. I also found the book to be nicely printed on excellent paper; with a section of helpful illustrations. McKean's constant involvement in nearly everything of note going on provides a nice history of American politics and law during this period--an extra important bonus of the book. So the reader is better informed in several regards on important issues after reading this pleasant book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Forgotten Founding Father Now Brought Nicely to LightBy Peter H. MichaelThe 1780s; what John Quincy Adams called America's critical decade; have been strangely neglected by historians; as have many of that era's most important players. What would help are more biographies such as David McKean's illuminating book; Suspected of Independence; the story of his ancestor; Thomas McKean; who for a half century occupied one after another key role in the formation of the United States.Exceptionally deeply researched and elegantly written; Suspected of Independence ushers the reader through much of the fascinating give-and-take of how one of the fledgling democracy's foremost statesmen; jurists and opinion leaders and his new nation lived life. Given that descendant is writing of ancestor here; one might have expected hagiography; but the author is scrupulously even-handed in the treatment of his subject.An inexplicable shortcoming of the book is the omission the 1781 transition from the Second Continental Congress; the non-government consultative body among the colonies and then the states; to the nation's first government chartered by the Articles of Confederation. It was Thomas McKean; the Second Continental Congress's last president; who in effect passed the torch up to John Hanson; first president of the new government and actually therefore of the United States; on November 5; 1781 when the Articles took effect..Other than this gap; this well-written book giving a fine-grained view of the roles that one important Founding Father had in forming the United States is highly recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An excellent read and would highly recommendBy Vincent MartelloA fabulous book that really brings the era to life from a highly personal and human perspective. It really deepened my understanding of; and appreciation for; the challenges and excitement inherent in attempting to create a new political and world order; despite all odds. An excellent read and would highly recommend.