Gordon Wood Reflection

Overall, this was a much more enjoyable read compared to the Morgan book.  I liked many of the anecdotes that Wood uses to support his arguments.  On the whole, I agree with his argument about this radicalism of the American Revolution and I appreciated the wealth of information that he used to back up his argument.  However, I did have a few questions and concerns as I was reading.

Firstly, I found it interesting that there was a relatively small amount of the book dedicated to slavery.  I know it may not have been the perfect fit into his argument, but I feel that an institution with that much control over society should get more discussion in a book about social change.  I was very surprised that he did not discuss how the ideas of equality from the American Revolution translated into anti-slavery sentiment in Post Revolutionary America.  Did anyone else have this problem too?

Secondly, I felt as if Wood almost painted too positive of a picture of early American society.  I understand that it was an unprecedented age of republican feelings of liberty and equality for all, but it almost seemed over exaggerated with images of a one class society where everyone is in it together.  Unfortunately, I do not have the knowledge or information to back up this idea, but I find it hard to believe that there were no cut throat businessmen or other wealthy individuals taking advantage of the lower classes.

Lastly, I was very intrigued by the closing paragraph of Wood's book.  I felt like there was underlying feeling of contempt from Wood in his discussion of the legacy of democracy that we see today.  He admits that America has done well economically but highlights "materialism" and "anti-intellectualism"as the consequences of this push for wealth.  Does anyone else see this as a kind of back handed slight on our society today?

Thanks!