Gordon Wood talked about his book Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815 (Oxford University Press, USA (October 28, 2009). In his book he presents a history of the United States from 1789 to the end of the War of 1812. Professor Wood recalls the debates that occurred over the future of the young country as many wished to replicate the fiscal and military strength of France and Britain and others were resolute on a rural, agricultural model. He also reports that founders of the national government disliked the idea of political parties and wished to see the demise of slavery in the North. Professor Wood also responded to questions from members of the audience at this event on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 6:00 p.m. at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport, Rhode Island.
Gordon Wood is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of several books including The Creation of the American Republic 1776 - 1787 and The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Mr. Wood is the Alva O. Way University Professor at Brown University where he has taught history since 1969.