In a time when men and nations sought to compete in a world organized and defined by empires, these Founding Fathers, like the Puritans, committed themselves to a political experiment that they believed could make a difference. Tucker and Hendrickson also correctly argue that Jefferson s high morals often placed him and the country in untenable positions, from which little or no comprise could be reached. These historians find no simple, easy answers. Rather, they theorize that these opposing factors ebb and flow in cycles throughout the nation s history, with one idea usually preponderant for roughly a generation before the currents reverse. Also, the book correctly emphasizes the importance of Napoleon in the formulation of U.S foreign policy between 1798-1815.
Empire contains only a few minor weaknesses.
Tucker and Hendrickson experience some problems switching back and forth between their narrative and their critical analysis. Often the interposition of the two jars the reader with its abrupt transition. It might have been more effective for these historians to present their narrative first, and then their political and ideological analysis. This format would offer more continuity within the chapters. Also, the organization of the chapters seems choppy.