Excerpt:
Despite the somewhat questionable atmosphere of voting and politics, Virginia’s environment fostered and promoted the most qualified persons to the top of the political sphere and did so brilliantly, providing the fire and conditions needed to temper them for their future roles in developing the national government. Further, men like Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Marshall learned to temper their ideals with the realities of the current system, working within it to make substantial changes over time.
Is it convincing? No. Are there criticisms? Absolutely! Sydnor paints a very rosy picture of Virginia politics.
