Book Summary Preview : Revolutionary Strategies of the Founding Fathers Leadership Lessons from America’s Most Successful Patriots By Scott Thorpe Sourcebooks, Inc. 2003 ISBN 1-57071-934-9 237 pages

Change and Revolutions are Inevitable
The Revolutionary War that gave birth to the United States of America changed the lives of the colonists, even those who were contented under British rule. Under the protection of the British Empire, some of the Founding Fathers made their fortunes.

Benjamin Franklin, satisfied under King George III, became a rich publisher renowned for his Poor Man’s Almanack. He expanded his fortune as a colonial agent, living in England for most of the years leading up to the rebellion.

John Hancock was embroiled in the Revolution. He was a wealthy Boston ship owner and merchant who inherited a fortune from his uncle. John Adams, who would become second president of the fledgling Republic, was a family man building a law practice.

On the other hand, the Revolution gave Henry Knox the opportunity to escape the obscurity of his bookshop. He became one of Washington’s trusted generals and later Secretary of War.

An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton shed his disreputable origin by proving his capability as a revolutionary. He will play a vital role in Washington’s administration as Secretary of Treasury.

Bill Gates and Paul Allen, founders of Microsoft, revolutionized the software industry, tangling with giant IBM. Larry Ellison saw the trend and created Oracle Corporation.