Timothy Pickering and the American Republic Book

Wow. At the beginning of this book, Clarfield calls Pickering "one of the principal villains of early American history." By the end, the reader understands why. Pickering, who I had previously dismissed as a minor character in American history, seems to be one of the most bitter people I have found in all of my years of studying history. His story is valuable both in terms of a personal 'what not to do' but also because some of his extremist views tell a tale that should be heeded by many in modern politics. Though Pickering would not have understood this analogy, tunnel vision ultimately leads to meeting head-long with a train that runs you over. Clarfield did an excellent job in presenting an often-overlooked story in our nation's early history, and I commend him for his efforts.