Reddit reviews Lafayette

If anyone is interested in further reading on America's favorite fighting frenchman, I recommend several readings for you:

1. Layfayette's writings when he visited the United States in 1824. Invited by James Monroe to instill the spirit of 1776, Lafayette embarked on a 24 state tour of the US. There he was greeted with near universal praise in every town he visited. Many historians agree that the first 'ticker tape' like parade happened when Lafayette was greeted by 1/3rd of New York City's population( granted this is 1824,and well before the 5 boroughs were consolidated under one city government so it was just Manhattan, but 1/3rd is still a high number regardless). One of the more touching moments on the journey is when Lafayette met up with an old friend for one last time, Thomas Jefferson. Two men whom were well into their golden years, began recalling old memories of when Jefferson was an ambassador to France, and other fond memories in private. Now for those wondering if there were any connections to Hamilton; when Layfayette arrived at New York City, the city had a bust of Hamilton and two cannons from the Battle of Yorktown on display at the New York City Hall- the end point of the parade.
   
   
2. Lafayette. This book examines his life. Raised in an aristocratic family to fighting in the French Revolution, to his brief period in exile and prison, to later on touring the United States. If you are curious about the man who could be close friends with Hamilton and Jefferson-despite them two being fierce enemies- I seriously recommend this book. Unger displays an encyclopedia worth of knowledge with easy to read prose that shouldn't intimidate anyone.
   
   
   Correction It was two pieces of a cannon from the Battle of Yorktown, not two cannons.

For American History I recommend The Oxford History of The United States, which includes Middlekauff's The Glorious Cause, Wood's Empire of Liberty and about ten others. I would also recommend select biographies of the founding fathers:

• The First American by H.W. Brands
  
• Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History by Fawn M. Brodie
  
• John Adams by David McCullough
  
• 1776 by David McCullough
  
• His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
  
• American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis
  
• Lafayette by Harlow G. Unger
  
• Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation by Harlow G. Unger
  
• Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis
  
  For Science History refer to my WIP History of Science Reading List

I've been oscillating between choosing one of these two... If anyone has read either one, would love to hear thoughts, otherwise I think I just need to flip a coin:

http://www.amazon.com/Marquis-Lafayette-Reconsidered-Laura-Auricchio/dp/0307387453/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1459350227&sr=8-3&keywords=lafayette

http://www.amazon.com/Lafayette-Harlow-Giles-Unger/dp/0471468851/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459350227&sr=8-2&keywords=lafayette

Separately but related, I highly recommend Mike Duncan's Revolutions podcast, particularly Season 3 on the French Revolution in which Lafayette is of course a major character: http://www.revolutionspodcast.com/ The current Season 4 on the Haitian Revolution has also been thrilling.