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The issue of Wilentz’s treatment of his historical “characters” rises once again in chapters 17-2o in The Rise of American Democracy. I think it is interesting to note the way in which Wilentz treats the “characters” in his book, specifically his vilification of John C. Calhoun. In many ways the archetypical Southern Democrat, it is clear that Calhoun was not Wilentz’s ideal political representative. However, Wilentz could do much more to disguise his bias for the purpose of creating an accurate and trustworthy historical narrative. The language with which Wilentz describes Calhoun’s actions is much more negatively connotated than the language he uses for Jackson, or virtually any other politician. For example, where other politicians “take action” or “attempt” to do something, Calhoun does much more negative things–for example, on page 241, Wilentz describes Calhoun’s actions in the following manner: “John C. Calhoun hatched a scheme that would again put him in contention for the presidency. He would not join the Whigs but instead find ways to manipulate the Democrats. His plan: ally with northern Democrats, beat down the Yankee financiers and manufacturers, and then capture the Democracy–and the national government–for the south” (emphasis mine). Here, Calhoun is portrayed as ill-willing, scheming, and untrustworthy. In Chris’s post, he manages to describe Calhoun and his allies fairly, avoiding the bias that Wilentz inserts into his writing. No other political figure is characterized as negatively as Calhoun in Wilentz’s work. Perhaps Calhoun deserves this treatment, but I would assert that these extreme descriptions do not have a place in academic writing intended to give a well-rounded view of the democracy and its rise in America.