The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of The Federalist Papers / Edition 1

by Quentin P. Taylor

Overview

Jefferson called The Federalist 'the best commentary on the principles of government which was ever written,' and yet the text is considered lifeless and impenetrable by all but the most persistent readers. The Essential Federalist presents a bold new approach to reading one of the most important documents in American history. By careful selection, organization, and annotation of the essays' most meaningful passages, this book showcases what is central to The Federalist. 'If the road over which you will still have to pass,' in reading these papers, wrote Publius, 'should in some places appear to you tedious or irksome, you will recollect that you are in quest of information on a subject the most momentous which can engage the attention of free people.. .. It will be my aim to remove the obstacles to your progress in as compendious a manner as it can be done, without sacrificing utility to dispatch.' Dr. Quentin P. Taylor takes up Publius' challenge by making The Federalist an understandable and usable resource. This book will be essential reading for anyone who seeks to understand the roots of American government.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780945612612
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/01/1998
Series:	Constitutional Heritage Series , #3
Edition description:	1 ED
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.96(w) x 9.08(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

Quentin P. Taylor is author of The Other Machiavelli: Republican Writings by the Author of 'The Prince' and The Republic of Genius: A Reconstruction of Nietzsche's Early Thought.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Hamilton, Madison, and Jay: An Introduction Chapter 4 The Science of Publius: Method and Prescription in The Federalist Chapter 5 On First and Last Things Chapter 6 The Science of Politics Chapter 7 Federalism Chapter 8 Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances Chapter 9 Republicanism, Representation, and the Legislature Chapter 10 The Presidency and the Executive Branch Chapter 11 Law and the Judiciary Chapter 12 Political Economy Chapter 13 Domestic Tranquility and the Common Defense Chapter 14 Index