The Federalist Papers

by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison

Overview

The Federalist Papers serve as a primary source for interpretation of the Constitution, as they outline the philosophy and motivation of the proposed system of government. The authors of the Federalist Papers wanted to both influence the vote in favor of ratification and shape future interpretations of the Constitution. According to historian Richard B. Morris, they are an "incomparable exposition of the Constitution, a classic in political science unsurpassed in both breadth and depth by the product of any later American writer." The Federalist Papers consists of 85 articles advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution. Seventy-seven of the essays were published serially in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet between October 1787 and August 1788. This edition also includes the Deceleration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612032917
Publisher:	Bottom of the Hill Publishing
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) was an American statesman, legal scholar, military leader, lawyer, and economist. After serving as a senior aide to General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, Hamilton practiced law and founded the Bank of New York. As the need to replace the confederal government became apparent, Hamilton advocated for a Constitutional Convention to be held in Philadelphia. Following the convention, Hamilton wrote 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers, essays and articles intended to promote the ratification of the new Constitution. He then served as head of the Treasury Department under President Washington, later campaigning for Thomas Jefferson’s presidential nomination. In 1804, following a dispute, Hamilton was killed in a duel by politician and lawyer Aaron Burr.

Read an Excerpt

The Federalist No. 1: Hamilton
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The Federalist Papers"
by .
Copyright © 2012 Alexander Hamilton.
Excerpted by permission of Penguin Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

	Introduction	vii
	Chronology of the Lives of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay	xxi
	Historical Context of The Federalist Papers	xxv
	The Federalist	1
	The Constitution of the United States	631
	Notes	658
	Interpretive Notes	677
	Critical Excerpts	684
	Questions for Discussion	699
	Suggestions for the Interested Reader	701
	Index	703

Editorial Reviews

In 1787 and 1788, these articles argued, with great clarity and prescience, for the ratification of the Constitution and for a strong federal government.”

Audiofile

In 1787 and 1788, these articles argued, with great clarity and prescience, for the ratification of the Constitution and for a strong federal government—an issue debated in blood in the 1860s and still being debated today. Arthur Morey’s voice sounds a bit weak and strained—though he’s a precise and nimble reader, enunciating well and giving the sometimes difficult sentences emphasis and intonation that help convey their meaning. His reading might actually make the text more understandable except that—given the complex, formal language—it goes a bit too fast. Listeners not familiar with the Papers or with writing of the period may miss quite a bit and be left unsatisfied by an otherwise able reading of a difficult text. W.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2011 - AudioFile