The Federalist (The John Harvard Library)

Published serially in several New York papers between October 1787 and August 1788, the eighty-five Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym “Publius” advocated ratification of the proposed U.S. Constitution. Together these articles constitute one of the greatest American contributions to political thought. In his introductory essay, Cass R. Sunstein argues that in rejecting the claims of classical republicanism Publius embraces deliberative democracy, and reminds us that Publius’s arguments bear on current debates and “offer lessons for making war and making peace, and for domestic emergencies of many different kinds.” The John Harvard Library text reproduces that of the first book edition (1788), modernizing spelling and capitalization.

By identifying all the historical references and literary allusions by which the Founders sought to amplify their arguments and convince their readers-and by clarifying those important concepts (such as sovereignty, contract, separation of powers) which influenced the thinking of both the Founders and their opponents-renowned historian J. R. Pole here sets The Federalist in the intellectual world inhabited by Hamilton, Madison and Jay. In reading Pole's annotation alongside the main text, students and scholars alike will gain a deeper understanding of the papers-and of the time, needs, and circumstances that shaped them.

Pole's Introduction, a thematic index, a chronology of politically significant events from 1688 to 1791, and the inclusion of The Articles of Confederation and the U. S. Constitution further distinguish an edition priced for classroom use.

Thomas Jefferson

The best commentary on the principles of government which was ever written.

This edition from a noted historian “is the first definitive, variorum edition of the text of this much reprinted classic” (The William and Mary Quarterly). The definitive edition of the historic essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, fully annotated and reproduced from the original text. Also included are a new introduction by historian Jacob C. Cooke, along with notes, a glossary, as well as the complete Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, and U.S. constitution. “A high-quality, scholarly edition.” –Library Journal “Everyone who is interested in either the principles or the practice of government―in the age of the Fathers or in our own era of perplexity―should read it.” ―Dumas Malone, History Book Club Review Published serially in New York papers between October 1787 and August 1788, the 85 Federalist Papers written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under the pseudonym “Publius” advocated ratification of the proposed U.S. Constitution. The John Harvard Library text reproduces that of the first book edition (1788), modernizing spelling and capitalization. Written in 1787 and 1788 by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay as a series of newspaper articles to refute criticism of the proposed constitution A series of articles about the Constitution written between 1787 and 1789 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The John Harvard Library edition of the classic American essay with an introduction by Cass Sunstein.