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The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates (Signet Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ralph Ketcham
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

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Book Description

May 6, 2003 0451528840 978-0451528841

The dissenting opinions of Patrick Henry and others who saw the Constitution as a threat to our hard-won rights and liberties.


Frequently Bought Together

The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates (Signet Classics) + The Federalist Papers + Common Sense (Dover Thrift Editions)
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Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Signet Classics (May 6, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0451528840
  • ISBN-13: 978-0451528841
  • Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ralph Ketcham is Professor of History Emeritus at Syracuse University. His National Book Award-nominated James Madison (Virginia) is the standard single-volume biography of the fourth president. He is a former editor of The Papers of James Madison and the author, most recently, of The Idea of Democracy in the Modern Era.

Customer Reviews

It, among other books, will be recommended reading for a class on the "Great Debate." Douglas R. Holden  |  12 reviewers made a similar statement
This "Signet Classic" references the sister Signet Classic "The Federalist Papers". Peter W. A. Saemisch  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
191 of 200 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I highly recommend "The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates" along with the companion volume "The Federalist Papers." Reading these two books will give you both sides of the arguments that revolved around the creation and adoption of our Constitutional government. "The Anit-Federalist Papers.." contains an excellent introduction by Ralph Ketcham, the complete Anti-Federalist papers and Constitutional Convention Debates with commentaries, an Index of Ideas, and cross-references to "The Federalist Papers."

The original intent of the Convention of States was to simply amend the Articles of Confederation, but instead it set out to frame an entirely new constitution. The Conventional debates began on May 29, 1787, in Philadelphia, with the "Virginia Plan" as the topic of the debates. This was James Madison's plan to strengthen the national government. However, not all our founding fathers wanted a centralized government. Statesmen such as Patrick Henry and John DeWitt argued for a decentralized government with a minimal central government. These men saw that the government as depicted in the Constitution would not represent the people adequately and that rights and liberties recently won from England would be lost.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about the political thought which shaped our Constitution.

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63 of 65 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Great But Incomplete March 4, 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Everyone is probably familiar with what the Anti-Federalist papers are, and the other reviews do a great job of explaining this aspect for those who aren't, so there is no great need to do it again. Needless to say, familiarity with the basic Anti-Federalist arguments and their general themes is essential to understanding the foundation from which the Constitution arose and the twists its historical development would undertake. Believe it or not, but strains of Anti-Federalism are apparent even in today's politics, like the arguments for state power found in debates about topics like abortion or gay-marriage.

The biggest question to ask before buying this book, then, isn't why the information is important, but why you should pay money for something that can be found for free online. There are several reasons, for which I give this edition 4 stars:

First, it is an accompaniment to the Signet Classics edition of the Federalist Papers, and has a variety of cross-references to it. If you have both, it makes the search for certain topics and both sides' arguments in its regard much easier.

Second, it has a great introduction. The problem with approaching the Anti-Federalists without any editorial priming beforehand (whether from an introduction, a class, or both) is that one becomes liable to think of the group as nothing but a rag-tag group of guys with as many different opinions as there are men professing them, whose only point of unity is their opposition to Federalism. Their negative name--the "Anti-"Federalists--implies this, after all, and Madison himself tries to play off this point in one of his papers. The masterful introduction tries to prevent this, by expounding on the fundamental, unifying vision of the Federalists, the Anti-Federalists, and exactly how the two differed.

Lastly, there is a variety of tables of ideas that make finding specific points of opposition to specific topics that much easier.

For these three reasons, on top of the simple fact that it groups together all the scattered Anti-Federalist essays (making it more likely that you will actually read them), I believe this book is worth the $8 that it costs today.

It does have some issues, however. First, the paper quality is the same as of the Federalist Papers edition I reviewed before, with the same associated defect of leaving ink blotches behind on your finger. For some reason, it actually leaves less ink than the Federalist Papers, but the pulpy texture is still unpleasant. Second, and most important, is the relatively sparsity of the essays included. As it is, if you take a class that touches on this topic, you will invariably end up having to find several essays online that were not included into this edition. There presently seems to be no medium alternative between buying a sparse edition like this and a full anthology that can cost into the thousands of dollars, however, so you're not likely to find anything better.
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192 of 212 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
These often intense and firey speeches made by the Anti-Federalists or the detractors of the Constitution (as it was being written and then debated) are powerful, passionate and sharp enough to make one feel these words were meant to be weapons, i.e., the front line defense of the freedom and liberty we so easily take for granted today. I feel that much of what is wrong in our political system today was predicted here, and what would constitute the only real solution, i.e., active, democratic citizenship, is also demonstrated here in their willingness to fight against tyranny with reason and passion. How much greater our public debates would be today if this were required reading for all citizens! "Politics" would be thought well of again and refer to what citizens do in noble service to communities, close to home and far away. Do yourself a favor, get inspired again as to the original principles and purpose of democracy, read this book, and believe again! And do something!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars If only they taught this stuff in school
This book has the constitutional convention debates and the essays on the patriots who did not want to adopt the constitution. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Texas Patriot
5.0 out of 5 stars love it
came as advertised in excellent shape & on time -- will do business with them again as they are the real deal
Published 2 months ago by Anthony S. Cheng
5.0 out of 5 stars The Other History
nothing like perspective to counter the illusions and myths we grew up with and face daily in our culture - thanks to this collection of contemporary colonial writings
Published 3 months ago by Lloyd Klinedinst
5.0 out of 5 stars book: The Anti-Federalist Papers and...
Few enough read The Federalist Papers. I suspect that far fewer even know that there were a rebuttal series of essays written by those who thought the Founding Fathers had... Read more
Published 3 months ago by NorthTXguy
4.0 out of 5 stars Great
This book should be required reading for all American Citizens before they are allowed to vote. This book will help people to understand the reason behind their rights.
Published 4 months ago by slide112
4.0 out of 5 stars liberty
This book tears the mask off of the lies and Federalist bias taught in every American school. The Anti-Federalists spoke the truth on behalf of the People. Read more
Published 4 months ago by porco rosso
5.0 out of 5 stars bought as a companion to Federalist papers
Bought as a companion to Federalist papers.as a gift to a family member-can't wait to rear it myself.Good quality binding
Published 4 months ago by clifton cuzzourt
5.0 out of 5 stars Get into the minds of those who didn't necessarily want a republic
The flip side to the Federalist Papers and the great debates that gave us the form of government we have today as a Republic. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ar Burbeck
5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE for EVERYONE!
This and the Federalist Papers should be a MUST read for all highschoolers and college age teens.

The lack of knowledge of the principles and ideals that our country was... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Brock Young
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Think there is tough debate in Congress today? Read this...foundation to our US Constitution did not come easy and without consideration of a central government that would not... Read more
Published 19 months ago by G. Wood
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