Customer Reviews

The Creation of Washington, D.C.

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This book provides a riveting account of America's first great compromise: the location of the capital. I could not put it down, marveling at how many times the capital was almost here or almost there, fascinated by the leaders involved in the debate. There is much to learn and understand well beyond how the capital came to be located in WDC: the embryonic and fragile balance of new states and regional interests, the other issues pressing on the country, such as assumption of state war debts, the economic interests and prospects of various factions, visions of how America's economy would blossom, the kernals of the Civil War, and especially, a deep insight and understanding of our country's early leaders, above all, George Washington, James Madison, and several Lees of Virginia. This is a must read not only for DC residents like me, but for anyone fascinated by our country's early days. This book made me want to be a fly on the wall at many of the pivotal proceedings and secret meetings that decided the location of our now beautiful capital city.