The Federalist [Paperback]

Jacob E. Cooke (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 1982 | ISBN-10: 0819560774 | ISBN-13: 978-0819560773 | Edition: annotated edition

The definitive edition of the historic essays by ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES MADISON and JOHN JAY, fully annotated and reproduced from the original text.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The work known as The Federalist was initially published as newspaper installations throughout 1787 and 1788. The "Gideon" edition was published in 1818 and includes corrections to earlier editions by James Madison and Hamilton. This version includes those texts plus a new introduction, notes, a glossary, and the complete Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, and U.S. Constitution with cross references. A high-quality, scholarly edition for a great price.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"The present edition . . . is the most complete and accurate that has yet appeared . . . 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 in part at least."--Dumas Malone, History Book Club Review

"Cooke studied the text of the complete Federalist, and happily for scholars, he determined to print this separate edition embodying his discoveries. He ends at last our previous ignorance in two important areas: first, in recording the printing history of the individual essays in the four New York papers where they originally appeared; second, in reporting all the changes the Publius (Hamilton and Madison) made (or sanctioned) in the primary newspaper text when it was reissued in book form in 1788, 1802 and 1817. Cooke's edition, thus, is the first definitive, variorum edition of the text of this much reprinted classic."--Douglas Adair, The William and Mary Quarterly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 702 pages
• Publisher: Wesleyan; annotated edition edition (July 15, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819560774
• ISBN-13: 978-0819560773
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #960,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Least Five Stars, May 24, 2005

By 

Reader (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Federalist (Hardcover)

The Federalist was an astonishing political document. Written for public consumption during the debate over adoption of the U.S. Constitution, it combined immense learning and sophistication with shrewd insights into the nature of politics in a republic. It's an essential text for anyone interested in American political history or constitutional theory. In fact, the Federalist should be essential readingt for any educated American: it remains an unparalleled example of realistic political analysis being placed in the service of political ideals.

After more than 200 years, the Federalist has lost little of its relevance. The sections on judicial review and Presidential nominations, for example, could have been written about current controversies over judges. Likewise, the discussion of Presidential war powers, or the emphasis on checks and balances as essential to the preservation of liberty, are eerily topical in an age of pre-emptive war and one-party control of Washington. Even when the analysis is wildly dated -- as with the Commerce Clause or slavery -- the reader can see how far Constitutional doctrine has wandered from the "intent" of the Founders.

The Federalist is also superb as literature: the writing is droll and eloquent, once you get used to the long, convoluted sentences. The introduction by Benjamin Wright is excellent and helps to place the text in political and intellectual context. I don't know why I wasn't forced to read the Federalist at law school! Six stars.

Note: Contrary to one review below, God is hardly mentioned in the Federalist, and then only as a rhetorical flourish. The Federalist has countless references to ancient Greece and Rome, but none to the Old or New Testaments. It is a thoroughly secular document. Religious nationalists and other conservatives should actually read it.

4.0 out of 5 stars All the backround information is very helpful to understanding, February 16, 2012

By 

A. Derrick "curious" (california) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Federalist (Paperback)

Each essay is highlighted by a description of the reason for the publishing and the target of the work, and the timing of it..

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - Must read, January 14, 2012

By 

Paul C. Darrigo (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Federalist (Great Minds Series) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. The text is larger and easier to read. The material itself is excellent in understanding the reasoning behind the constitution, realizing it's not some fast contrived, living breathing document but a well thought and meticulously designed Frame for our Country for everyone.