Thomas Jefferson Versus Alexander Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a Nation (Bedford Series in History & Culture) [Hardcover]

Noble E. Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2000 | Series: Bedford Series in History & Culture

This documentary study of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton focuses on their differing views of society and government in the formative years of the new American nation. Interweaving more than 40 documents into 7 chronological chapters, the text follows the lives and careers of the two men from their youth, through the Revolutionary War, to the death of Hamilton in 1804. In each chapter, generous excerpts from their public papers and private letters reveal the two men's often divergent views on government and the Constitution, economic and foreign policy, and the military, and illustrate the roles they played in the emergence of political parties.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This ninth volume in the "Bedford Series in History and Culture" focuses on two adversarial American legends, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. As with other works in this series, the format, which combines narrative commentary with primary documents, emphasizes brevity. In a succinct narrative that composes less than half the volume, Cunningham (emeritus, history, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia) once again demonstrates his considerable skill as historian and writer. Numerous key letters, speeches, reports, and other primary documents interwoven into the text illustrate fundamental differences between the democrat from an established family and the equally talented social outsider with an even sharper entrepreneur's eye. The "Bedford" series is aimed at college American history courses, and this latest volume will be useful in that setting. It will also appeal to general readers who want mini-biographies and samples of the written works of these two American political giants.DWilliam D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Selections from the writings of two of the foremost antagonists among the Founding Fathers, edited and explained by historian and biographer Cunningham (In Pursuit of Reason, 1987). Cunningham's efforts will forever dispel any romantic notions that the Founding Fathers were a troop of amiable Boy Scouts. The Jefferson and Hamilton on display here are fierce opponents, each absolutely convinced that the other was a danger to the fledgling country. Cunningham has juxtaposed some of the principal writings of both men (most of the pieces are excerpts) and supplied some genial commentary--all intended to reveal how the two leading political figures faced the major issues of their day. Hamilton (younger than Jefferson by 12 years) did not trust the general public: The people are turbulent and changing, he wrote in 1787, they seldom judge or determine right. Jefferson, by contrast, had supreme faith in the electorate and wished to guarantee the survival of liberty by improving the education of the common people. Cunningham reveals that there is no record of the first meeting between the men, but they both were members of Washington's first cabinet--Jefferson was Secretary of State, and Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury. Their first important clash was over the formation of the national bank (Hamilton favored it--and won). Jefferson hated Hamilton's fondness for paper currency and later wrote Washington that he believed he had been duped by Hamilton and made a tool for forwarding his schemes. Hamilton later called Jefferson a contemptible hypocrite and could not bring himself to credit Jefferson even for Louisiana, whose purchase, sniped Hamilton, was due to fortuitous . . . circumstances rather than any wise or vigorous measure. Cunningham concludes--somewhat superfluously--that both men contributed greatly to the shaping of the American nation. As this useful volume of powerful prose ably illustrates, what often survives a political collision is moral clarity. (10 illustrations) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (July 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031222821X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312228217
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #837,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( H ) > Hamilton, Alexander

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great., March 28, 2006

By 

Publius - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jefferson vs. Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a Nation (Paperback)

This book helps give the reader an excellent prespective on how the Federalists and Anti-Federalists helped shape our nation though debate and press.

I enjoyed this book because it is more of a collection of letters, from both Jefferson and Hamilton, leaving it up to you on how to interpret their stances and personalities.

5.0 out of 5 stars likw new, September 24, 2011

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shannon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jefferson vs. Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a Nation (Paperback)

on time like new great price and wonderful facts for history class i enjoy using amazon.com the books come way before the order says and in great condition.

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, September 30, 2009

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** "clayspinner" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thomas Jefferson Versus Alexander Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a Nation (Bedford Series in History & Culture) (Hardcover)

Although there are some interesting things here, the choice is somewhat strange and the limited number of papers disappointing. Missing for example, is something from Hamilton's Federalist Papers (which I think most people would consider his most important writing) or Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia . Perhaps Cunningham felt these are too well known. However, we then have Jefferson's Inaugural Address and Kentucky Resolutions which are very well known. Most importantly, I would have expected a much greater sampling of original materials considering the volume that are available from both Jefferson and Hamilton.