The Federalist Papers: In Modern Language : Indexed for Today's Political Issues (Paperback)

~ Mary E. Webster (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Federalist Papers are among the most important Founding Documents in the birth of the United States of America. The whole original debate over the Constitution is laid out here in detail for all to see. But most Americans have never read them. Why? Because they were written in the florid and complex language of 18th century politics. Now the Federalist Papers have been translated into modern American English. If you can read a newspaper, you can now read the Federalist Papers. See how the Founding Fathers foresaw the problems of impeachment, of corruption in government, of representation and all the other headline-grabbing issues we read about today! This new edition is indexed for today's political issues, a feature found no where else! This title covers such topics as: the Clinton Impeachment; regulatory excess; bumbling bureaucracy; and, gun control. Just see the index and find out what the Federalist Papers say about it! This title is a publishing event of major importance.

From the Author

updated e-mail address (August, 2000)[e-mail]

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Merril Press; 1 edition (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936783214
• ISBN-13: 978-0936783215
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #214,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must-have" reference, June 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Kent, WA) - See all my reviews

Mary Webster's new book "The Federalist Papers--In Modern Language Indexed for Today's Political Issues" is a "must-have" reference work. If you are a serious student, a teacher, a professional or just interested in Constitutional issues, Miss Webster's book should be there next to your dictionary. Any of us who have delved into the original Federalist Papers know what a confusing morass of run-on, page long sentences you sometimes find. Miss Webster's book can save you hours of trying to parse those difficult sentences written in antique English. But don't expect some of those troubling ambiguities--like, "What does this 'it' refer to?"--to be cleared up. Miss Webster's stated objective was to TRANSLATE rather than to interpret. However, the cleaned up text will make it easier for you to make your own interpretation. Near the front of the book you will find a complete copy of The US Constitution. That's very handy for those of us who go off looking for our lost copy whenever our ire is aroused by some questionable interpretation. Almost as handy is the "map" provided next to the Constitution showing which parts are associated with which paragraphs in the Federalist Papers. Worth the price alone is the extensive index associating political issues with the appropriate paragraphs in the Federalist Papers. You no longer have to be an "expert" who has memorized the "Papers" to quickly turn to the proper paragraphs. Miss Webster's book might not be something we'd sit down and read from cover to cover. How many of us do that with an encyclopedia or dictionary? But when the need arises, they are extremely handy to have on the bookshelf.

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Founding Fathers brought up to date, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

Mary Webster has performed a great service She has edited the Federalist into modern language and indexed it for present-day political issues. We hear a great deal today of what the Founding Fathers intended. But today for the most part our children are denied the privilige of reading the Federalist, Which tells us what the framers really thought. Reading these documents tells us that much of what our government does in the name of the constitution is the farthest thing from the mind of the Founders. How many people out there know what the Founders thought about impeachment, taxes, gun control. All you have to do to find out is read the Federalist papers. I am a teacher at one of the few schools that still require their students to read the Federalist. And I can tell you first hand that Mary Webster's book was a major asset to me in teaching this past year. Because of her book I was able to relate the Federalist to the great issues of our time and the students interest came alive. Wheather you are a teacher or not I highly reccomend this book.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What it Means to be American , November 17, 2006

By	!Edwin C. Pauzer (New York City) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Although I thought I had a fairly good command of American history, the Federalist Papers reminds me of what it means to be American, and that I needed to learn a great deal more. It describes something lost. It reminds us that there was a time when everyone was involved in society and government, that people took pride in political discussion, and lacked the cynicism and neglect that Americans have today. It was political discussion that lacked name-calling, rabid conservatism or liberalism that so divides us deeply. And in the middle, are the people who just don't care. Being American is not just about waving the flag, it really is about earning a Ph.d in citizenship, and the Federalist Papers provides the opportunity for achieving it.

Many reviews describe books they think should be textbooks for school. These screeds are usually attempts at revisionism that should be anything but textbooks or required reading. The Federalist Papers should be both. They should be discussed daily and the earlier, the better. It should be the New Testament of America, and the Constitution should be the Old.

I was drawn toward this edition for two reasons: 1) it is modern language that made it a bit easier for me to comprehend. 2) After listening to arguments by Senator Byrd of West Virginia, and the misinterpretation of the Constitution by Sean Hannity, I felt it almost a civic duty to make the purchase. Much of it is now highlighted in yellow.

I hope you too will feel bound to purchase the Federalist Papers in any form. It's what it means to be American.