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121 reviews for:
The Federalist Papers: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
3.85 AVERAGE
121 reviews for:
The Federalist Papers: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
3.85 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
This is an important read. I think it’s very informative. But I have read microwave instruction manuals that are more interesting then this boring ass dry book.
This is the sort of book you read (or I read, anyway) because you think it'll be good for you, not because you expect it to be fun. Your literary lima beans, to better inform your understanding of American civics and provide insight into the motivations and thoughts of the much-referred-to-and-presumed-upon founding fathers. It's propaganda from the Federalist side of the movement, which is important to keep in mind, because although they won (we got this constitution ratified, yay!), and thereby established the government we have kept more or less intact to this day, their purpose in writing these was to justify the constitution and persuade others to join them in arguing for its adoption. Sometimes their arguments seem sketchy, or at least seem to glide over what might be legitimate complaints or counterarguments. However, in most cases, from a perspective 200+ years on, the things that seem to have been glaringly ill-conceived or missed are things that were either unthought-of at that period of time, or very difficult to conceive of when writing from the perspective of a nation that had just collectively risked everything in order to obtain liberty and franchise for its citizens. I feel certain that Alexander Hamilton and his contemporaries would have gaped in complete bewilderment at the prospect of a nation where only 1/3 of the citizens exercise their right to vote. Having just put their lives on the line, it would be literally unthinkable to them.
To lightly touch on my actual reading experience, it's a dense, difficult read, in part because of the subject matter and in part because of the tone. Certain papers, particularly the ones that give elaborate and detailed lessons in ancient political systems of government (I'm looking at you, Madison) were particularly grueling. Many of the papers in the later half of the collection, however, proved insightful and very interesting, as they delved into the significance and arguments in favor of the particular structure of the various offices of the federal government. I treated this like a study assignment and demanded 4 papers a day from myself, allowing myself to read something fluffier with my remaining daily time, and that worked pretty well, although a few ultra-long papers still threw me off kilter.
To lightly touch on my actual reading experience, it's a dense, difficult read, in part because of the subject matter and in part because of the tone. Certain papers, particularly the ones that give elaborate and detailed lessons in ancient political systems of government (I'm looking at you, Madison) were particularly grueling. Many of the papers in the later half of the collection, however, proved insightful and very interesting, as they delved into the significance and arguments in favor of the particular structure of the various offices of the federal government. I treated this like a study assignment and demanded 4 papers a day from myself, allowing myself to read something fluffier with my remaining daily time, and that worked pretty well, although a few ultra-long papers still threw me off kilter.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
No huge into political or lawyer speak, but much of what I know about government and the constitution is much more (lawyered) cleared explained. What I wonder is why this doesn't appear to be required reading (yearly) for politicians. Still, I am glad to have gotten a glimpse into the foundations of our government. My favorites, 56 (my copy 367-2), 62 (402-3) & 70 (457-3).
Compellingly written, well-argued pieces that allow us an excellent (if admittedly one-sided) perspective on American political views of the day. Jay's role is minor and his pieces not particular highlights, but Madison and Hamilton are superb, and for holding such different viewpoints, their writing melds together as smoothly as butter. Best-read in spurts, and I would strongly recommend complementing it with the Anti-Federalist Papers to get a different flavor of the day.
The Federalist Papers are the essential source for those students of civics and history who wish for a better understanding of the purpose and intended function of the American Constitution. Being inside the minds of these three founding fathers and lawyers is insightful, amusing (in Hamilton's case particularly, in witnessing his condescension and using his papers as a source of delightful vitriol), and at times tedious. (Again, I'm looking at you, Hamilton, and your essays on commerce and that abysmally long discourse on trial by jury. Verbosity is indeed your strength.)
For dilettantes and enthusiasts of this subject matter: certain papers are exceedingly insightful. It's difficult for the modern American to imagine living in a time where North Carolina was as sovereign an entity as Mexico is to us today.
For teachers, there's no better source in helping to understand the purpose of our constitution in order to instruct our students. As a civics teacher, this was exceedingly helpful as a source. Forget secondary sources. It was a refreshing reminder to myself (that I haven't had since college) that the richest source of information is always the original. Trite, but true.
For realists, there's no better source for the fallacy of how our government operates today compared to what our forefathers intended. It becomes obvious that our republic is truly outdated, and while it was a brilliant gamble of enlightenment theory put into practice, it functioned ideally within its natural, historical context. In the 21st Century, many of Madison's and Hamilton's assertions of what must be true -- based on their flawed logic with little actual evidence [A leads to B which must conclude with D] -- and what good men and a responsible electorate will allow is laughable, and I did indeed laugh out loud at their castle on a cloud ideals as much as Hamilton's vituperative pen. Our country would never fall to faction. HA. The Electoral College will be used to root out corruption. HA.
Read this to remember and understand the intentions for an 18th Century Republic. Read this and question how that republic should continue to function in the 21st.
For dilettantes and enthusiasts of this subject matter: certain papers are exceedingly insightful. It's difficult for the modern American to imagine living in a time where North Carolina was as sovereign an entity as Mexico is to us today.
For teachers, there's no better source in helping to understand the purpose of our constitution in order to instruct our students. As a civics teacher, this was exceedingly helpful as a source. Forget secondary sources. It was a refreshing reminder to myself (that I haven't had since college) that the richest source of information is always the original. Trite, but true.
For realists, there's no better source for the fallacy of how our government operates today compared to what our forefathers intended. It becomes obvious that our republic is truly outdated, and while it was a brilliant gamble of enlightenment theory put into practice, it functioned ideally within its natural, historical context. In the 21st Century, many of Madison's and Hamilton's assertions of what must be true -- based on their flawed logic with little actual evidence [A leads to B which must conclude with D] -- and what good men and a responsible electorate will allow is laughable, and I did indeed laugh out loud at their castle on a cloud ideals as much as Hamilton's vituperative pen. Our country would never fall to faction. HA. The Electoral College will be used to root out corruption. HA.
Read this to remember and understand the intentions for an 18th Century Republic. Read this and question how that republic should continue to function in the 21st.
Well worth the hype around it. Must read for anyone interested in history, politics, or law. Suggest taking it slow, about 3 "papers" a day, at most, to make it more digestible.