John Taylor may be well worth studying, but this book is not the way to do it. I can't imagine why anyone would think of publishing this book again today. It was probably a great series of writings at the time, but it's long since outlived any usefulness, and it's hardly gained any historical intrigue.

John Taylor of Caroline was the most brilliant political thinker among the Jeffersonian Republicans (including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison). Unlike some of the others (such as Jefferson and Madison), he was a successful farmer whose primary interest was, well, farming. This book is about 40% political theory and about 60% practical (and now outdated) advice on farming. Read it for the thoughts of one of Jefferson's top lieutenants on the likely effects of the new American constitutional and economic order on agriculture, as well as for "Old Republicanism" (of which Taylor was the leading exponent, despite himself). I give it three stars only because the book will be of interest almost solely to historians and those of a historical bent.

Arator is a series of essays that link farming and American politcs. Taylor's use of farming as a vehicle to discuss politics predates a similar move made 100 years later by the Nashville Agrarians (see I'll Take My Stand). I agree with other reviewers who state that Arator no longer gives practical advice on farming. But the sections on *why* farming is important should still be read. Students of Haiti/Haitian history should also read Arator. Taylor's discussion of slavery hinges on his perceptions about the Haitian revolution. It should be noted that the essays in Arator were serially published the same year Haitians defeated the French. And Arator was first collected into book form (widely read and went through many printing runs) at approximately the same time Haiti was becoming a united nation. So students of politics, of history, of the South, and of Haiti will find something valuable between the covers.