Alexander Hamilton is one of the most important, most misunderstood and most under studied Americans ever. He is the central figure in establishing the Federal Bank, as different as it is today from what it was then. He is responsible for the majority of the Federalist Papers, the most important documents produced in support of the Federal Constitutuon and the heated debates it entailed. But another thing most people don't know is that he is an American Revolution hero, serving, with distinction under Geroge Washington, receiving his highest praise and becoming his right hand man. He is the most elegant and gifted of writers. To understand his beginnings, read Alexander Hamilton: American by Richard Brookheiser, and understand the humble beginnings he was born into, working as a store clerk in the West Indies, educating himself in America and turning himself into one of the Americans who has a true grasp on the English language. His politics aside, he was a brilliant man. He was a gentleman and he was honest. He was a mna full of pride and great courage. He refused to let himself be bad mouthed, accepting Aronn Burr's duel, but he refused to fire at his opponent, instead firing into the air. A very honourable end to a great American. His writing are essntial to understand his life and his mind, his political orientation and lifelong goals. Not only that, but this is great literature. This receives my highest recommendation.

With this volume, the Library of America continues its project presenting the best of American culture and thought in an accessible way.

The subject of this volume is Alexander Hamilton. Although John Adams has frequently been regarded as the least understood of the Founders, Hamilton has his own plausible claim to this honor. History has not treated Hamilton kindly. He has certain obvious flaws in terms of arrogance,temper, and judgment.These flaws are amply revealed in this collection of writings. Hamilton, nevertheless, has much to teach us about government and about our country. This collection of his writings is a treasure.

At the outset, I was reluctant to begin a project of reading this volume through in its entirety. As my reading progressed, I couldn't put the volume down.

The book covers all phases of Hamilton's political and personal life, from its beginnings in what is now the U.S. Virgin Islands to his death at age 49 in the notorious duel with Aaron Burr. The heart of the book begins with Hamilton's role in the Constitutional Convention, in which he advocated for a strong Federal government and, in particular for a strong Executive. The book continues with Hamilton's 51 contributions to "The Federalist" in which he explained the Constitution to the people of the State of New York in terms which remain a seminal exposition of the basic governing document of the United States. Again the focus is on the need for a strong central government with a will and ability to act for the public good.

Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury. This book gives us long selections from his work in which he advocated forcefully for having the Federal government pay the Revolutionary War Debt, for founding the Bank of the United States, and in promoting industry in the fledgling United States. These works divided Hamilton from Jefferson and Madison and became the basis of partisan politics in the United States.
In defending the constitutionality of the National Bank from attacks from Jefferson and Madison, Hamilton set the foundation for an expansive view of the power of the Federal government under the constitution. This view was controversial in its time and remains so. Hamilton's position, however, has largely come to prevail over the years and is an important basis for our governmental structure as it has developed over time.

The book includes Hamilton's public confession of an adulterous affair, his criticism of John Adams which divided and doomed the Federalist party, and Hamilton's own political career, and documents regarding Hamilton's fatal duel with Aaron Burr.

There is much to be learned from this book. Hamilton was a paradoxical figure both behind and ahead of his time. This is a valuable work for understanding our country. Kudos to the Library of America for allowing us to learn.

With this volume, Alexander Hamilton assumes his rightful place in the ranks of the Library of America -- not only as a key historical figure in the founding of the Republic, but as a master of political argument and writing. With care and sensitivity, Prof. Joanne B. Freeman of Yale University has assembled the best and most comprehensive one-volume Hamilton collection ever assembled -- but she has done something even more important: She has presented us with a thorough, judicious, and enlightening documentary life of Hamilton. This book will be indispensable to anyone who wants to understand the origins of the Constitution, of the American economy, and of the nation's political system and public life. It also will be indispensable to anyone who wants to understand Alexander Hamilton as a political, constitutional, and economic thinker, as a key shaper of American government and public policy, and as a human being.

-- R. B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School

A wonderful little book with the most important selections of The Federalist, each section followed by brief commentary connecting it to current situations.

Jefferson called the original the "best commentary on the principles of government ever written"; here are what some others have said about Dr. Saxey's excellent edition:

A "delectable book."
R. Emmett Tyrell, Jr.
The American Spectator

"A must read."
Mark Brunelle
The Oregon Observer

"Thank you...I will keep this important work in my office."
Clarence Thomas
The Supreme Court

"The rhetoric on Capitol Hill makes this book compulsory."
The Book Reader

A very pleasant surprise, indeed! I am a normal, working class citizen and was given this book as a gift. My initial reaction was, "I will get to this when I can", but after turning the first 9 pages, I could not put it down!

Dr. Saxey's goal is the same as the original authors; his intent is to assist every voter in reading and understanding the Constitution, and he accomplishes that goal in style!

Saxey guides the reader through the Federalist papers step by step; first quoting the authors of the Federalist - James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Following each topic, he adds a short commentary of each section and then describes how past and present administrations have abided by or abused the Constition and the ramifications of doing so.

Dr. Saxey takes us on a journey of our political history and points out "red flags", misuse of government power and where our future as a Nation lies accordng to how the Constituiton has been interpreted in our time and ramifications if changes are not made. He points out the net effect of excessive legislation which has become epidemic, illustrates how the limitations of terms has been misunderstood as well as the effect of entrenched power based on a seniority system in the House of Representatives.

One of my favorite sections, on page 55 is regarding the character of those representing the people/states. Saxey states " Character matters. It matters not only in candidates for public office, but in the CITIZENS who vote for them" (emphasis added). Roderick Saxey quotes Alexis de Tocqueville who spoke of the greatness of America, and who said "America is great because she is good and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great"! How appropriate for these times. The delightful surprise here, is that the Author's personality shines through what could be for some, difficult reading. His humor and humility are evident and enjoyable enough that you wish you could sit at a fireside chat and probe his intellect and insight further. For passionate American's this is a must read. I recommend it for any US History course and for any person seeking citizenship into our Nation! If a second edition comes forth, I'd like to hear more from Dr. Saxey himself, as his discourse is insighful, logical, sensible.

As history teaches us, we must look where we are headed as a nation and to do that, we must re-evaluate what our Founding Fathers intended for America and her people. "The Federalist", by Dr. Roderick Saxey accomplishes this and stands apart from other Federalist publications. I recommend that you find it, read it and keep it on your desk! An excellent source of stimulating conversation!

I discovered Prof. Stourzh's book by accident in 1974 in a Dallas bookstore at a time when I was writing a term paper on the statesmanship of Alexander Hamilton. Every book (then current) that I came across seemed to dwell on collateral things (e.g. the Jefferson vs. Hamilton thing, or the "Maria Reynolds Affair" etc.) that purported to explain Hamilton as "man and politician", and therefore explain Hamilton's "politics". But since I was already well read in Aristotle, Cicero, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Locke, Montesquieu, The Federal Convention Notes, The Federalist, de Tocqueville, etc.; and since I was already familiar with THE quintessential theme running throughout all of political philosophy -- namely, the critical role of "founder" in the establishment of good government -- I found every book on Hamilton to be grossly inadequate for my needs, and even a bit presumptuous and overrated . . . that is, until I came across Prof. Stourzh's book on Alexander Hamilton & The Idea of Republican Government.

Here is an author who hits the bull's eye of the target. With the exception of only one other author (Professor Paul Eidelberg, who has written excellently on The American Founding), I seriously doubt there will ever be another writer on Hamilton who will surpass Professor Stourzh's understanding of Alexander Hamilton as Hamilton understood himself -- a statesman of the first order, founder of republican government, driven by that ruling passion of the noblest minds: Honor. Professor Stourzh's book captures this essence. There is tremendous depth to this book. Therefore, you don't read this book -- you STUDY this book, in exactly the same way that you study Aristotle's POLITICS or Machiavelli's PRINCE. That is, word-by-word, line-by-line, paragraph-by-paragraph, and then you start over again.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON & THE IDEA OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT is one of those "great books" that is truly a classic. That is, its value is universal and timeless. The fact that this book is out-of-print is, ironically, a testament to its enduring value. The fact that this book is out-of-print means that its would-be purchaser must search long and hard to find this treasure trove. This effort only prepares the reader for what he must do, next, if he is to truly appreciate this book once the reader finds it: Again, this book is intended to be read word-by-word, line-by-line, paragraph-by-paragraph, and then you start over again, this time with pen & paper in hand. This book should be on the shelf of every man and woman who is a serious student of republican government, whether he or she be teacher, professor, lawyer, judge, politician, or aspiring statesman -- or plain old, ordinary citizen.

In short, Professor Stourzh is THE author on Alexander Hamilton who understands Hamilton and Hamilton's Statesmanship, BEST.

Finally! A compelling defense of the Founder second only to Washington in terms of indespensibility to the creation and greatness of this county. Professor Knott chronicles the roller-coaster ride of Hamilton's reputation, from his murder by the scoundral Burr to the present. He presents overwhelming evidence that General Hamilton has been abused by critics, historians and Jefferson-lovers alike. Knott's painstaking history of the apochryphal "great beast" comment provides a frightening lesson of how a single malicious report can turn even a great man's historical reputation upside down. The fact that Mr. Hamilton's solitary statue stands ignored at the back door of the Treasury Department while Mr. Jefferson is surrounded by marble and carved words perfectly illustrates how the myth of greatness trumps the reality of greatness. Professor Knott's conclusion that "a return to Hamiltonianism" could fix much of what ails American politics is right on the money. Fantastic book.

John C. Miller's biography of Alexander Hamilton is an excellent read. Miller goes through Hamilton's life from the West Indies to his death at the hands of Aaron Burr i 1804. Hamilton, a man of intense ambition and ego, emerges as a brilliant and flawed man. Hamilton was a proponent of strong central government, had no faith in ordinary people, and believed the wealthy were meant to rule. Miller brings out all of these views and provides good commentary. He outlines Hamilton's proposed government at the Constitutional Convention: an executive and senate appointed for life, the executive with an absolute veto, governors and judges appointed by the executive for life, with an absolute veto over their assemblies. If you want to see the real Hamilton this is the biography.

Before he was killed in the celebrated dual, Hamilton was a facinating and often bizarre individual, one of the many flawed characters who gave birth to our remarkable Federal system. This book is less about his Federalist policies than about his psychological makeup and personal scandals. It doesn't go into much detail about his government career or economic theories, but it is easy to read and provides plenty of entertainment. It turns out, Hamilton and Burr were made for each other.

An essential book for every American both young or old, male or female, Democrat or Republican. A delightful discovery on the need of God and guns (or perhaps swords) in the United States and the intolerance of a government in charge of all but answerable to noone. An undeniably perfect fit for todays culture.

Discover your roots from the men that gave their lives for the signing of the Constitution; true heroes. Their resolve was unquestionable and the love for country without reproach.

They brought us so far. We've walked away. Read it and weep. BK

The introduction is great, but the journey through the different political writings is the best.

This is not a review, simply a correction of your listing of this book--it is not by Alexander Hamilton, it is by Hamilton and James Madison, being an exchange of arguments between them.

If you are going to read "The Federalist Papers," you must also read "The Anti-Federalist Papers" in order to get the complete picture. Both books cross-reference each other, and both are instrumental in understanding how our government was designed and how it was intended to work. In addition to the Papers, this edition also contains the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and an excellent introduction by Charles Kesler.

In a time when each colony had its own "constitution," the Federalists believed in creating one strong centralized government (with one Constitution) that could effectively represent the people. The authors and supporters of the Constitution knew that they could not afford to lose the vote in the state ratifying conventions. In an effort to win over his home state (New York), Alexander Hamilton, with the assistance of James Madison and John Jay, began a collection of 85 essays and published them under the pseudonym of "Publius" (named after one of the founders and heroes of the Roman republic, Publius Valerius Publicola). The Papers, published in 1787 and 1788, analyze and defend the proposed Constitution of the United States.

Obviously, the Federalists succeeded in winning the colonists' support. But even though the anti-federalists lost, their ideas were also brilliant and made an important contribution to the history of our government, which is why you should also read "The Anti-Federalist Papers."

This book is a must-read for all Americans. After reading this book, you will have a renewed appreciation and admiration for the wisdom and vision of our founding fathers.

If you are going to read "The Federalist Papers," you must also read "The Anti-Federalist Papers" in order to get the complete picture. Both books cross-reference each other and both are instrumental in understanding how our government was designed and how it was intended to work. In addition to the Papers, this edition also contains the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and an excellent introduction by Charles Kesler.

In a time when each colony had its own "constitution," the Federalists believed in creating one strong centralized government (with one Constitution) that could effectively represent the people. The authors and supporters of the Constitution knew that they could not afford to lose the vote in the state ratifying conventions. In an effort to win over his home state (New York), Alexander Hamilton, with the assistance of James Madison and John Jay, began a collection of 85 essays and published them under the pseudonym of "Publius" (named after one of the founders and heroes of the Roman republic, Publius Valerius Publicola). The Papers, published in 1787 and 1788, analyze and defend the proposed Constitution of the United States.

The Federalists succeeded in winning the colonists' support. But, even though the anti-federalists lost, their ideas were also brilliant and made an important contribution to the history of our government, which is why you should also read "The Anti-Federalist Papers."

This book is a must-read for all Americans. After reading this book, you will have a renewed appreciation and admiration for the wisdom and vision of our founding fathers.

I found this book to be one of the best books I ever read. Instead of giving a lay understanding of some of the arguments, I would like to note what I found exceptional about this book: the footnotes. The footnotes of this book gave detailed accounts of historical references made that shed much light on where the arguments were coming from. There is so much to be had from this book that I know I will read it at least five more times. Should be required reading by all Americans.