The Federalist Papers

＂Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.＂

Included here are the best essays from the most important American contribution to the literature of political science and constitutional government, The Federalist. These essays appeared first in 1787-88 as a series of articles in New York City’s newspapers to explain and defend the proposed Constitution of the United States. Ever since, they have been read and studied around the world for their examination of the challenges of constitution-making and the innovative features of the Constitution.

The authors of The Federalist were three of the greatest politicians and political thinkers in U.S. history: Alexander Hamilton and John Jay of New York, and James Madison of Virginia. Hamilton and Madison were delegates to the Federal Convention, which framed the Constitution; Jay helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the American Revolution and won British recognition of American independence.

This edition also includes John Jay’s An Address to the People of the State of New York, a copy of the American Constitution as well as the Amendments, making it a brilliant reference guide to American constitutional history.

Filled with beautiful full-color illustrations throughout, its deluxe presentation makes this book a wonderful gift or collectible for any history enthusiast.

Fourth President of the United States, James Madison (1751-1836) became known as the ’father’ of the Constitution because of his influence in planning it and in helping to draw up the Bill of Rights. Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) was secretary and aide-de-camp to George Washington. He became a Member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. John Jay (1745-1829) wrote The Address to the People of Great Britain, stating the case of the early settlers, which won him great acclaim and he also helped to ensure the approval of the Declaration of Independence in New York.

Edited by R.B. Bernstein, Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School, Lecturer in Political Science, Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, City College of New York and author of Thomas Jefferson and The Founding Fathers Reconsidered (both for Oxford University Press).