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31st out of 568 books
—
750 voters
The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates
The dissenting opinions of Patrick Henry and others who saw the Constitution as a threat to our hard-won rights and liberties.
Edited and introduced by Ralph Ketcham.
Edited and introduced by Ralph Ketcham.
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
May 6th 2003
by Signet Classics
(first published October 7th 1986)
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I picked up the Federalist Papers with a thirst for the wisdom of men who understood freedom. Even though I accidently ordered two editions of the book the vast volume of the wisdom I was going to partake made this seem almost trifle.
As I began to read, I began to realize that there was no wisdom in what I was reading, that it was old propaganda written by an evil man. The descriptions of the Federalist Papers contained in the beginning and their history is all you will need for once you start r...more
As I began to read, I began to realize that there was no wisdom in what I was reading, that it was old propaganda written by an evil man. The descriptions of the Federalist Papers contained in the beginning and their history is all you will need for once you start r...more
Okay, being a collection of primary source documents it seems a bit silly to rate them. But I found them to be precious, informative and stimulating. This edition especially gave some keen insights into the process by which our country was created, the players, their thoughts. The things I have always taken for granted about our government and the way it runs. So many statements I agreed with, so many persons that seemed interesting. I don't know that this would be fun reading for all, but if yo...more
I have nothing interesting to say. I know very little about the Anti-Federalists, other than the pro-"small government" idea, since according to the blurb, "Although the Anti-Federalists lost, they came close to winning..."
They say the winners write the history books...
*EDIT*
Another 1776 moment...Edward Rutledge saying that slavery has to do with interest, not religion, and that South Carolinans and Georgians are not such fools as to abolish slavery...
Eerily close to the musical...guess the prod...more
They say the winners write the history books...
*EDIT*
Another 1776 moment...Edward Rutledge saying that slavery has to do with interest, not religion, and that South Carolinans and Georgians are not such fools as to abolish slavery...
Eerily close to the musical...guess the prod...more
The Anti-Federalist Papers were written less in response to the Federalist arguments than I had anticipated. The true discussion was between the Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitution itself. The Anti-Federalist Papers were not less enjoyable a read for all that; in fact, they were impassioned, with moments of stunningly powerful rhetoric. Their downfall lay more in the repetition of or contradiction between the different arguments, the natural result of their not having been designed to be...more
I really enjoyed reading the Anti-Federalist Papers. Before reading the book, I had thought of those who didn’t sign the Constitution at the Convention as …not bright enough to get it. Great men, but just a little short compared to those that signed. Now having read the arguments against, I realized that these men were patriots and statesmen who contributed much by their voice of caution and their criticisms. This resistance I feel helped improve the dialogue, discussions, and ultimately the con...more
After you read the federalist papers it is so mind blowing to read the counter arguments. Both are such a study in government and propaganda. Again, I would recommend reading these essays over any american history text book to anyone that wants to really understand our government. They are facinating.
I loved seeing the opposing views of the makers of our Constitution, especially the views expressed by the unknown Federal Farmer. He drew out some really good points about the House of Representatives not being adequately represented, among other things.
It was good to read this to get the perspective of those who believed in something that didn't come to be the reality of what America is. However, when read with the Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist Papers really couldn't hold a candle to them.
A wonderful, classic rebuttal to the argument that the United States needed a Constitution. It was through the works of these arguments that the Bill of Rights was passed.
Interesting read...shows that the so-called "Libertarian" viewpoint was actually a prominent minority one at the time of the founding.
Sep 23, 2010
Craig J.
added it
The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates (Signet Classics) by Ralph Ketcham (2003)
Kind of tough to read, but if you want to know what went wrong with the country, it's that these guys were right.
Nice collection of Anti-Federalist papers. Extremely useful to have the other side of the story. Not definitive, but the book to start with for the side of the story of our founding that has received much less attention.
The most fascinating part of this book is the Constitutional Convention debates, via Madison's daily journal. The day-to-day accounts of the major events in the construction of the U.S. government remind you that the people who organized the American government were really just a bunch of guys in a room who'd been allowed the unusual privilege to organize their ideal political system. The only question was what did that look like and how would it actually work? Really strips away the facade of h...more
Same as The Federalist Papers.
Must read for EVERY American.
This book will knock your socks off. Read Patrick Henry's speech - he hit the nail on the head. Others were equally far sighted in their criticisms. It's amazing to read how the Articles of Confederation were tossed out w/o authority, and the Revolution was effectively hijacked by a bunch of state-appointed delegates to the Convention in 1787. Gosh. I wonder why this wasn't taught in any schools I went to...
I would argue that the anti-Federalists' papers are more important than those of the Federalists. I predicate this on the belief that greater comprehension of the status quo comes through studying that which dissents from it.
Believe that or not, either way if you had a teacher who forced you to read the Federalist papers and not the anti-Federalist papers, he was most assuredly a fascist.
Believe that or not, either way if you had a teacher who forced you to read the Federalist papers and not the anti-Federalist papers, he was most assuredly a fascist.
This would make a decent book for a class, but otherwise you are better off just finding the complete anti-federalist works and Madison's notes on the Constitutional Convention online. Both are definitely worth reading.
A must-read for anyone curious about America, or the origins of the system of government in which we find ourselves. In particular, it's good to note the predictions made of some of the Anti-Federalists, and how, sadly, they were exactly right about the nature of this government.
Dec 30, 2011
Alex Schwerdt
marked it as to-read
Sort of. I bought it a LONG time ago, read a few pages and haven't finished yet. It's on my list. Someday I will finish, and I want to read The Federalist Papers at the same time, or afterwards. Either way.
I enjoy this even more than the federalist papers, really interesting to anyone who cares about politics or the nature of political thought in this country. This is where it all started.
well written on the whole, but the best part is being able to see what the anti federalists predicted so long ago. we became exactly what they didn't want, an empire.
essential to understanding how the american experiment works. these arguments are still playing out today. should be mandatory.
I may disagree with the points made, but essential documents to my understanding of America.
Excellent opposing viewpoints to centralisied gov't.
I had to read this book for a class in college.
Is it bad to enjoy these more than the Federalist Papers? These arguments came to pass as the government DID overstretch and usurp power from the rest. these guys were right.
May 21, 2013
Bragyova, Andras
marked it as to-read
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Sep 02, 2012 09:18am
Dec 03, 2012 08:51pm