Product Description: The elegant prose of America’s Revolutionary generation is found in this series of chapbook biographies by US Constitution historian John P. Kaminski, who adds dimension to the historic dramas of revolution and nation-making. Unlike traditional biographies, these chapbooks emphasize the character, mannerisms, and physical appearance of the subjects as they were known to their contemporaries...read more

Product Description: The elegant prose of America’s Revolutionary generation is found in this series of chapbook biographies by US Constitution historian John P. Kaminski, who adds dimension to the historic dramas of revolution and nation-making. Unlike traditional biographies, these chapbooks emphasize the character, mannerisms, and physical appearance of the subjects as they were known to their contemporaries...read more

Product Description: The elegant prose of America’s Revolutionary generation is found in this series of chapbook biographies by US Constitution historian John P. Kaminski, who adds dimension to the historic dramas of revolution and nation-making. Unlike traditional biographies, these chapbooks emphasize the character, mannerisms, and physical appearance of the subjects as they were known to their contemporaries...read more

Product Description: The elegant prose of America’s Revolutionary generation is found in this series of chapbook biographies by US Constitution historian John P. Kaminski, who adds dimension to the historic dramas of revolution and nation-making. Unlike traditional biographies, these chapbooks emphasize the character, mannerisms, and physical appearance of the subjects as they were known to their contemporaries...read more

Product Description: This is the first of two volumes documenting Maryland’s public and private debates about the Constitution. This documentary series is a research tool of remarkable power, an unrivaled reference work for historical and legal scholars, librarians, and students of the Constitution...read more

Product Description: As the largest, oldest, and wealthiest of the original thirteen colonies, Virginia played a central role in the fight for independence and as a state in the new republic. This importance is reflected in the number of Virginians who filled key national leadership positions...read more

A Great and Good Man presents a lively collection of contemporary letters, poems, addresses, and newspaper reports that demonstrate the remarkable esteem in which Washington was held. Washington would become, after his death, a true symbol of the American republic. This selection of materials, many reprinted for the first time since the eighteenth century, shows that in his life Washington had already become the Father of his country and was acclaimed for his sense of honor, his heroism, and his wisdom.Dating from his farewell orders to the Continental Army in 1783 to his retirement from the executive office of the United States of America, the selections in this book illuminate the role that Washington played in the public imagination. His willing relinquishment of military authority in 1783 shocked the world, and set him on a path toward greater political glory as he presided over the Constitutional Convention and then became the first President of the country. Here we see Washington as he stood before and was addressed by the nation―praised by politicians, advised by foreigners, and lionized by citizens. In Washington's own letters and addresses we also glimpse the canny side of Washington, a man who was careful with his public image and was a shrewd gamesman in the political arena. By the time he took presidential office in 1789 few questioned his political acumen and national leaders were dependent on his leadership.The editors of A Great and Good Man have set the context for their carefully selected documents with insightful introductions; and their thorough index greatly enhances the accessibility of the material presented.

A definitive compilation of Jeffersonian writings, quotations, and other words of wisdom furnishes hundreds of pronouncements on nearly five hundred different subjects, all organized alphabetically by topic, accompanied by Jefferson's reflections on his contemporaries, his own life, and career, as well as the thoughts of his colleagues on him.

Product Description: Few Americans have had the profound impact on our nation as did Jefferson, and even fewer left such a wealth of sage advice. Jefferson, a talented statesman, architect, musician, and inventor, was also gifted with a pen and the elegant turn of phrase...read more

(view table of contents)