The Essential Antifederalist, Second Edition

At the pivotal moment in the history of the United States of America, ratification of the Constitution was championed by James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton in a series of newspaper articles known as the Federalist Papers. In answer to these arguments and as a way of pointing up flaws and weaknesses in the Constitution itself, a number of political thinkers (who mostly used pseudonyms) argued against ratification through articles and speeches which have collectively come to be known as the 'Antifederalist Papers.' This edited collection of readings from Antifederalist thought was first published in 1985. Here presented with a completely revised and updated interpretive essay from the editors and expanded to cover the period of the founding from 1776-91, this book is the most complete one-volume collection of its kind.
This edited collection of readings from Antifederalist thought was first published in 1985. Here presented with a completely revised and updated interpretive essay from the editors and expanded to cover the period of the founding from 1776-91, this book is the most complete one-volume collection of its kind.
[This] book is a real service to our profession. The readings [the editors] have selected are very useful ones.--John Koritansky, Hiram College
The Revised Edition of The Essential Antifederalist continues the original, important contribution to the history and thought of the founding, now with an importantly expanded interpretive essay comprehensively reviewing recent scholarship, very helpful apparatus, such as an index, and readier identification of individual entries. This is a MUST for teaching the founding.--Colleen Sheehan, Villanova University
This work is solid with all of the major essays by Antifederalist . . . an excellent selection because it can be readily digested by the general public. They will understand who the antifeds were and what they wrote.--Independence National Historical Park