The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates

By: Ralph Ketcham - editor, Ralph Ketcham - introduction

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The complete texts of the documents that tell the story of the clashes and compromises that gave birth to the Unites States of America.

Should the members of the government be elected by direct vote of the people?

Should the government be headed by a single executive, and how powerful should that executive be? Should immigrants be allowed into the United States?

How should judges be appointed?

What human rights should be safe from government infringement?

In 1787, these important questions and others were raised by such statesmen as Patrick Henry and John DeWitt as the states debated the merits of the proposed Constitution. Along with The Federalist Papers, this invaluable book documents the political context in which the Constitution was born.

©1986 Ralph Ketcham (P)2019 Tantor

After Reading The Federalist Papers

Great compare and contrast. However it is explanatory in nature. Quotes and decipher but understandable.

A must read

Book 42 of 2024

A well-done counter to the Federalist Papers, offering a justly critical perspective on the (at the time) proposed Constitution of the United States, and the dangers of Federalism (which we see the results of today). These writings pose strong questions about the balance of power between the federal government and the states, the potential for a centralized authority becoming tyrannical, and the need for robust individual liberties to counter the tyrannical possibility. The ideas the Anti-Federalist Papers serve are a vital historical document, provoking thoughtful reflection on the complexities of governance, the constant need for public oversight, and the tension between liberty and security.

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” - Benjamin Franklin

5/5
Did the book meet what it was advertised as? Yes.
Did the author convey their message well? Yes.
Did the book hold my interest? Yes.
Would I recommend this? Yes.
Would I read it again? In time, yes.

Good but not quite what I was looking for.

When I listed to a book about the Federalist papers, it had all 80+ in the book and I was able to listen to all of them. I was expecting the same to be true with the this book. Although I did learn much about them and some of were included in this book, access to all of them in the same book, even though there were several different writers in very different locations would have been preferred. Being able to listen to all of the Federalist papers allowed me to formulate an opinion of the whole work and not just selected parts. I would like to do the same with the Anti-federalist papers as well.

Insightful

A must read for anyone wanting to understand the history behind the Constitution of the USA.

don't buy this

this title is deceptive. there are 85 anti federalist papers. the majority of this book is made of speeches that have little to do with those papers. false advertising. pure and simple