Hackett Publishing Company

THOMAS JEFFERSON
The Essential Jefferson

Edited, with Introduction, by Jean Yarbrough

In substantial selections from his earliest writings, the Notes on Virginia, his public papers, and his personal correspondence, this volume traces the development of Jefferson's thinking on such fundamental issues as republicanism, constitutionalism, political parties, and the separation of religion from politics. His proposals for the education of women, the emancipation of slaves, and the expatriation of Native Americans are included, along with a number of intimate letters illustrating the range of Jefferson's interests and offering a peek into his private life.

Drawing on the best Jeffersonian scholarship of the last thirty years, Yarbrough's Introduction sets Jefferson's life and writing in context and illuminates the ways in which his understanding of human nature influenced his political views. A brief headnote introduces each selection and provides crucial background information; footnotes offer concise biographies of Jefferson's correspondents and identify other important figures and events. An index and select bibliography are also included.

“Historians and political scientists alike will welcome publication of Jean Yarbrough's excellent new documentary edition. Yarbrough's fine Introduction combines a good brief account of Jefferson's life and career with an astute and persuasive overview of Jefferson's political theory.”
-Peter S. Onuf, Corcoran Department of History, University of Virginia

Jean Yarbrough is Professor of Government, Bowdoin College.

Sept. 2005 ca. 288 pp.
Cloth:$37.95 (0-87220-748-X)
Paper:$12.95 (0-87220-747-1)
Examination Price: $3.00
JOHN ADAMS
The Political Writings of John Adams

Edited, with Introduction, by George A. Peek, Jr.

“The fundamental article of my political creed," declared John Adams, "is that despotism, or unlimited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same in a majority of a popular assembly, an aristocratical council, an oligarchical junto, and a single emperor. Equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody, and in every respect diabolical." The consequences of this article for Adams’ thought are nowhere better articulated than in this anthology, which presents his remarkable attempts at constructing a complete political system based on constitutional, balanced, representative government.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Note on the Text.
Introduction.
Chronology.
Selected Bibliography.
THE POLITICAL WRITINGS OF JOHN ADAMS:
A. Pre-Revolutionary Writings:
I. A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law.
II. Instructions of the Town of Braintree to Their Representative.
III. Novanglus and Massachusettensis.
B. The Political System:
I. The Plan:
-Thoughts on Government.
II. The Model:
-The Constitution of Massachusetts of 1780.
III. The Defense:
1. A Defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America.
2. Three Letters to Roger Sherman on the Constitution of the United States.
3. Discourses on Davila.
4. Letters to John Taylor.
Appendix Notes.
Biographical Index.

George A. Peek, Jr. was Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Michigan.

Sept. 2003  256 pp.
Cloth:$45.00 (0-87220-700-5)
Paper:$16.95 (0-87220-699-8)
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES MADISON, & JOHN JAY
The Federalist Papers

Edited, with Notes and Introduction, by J. R. Pole

By identifying all the historical references and literary allusions by which the Founders sought to amplify their arguments and convince their readers—and by clarifying those important concepts (such as sovereignty, contract, separation of powers) which influenced the thinking of both the Founders and their opponents—renowned historian J. R. Pole here sets the Federalist Papers in the intellectual world inhabited by Hamilton, Madison and Jay. In reading Pole’s annotation alongside the main text, students and scholars alike will gain a deeper understanding of the papers—and of the time, needs, and circumstances that shaped them.

Pole’s Introduction, a thematic index, a chronology of politically significant events from 1688 to 1791, and the inclusion of The Articles of Confederation and the U. S. Constitution further distinguish an edition priced for classroom use.

"This edition will surely replace existing editions. The quality, accuracy and thoroughness of the annotation is quite impressive. Many notes are nice little essays in themselves. This edition will make a significant contribution to the scholarship on The Federalist. I always thought it a splendid idea and the execution shows off Professor Pole’s erudition with subtlety and grace."
—Joyce Appleby, UCLA

J. R. Pole was formerly Rhodes Professor of American History at the University of Oxford and is an Emeritus Fellow of St. Catherine's College, Oxford.

Sept. 2004  672 pp.
Cloth:$29.95 (0-87220-712-9)
Paper:$9.95 (0-87220-711-0)
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES MADISON, JOHN JAY, et al.
The Essential Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers

Edited, with Introduction and Notes, by David Wootton

Here, in a single volume, is a selection of the classic critiques of the new Constitution penned by such ardent defenders of states’ rights and personal liberty as George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Melancton Smith; pro-Constitution writings by James Wilson and Noah Webster; and thirty-three of the best-known and most crucial Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The texts of the chief constitutional documents of the early Republic are included as well.

David Wootton’s illuminating Introduction examines the history of such “American” principles of government as checks and balances, the separation of powers, representation by election, and judicial independence—including their roots in the largely Scottish, English, and French “new science of politics.” It also offers suggestions for reading The Federalist, the classic elaboration of these principles written in defense of a new Constitution that sought to apply them to the young Republic.

“An excellent edition of the key writings surrounding the adoption of the American Constitution. The learned Introduction brings to life the key intellectual debates at the heart of modern constitutionalism as well as those concerning the American Constitution. A fine critical edition.”
—Frederick Rosen, University College London

“This is an excellent collection that fills a need—of all the document collections on the founding era, there is no one-volume collection with both Federalist and Anti-Federalist opinions—and none so affordably priced! I look forward to adopting this book in my general U.S. history and advanced U.S. legal history courses.”
—Christopher Capozzola, History Department, MIT

Sept. 2003  392 pp.
Cloth:$24.95 (0-87220-656-4)
Paper:$7.95 (0-87220-655-6)
January 12, 2005