To begin with, I wish all to understand that the title to this Review is in itself controversial. The "Finest Source" of "Genuinely AMERICAN Political Thought Available" will be well received by some, and roundly condemned by others. I intended it that way.You see, what the study of the writings by men such as those chosen for inclusion in this volume shows, is that even prior to the inauguration of the current Constitutional order, there were profound, radical and ultimately irreconciliable differences amongst and between the polyglot people who readily and ardently considered themselves to be "American" - just exactly as is happening today.
The writings of the "Anti-Federalists" show that there were fundamental differences over fundamental issues such as "judicial review"; the threats posed by an unelected, appointed-for-life (and thus largely unaccountable and uncontrollable) FEDERAL judiciary; the scope and extension of federal power; the powers and "rights" of the several States; the meaning, scope and extent of truly REPUBLICAN government - whether vast and/or national in scope as advocated by those (deliberately misleadingly) named "Federalists", or local, community-based with primacy given to the States, as advocated by those (not-deliberately but also misleadingly) named "Anti-Federalists"; the threat posed by the Constitution of the possiblity of an all-powerful, all-dominating CENTRAL government, and whether or not this would be either good or desirable for a "free people"; the threat posed by an all-powerful Commander-in-Chief, especially when combined with a standing army and navy; the presence and effects of slavery in and amongst a "free people"; along with many other issues that we are STILL arguing about and fighting over to this very day.
Now as to why I gave this otherwise excellent book only 4 stars. First, let me count its strengths:
- It IS the finest source of Anti-Federalist thought (and thus AMERICAN political thought, IF one takes the position with regard to the Federalist/Anti-Federalist debate that I do) READILY available today. The Editors of this volume make reference to the then-comprehensive compilation of Anti-Federalist thought, Herbert Storing's "The Complete Anti-Federalist", which ran to 7 volumes. Originally published by the University of Chicago in 1981, it is now out-of-print, and neither easy to find as the set, nor inexpensive if you can find the set. Furthermore, this much shorter, readily available edition of the Anti-Federalist papers INCLUDES ITEMS STORING DID NOT - either because they were not yet found (as in the case of the last essay by A [Maryland] Farmer) or because Storing LEFT THEM OUT (as in the case of portions of some of Patrick Henry's speeches - here included).
- This next "strength" I cannot emphasize enough: Although subtitled as a volume of "Selected Writings and Speeches", neither the publisher nor Amazon tell you that the writings and/or speeches of the authors chosen for "selection" are presented IN THEIR ENTIRETY - you DON'T get just "selections" of the writings of Cato, or of Centinel, or of Brutus, or just "selections" of the speeches of Patrick Henry with regard to the Anti-Federalist/Federalist debate over the Constitution, you get ALL OF THEM. Thus, you are able to follow and develop ALL of the thinking of each writer with respect to the vitally important issues discussed. In reality, it is more of an abridgement of the ENTIRE CORPUS of Anti-Federalist thought, than a "selection."
Now, as to weaknesses - This otherwise truly excellent volume has, in my opinion, two shortcomings:
--It does not have an Index, neither with regard to topics/subjects or people/authors discussed. It DOES have, however, a brief synopsis of the principal topics/issues to be discussed at the head of each writing/speech included, and this is a great help;
--Secondly and lastly, it does not have a distribution table, that connects the issues discussed in each paper/speech with its correspondent in the Federalist papers (i.e. "the other side" in the relevant debate).
Neither of the two "shortcomings" given should, in my opinion, hinder you in any way in acquiring this book. In addition to being a genuine and very valuable contribution to the works available on the fundamentals of American political thought, I am quite sincere when I tell you that it is a literal work of art in itself. The titles in this series are not only beautifully bound and printed, the dust-jackets are superb reproductions in miniature of actual works of art that are relevant to the subject of each particular volume; You can quite easily use these volumes as very attractive "coffee table books", that invariably lead to long and interesting conversations with virtually any guest.
In sum, this volume is an invaluable work for those who wish to understand the fundamentals of American political thought and philosophy, and also the "taproot" of many of the seemingly irreconciliable issues that confront us today. It is thus much more important than just as a piece in the history of the development of American political thought. I highly recommend it to ALL Americans who wish to understand more fully and completely what America is "all about."
