The Quartet

Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789

De: Joseph J. Ellis

Narrado por: Robertson Dean

From Pulitzer Prize-winning American historian Joseph J. Ellis, the unexpected story of why the thirteen colonies, having just fought off the imposition of a distant centralized governing power, would decide to subordinate themselves anew.

We all know the famous opening phrase of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this Continent a new Nation.” The truth is different. In 1776, thirteen American colonies declared themselves independent states that only temporarily joined forces in order to defeat the British. Once victorious, they planned to go their separate ways. The triumph of the American Revolution was neither an ideological nor a political guarantee that the colonies would relinquish their independence and accept the creation of a federal government with power over their autonomy as states. The Quartet is the story of this second American founding and of the men most responsible—George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. These men, with the help of Robert Morris and Gouverneur Morris, shaped the contours of American history by diagnosing the systemic dysfunctions created by the Articles of Confederation, manipulating the political process to force the calling of the Constitutional Convention, conspiring to set the agenda in Philadelphia, orchestrating the debate in the state ratifying conventions, and, finally, drafting the Bill of Rights to assure state compliance with the constitutional settlement.

Ellis has given us a gripping and dramatic portrait of one of the most crucial and misconstrued periods in American history: the years between the end of the Revolution and the formation of the federal government. The Quartet unmasks a myth, and in its place presents an even more compelling truth—one that lies at the heart of understanding the creation of the United States of America.

©2015 Joseph J. Ellis (P)2015 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The dissenters—George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison—faced no less a task than redefining the meaning of the War for Independence in what amounted to a Second American Revolution. How they did so is the burden of the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis' The Quartet, an engaging reconsideration of the arduous path to the Constitution.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“Customary, graceful prose. His portraits [show] his sure touch—highlighting Washington’s dignity, Hamilton’s energy, Madison’s learning and Jay’s diplomacy.” (New York Times Book Review)

“The author is a sure-handed and entertaining guide through the thickets of argument, personality and ideology out of which the American nation emerged." (The Economist)

An Introductory Look, Good Appendices

The book covers the basics, piquing your interest (where you would pursue further books such as more in-depth individual biographies). The appendices have the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, which are always worth listening to.

Excellent

Mr Ellis brings clarity to the monumental machinations of our founders in creating our Constitution.

best book in years

an incredible book about a part of American history most people don't even know happened. Very well written and performed.

Original Intent

This book is especially helpful for people like me attempting rely on High School US American History to navigate complicated political discussions including the Philosophy of supreme court using "original intent" as the basis for decisions regarding the constitution It was fascinating and illuminating to learn of the diversity of original intent in these first-generation leaders of our country. Thomas Jefferson thought the Constitution should be updated every 20 years in order to accommodate the changing needs and context of the population. Madison didn't even think that there needed to be a bill of rights as it wasn't enforceable. He didn't imagine that the Supreme Court would have the role of enforcing those rights. It is very interesting to hear how they managed the politics regarding these very important decisions. I think every American should read this book. It's very accessible!

Fascinating story

Excellent story, highlighting the thoughts and actions of these remarkable men. Very well written and aerated it is a fascinating story for anyone at all interested in early American history

Yet another great American history book

aerator is very good easy to follow. a lot of facts I wasn't aware of. looking forward to reading The Federalist papers now.

character and motivation of each subject

the interplay of the subjects with each other was the best part. of the book

A Compelling Reminder

George Washington, aghast at the failure of Congress to properly feed and fund his ill-equipped army during the fight with the British, lamented, “We have become a many headed monster, a heterogeneous mass that never will nor can steer to the same point.” Loosely affiliated under the Articles of Confederation, the 13 states each pursued their own agendas.

Pulitzer winning historian Joseph J. Ellis tells the story how this heterogeneous mass was made to steer to the same point. Ellis reveals how four men George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison conceived and promoted a new political framework built on the Constitution. Ellis shows how during the years 1783 to 1789 these four men called for the constitutional convention, set the agenda, orchestrated the debates and drafted the Bill of Rights.

Some historians have viewed the Constitution as a betrayal of the American Revolution. Ellis, however, reminds us that democracy was viewed skeptically in the 18th century; he prefers to see the effects of the quartet as “a quite brilliant rescue” of revolutionary principles.

The book is well written and researched. Ellis has a way of taking a lot of information and turning it into easy readable prose. This is a book to keep in your reference library. Robertson Dean narrated the book.

Great history, Quick read

Want to mention at the top that this actual book is shorter than the full time mentioned, as it includes the two appendices, which are actually a reading of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Very nice that they were included in the audio, though.

I feel this book was intensely interesting, and perfectly edited to a quick yet comprehensive subject matter. Highly recommend.

I can't get enough of Revolutionary War

This gave me additional insight to these four important men that I hadn't had even reading the Washington, Hamilton biographies. I just love this era and these ideals. This is well done.