The Federalist Papers Audiobook, by Alexander Hamilton Play Audiobook Sample

The Federalist Papers Audiobook

The Federalist Papers Audiobook, by Alexander Hamilton Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Arthur Morey Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 13.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781452670201

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

86

Longest Chapter Length:

35:08 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

47 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

13:51 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

7

Other Audiobooks Written by Alexander Hamilton: > View All...

Publisher Description

Originally published anonymously, The Federalist Papers first appeared in 1787 as a series of letters to New York newspapers exhorting voters to ratify the proposed Constitution of the United States. Still hotly debated and open to often controversial interpretations, the arguments first presented here by three of America's greatest patriots and political theorists were created during a critical moment in our nation's history, providing readers with a running ideological commentary on the crucial issues facing a democracy. Today, The Federalist Papers are as important and vital a rallying cry for freedom as ever.

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"I started reading this to learn what the founders of our nation intended when they put together the Constitution. It took me a long time to work through it. The Federalist papers are not an easy read! However, glad to have completed the task. Some of the things I've learned: our present federal government is too big. Most of the power was to reside in the states, closer to the people. The Presidency is too big, through a bloated executive branch. The military is too big; needing to be just big enough to protect us from foreign encroachments. One faction (political party) having dominance of the Legislature and the Executive is dangerous. Dangerous laws (dangerous to the rights of the people) are too easily rushed through when there is no competent opposition. It was intended the Legislature would be gridlocked with the Executive, requiring discussion, debate, and consensus building. Long detailed debates gets all the various sides of an issues exposed, and the will of the people can be learned and known. The men who built our Constitution were truly men of vision, and geniuses. It is a miraculous document. It must be protected and cherished!"

— Gary (4 out of 5 stars)

The Federalist Papers Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.02816901408451 out of 54.02816901408451 out of 54.02816901408451 out of 54.02816901408451 out of 54.02816901408451 out of 5 (4.03)
5 Stars: 28
4 Stars: 25
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Truly these essays are must-reads if we want to perpetuate the freedom that our Founding Fathers envisioned. "

    — Jenny, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I tried to read through this slowly, and give it the due attention that I felt it deserved. I can see vividly from the words how our government was to be set up and what challenges, and advantages the writers of the Federalist papers wished to propose to the people. It was clearly layed out in sections based on branch and subject matter. As a reading material it was dry and boring, as a historical document it was interesting and of course important in understand the foundations of America. "

    — Cassandra, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Must read for every American Citizen "

    — Jen, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The "Federalist Papers," originally a series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, selling the Constitution to the citizens (and their electors) in the state of NY, is a reasoned discussion of the various aspects of the Constitution and a rebuttal of possible (and actual) objections raised to it. Doing a quick read of the work (well, a month's time) doesn't do the work justice, for it is a work of amazing breadth. The work is not an easy work, but reads rather like an 18th c. lawyer's brief -- very well written, but also quite dense. Still, it serves as the best discussion and defense of the US Constitution. So I give it a 5 when it comes to importance and the quality of the writing, but only 4 when it comes to the experience of actually reading it. "

    — Bernard, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Everyone should read this books. A brilliant study of politics in all its forms. "

    — Pete, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " If you have ever wondered for even a moment how this nation got here. This is a quick read and a susinct explanation. "

    — Patrick, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I've been very surprised in the absence of biblical reference. I've read a number of the papers and they are all rational and pragmatic, but by what source? "

    — Rkeddins, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I think the thing that struck me most was the emphasis on things we no longer do (tariffs) and the total lack of mention of things we think are a big deal (immigration). "

    — Randy, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Hard reading - but SO telling "

    — MET, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent. Interesting to hear the differing perspectives of what kind of government the founding fathers were looking at forming. "

    — Kyle, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you ever wonder if our founding fathers knew what they were doing the book answers that question. Sheer brilliance. You will end up knowing far more about our constitution then they ever taught in school. "

    — Rob, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Praise God I'm an American. One should not be able to graduate public high schools without mastery of Basic Economics & The Federalist Papers. "

    — Ally, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVE THESE. I have no idea why. But I do. Well, I suppose I am of the opinion that Alexander Hamilton was a genius. Seriously. I love that man. But anyway, I majorly enjoyed reading these. "

    — Annabelle, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The quintessential primary source reading for anyone interested in comprehending the formation of the American government and, especially (obviously) its federal structure. Man, these guys were smart. "

    — trivialchemy, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " If you have ever wondered for even a moment how this nation got here. This is a quick read and a susinct explanation. "

    — Patrick, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's funny. I think even Hamilton might be distressed at the amount of power the executive branch has. I also think that with the practical demise of the electoral college they would fear the unintended populist power which goes unchecked. I would love to hear them weigh in on campaign contributions but that problem didn't seem to be on their horizon. "

    — Dianna, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " SJCA - Politics and Society "

    — Alex, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Early political op/eds on the Constitution. "

    — John, 11/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An important collection of historical writings. "

    — Ben, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Okay, this isn't for anybody but the serious reader of American history and politics. "

    — David, 9/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Even when he's wrong, Hamilton's adorable. "

    — Ishpeck, 9/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Indispensable. A must-read. "

    — Conrad, 8/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Cool stuff. This is one of the must read books in the world and I'm finally doing it! "

    — Baden, 7/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An important collection of papers, published during the Constitutional debate in the late 1980s to try to persuade people to support adoption of the document. It presents important insights into the authors' thinking about this foundational document. "

    — Steven, 5/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Anyone at all interesting in our nation, its founding, and our history needs to read these. Even today they will give you chills and make you apprecviate the genius of our founders anew. "

    — Michael, 5/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " There's no better way to understand the intentions of America's Founding Fathers than to read them from the writings of the Founding Fathers themselves. An absolute must read for ALL Americans to understand the role of our Federal and State governments as well as what we stand for as a Union. "

    — Derek, 5/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Hard reading - but SO telling "

    — MET, 5/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Props for your Constitution, even if it did sort of fail a hundred years later. Wordy and dry, but packed with important content. "

    — Devin, 4/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " More folks should read this, but distilling millions of words into a 10 second sound bite is what most will remember. "

    — Allen, 12/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " this was hard for me to understand. "

    — Jennifer, 11/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is foundational for an understanding of U.S. political science. I didn't give it five stars because it is not light reading. "

    — Clint, 10/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand American history. Get it strait from the horse's mouth. "

    — Ki, 8/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is a foundation on which America was built, but it's very boring. It's good to read but if i didn't have to read it for school I probably would never have picked it up. "

    — Heather, 8/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Every American should read these, but they're tough to get through. It's astonishing that such elevated, rational essays were originally published in newspapers. "

    — Skittle, 7/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " i love the juicy little excerpts they make you read in history classes. not so sure i'd love to read all of them in one go, though. "

    — Kate, 6/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Makes you think about the number of details and struggles that were required to develop the United States of America and the Constitution. "

    — LauraLee, 5/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm really just getting started on this as it took me a long time to get through the introduction. So far, I am enjoying this and seeing how many of the themes discussed in relation to the Constitution relate to happenings in the US today. "

    — Patrick, 4/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Without reading this book, I would have never fell in love with political science. "

    — Holly, 3/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a great work to read, but I found that it took effort to keep with it and finish it. "

    — Heather, 1/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Every American should read this book! "

    — Josh, 8/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " read at St. John's College "

    — Mischke, 8/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Red some of the book, not all. "

    — Lauren, 8/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I have read this 4 times and it is probably the most boring thing I have ever seen. "

    — Amy, 7/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If only this could appear in today's newspapers... "

    — Rylan, 7/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Essays by the supporting passage of the bill of rights. Gives some surprises as to why these amendments to the Constitution and what their real purposes are. A must read for every American. "

    — Fredrick, 6/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Essays by the supporting passage of the bill of rights. Gives some surprises as to why these amendments to the Constitution and what their real purposes are. A must read for every American. "

    — Fredrick, 6/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Essays by the supporting passage of the bill of rights. Gives some surprises as to why these amendments to the Constitution and what their real purposes are. A must read for every American. "

    — Fredrick, 6/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A MUST read for every American!Go on...get to it! "

    — Bre, 6/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A MUST read for every American!Go on...get to it! "

    — Bre, 6/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A MUST read for every American!Go on...get to it! "

    — Bre, 6/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The Federalists won. I haven't read these in ten years. I think it is time for a revisit. "

    — Laura, 4/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The Federalists won. I haven't read these in ten years. I think it is time for a revisit. "

    — Laura, 4/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The Federalists won. I haven't read these in ten years. I think it is time for a revisit. "

    — Laura, 4/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you ever wonder if our founding fathers knew what they were doing the book answers that question. Sheer brilliance. You will end up knowing far more about our constitution then they ever taught in school. "

    — Rob, 3/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you ever wonder if our founding fathers knew what they were doing the book answers that question. Sheer brilliance. You will end up knowing far more about our constitution then they ever taught in school. "

    — Rob, 3/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you ever wonder if our founding fathers knew what they were doing the book answers that question. Sheer brilliance. You will end up knowing far more about our constitution then they ever taught in school. "

    — Rob, 3/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a great work to read, but I found that it took effort to keep with it and finish it. "

    — Heather, 2/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a great work to read, but I found that it took effort to keep with it and finish it. "

    — Heather, 2/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a great work to read, but I found that it took effort to keep with it and finish it. "

    — Heather, 2/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The perfect book to help you understand our foundational document. "

    — Andrew, 2/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The perfect book to help you understand our foundational document. "

    — Andrew, 2/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The perfect book to help you understand our foundational document. "

    — Andrew, 2/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent way to get into the minds of the American Revolution. The Constitution becomes clear once you step into the eloquent and radical shoes of the framers of the U.S. Constitution and the Revolutionary war. "

    — Christa, 12/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent way to get into the minds of the American Revolution. The Constitution becomes clear once you step into the eloquent and radical shoes of the framers of the U.S. Constitution and the Revolutionary war. "

    — Christa, 12/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent way to get into the minds of the American Revolution. The Constitution becomes clear once you step into the eloquent and radical shoes of the framers of the U.S. Constitution and the Revolutionary war. "

    — Christa, 12/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Said to be required reading- and you haven't read it have you? "

    — Robert, 11/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Said to be required reading- and you haven't read it have you? "

    — Robert, 11/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Said to be required reading- and you haven't read it have you? "

    — Robert, 11/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Props for your Constitution, even if it did sort of fail a hundred years later. Wordy and dry, but packed with important content. "

    — Devin, 10/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Props for your Constitution, even if it did sort of fail a hundred years later. Wordy and dry, but packed with important content. "

    — Devin, 10/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Props for your Constitution, even if it did sort of fail a hundred years later. Wordy and dry, but packed with important content. "

    — Devin, 10/11/2010

About the Authors

Alexander Hamilton (1757–1804) was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America’s first constitutional lawyers, and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. After serving in the Revolutionary War, he was elected to the Continental Congress, ultimately resigning to establish the Bank of New York. Hamilton was a main contributor to the influential Federalist Papers, a collection of essays written by himself, John Jay, and James Madison. He was mortally wounded in a famous duel with presidential candidate Aaron Burr.

James Madison (1751–1836) was the fourth President of the United States and is known as the “father of the Constitution.” He was secretary of state under Jefferson; his main achievement in this role was the purchase of Louisiana from the French. He was elected president in 1809 and again in 1812. During his terms in office he worked to abolish slavery, to disestablish the Church, and to seek peace.

John Jay (1745–1829) was a conservative lawyer who became a leading patriot. He served as minister to Spain, became the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, and negotiated the treaty of 1795 between the United States and Britain. His contributions to The Federalist Papers concern foreign affairs.

About Arthur Morey

Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.