The Debate on the Constitution, complete set, Volumes I and II : Federalist and Antifederalist Speeches, Articles, and Letters During the Struggle Over Ratification

New York, NY: Library of America. Fine with no dust jacket. 2015. Reprint. Hardcover. This 2-volume set covers September 17, 1787, to August 9, 1788: the year of public and private debate after the Constitutional Convention, mostly held in secret before its proposed Constitution was made public. Federalist vs. anti-Federalist opinions ranged from rational, to ranting, to raging in speeches, newspapers, and private letters. Those advocating for the middle ground sought to balance public order with private liberty. Contains original texts by Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Washington, and other lesser-knowns. Includes the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution with Amendments. Editor Bernard Bailyn (1922-2020) was an academic, author, historian of the Colonial and Revolutionary United States, and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history. Contains Bailyn's Notes, Indexes, biographical profiles, chronology, and other supplemental information. Set in Galliard types and printed on acid-free paper. These are subscriber editions, thus Smythe-sewn and uniformly bound in burgundy cloth over boards, with gilt titles to spines. Ribbon markers. Cream colored slipcases, issued only with subscriber editions. No dust jackets, as-issued. As both volumes are shrink wrapped, the printing and the copyright date of this original 1993 work are unknown. At 2,389 pages, this is a comprehensive view of the public and private discussion over the merits of the proposed Constitution. Recommended for anyone wanting to know what the "framer's" goals were and the final compromise for the greatest good for the most people. Both volumes and slipcases are in as-new, Fine condition, still in the publisher's shrink wrap.; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 2,389 pages .