It never ceases to amaze me, how many new twists and angles authors are able to find when examining America's founding generation. In "The Price of Greatness", Jay Cost examines the relationship between Hamilton and Madison (which, I'm sorry to say, has been forever coloured by the Hamilton musical and the rather amusing, slightly dismissive way Madison is treated therein).

What does the Constitution mean? How much reach/power should the federal government have? And how is the new nation going to contest with the will, power and influence of its wealthiest citizens and interests? The book covers the two sides' different interpretations of the new governmental system they were helping to create, and their differing prescriptions for addressing potential dangers.

Interesting, well-written and well-researched. A very good history.

An excellent overview of two men who helped shape the nation. Cost shows how these two very different individuals developed, came together for a short time, then fell apart. Both their collaborations and their antipathy would continue long after both men had passed from the scene. This is an enjoyable book and highly recommended for those who are interested in the history of the Early Republic.

Honestly this is my second best historical book about this time period I have ever read - I would read other works by this author

I received a free eBook arc via NetGalley for my free and true opinion

This book is about the tumultuous relationship between Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. As an Australian I have to be honest, I had no idea who Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were and their importance to American History. Together they helped bring the Constitution into being, yet soon after the new republic was born they broke over the meaning of its founding document. Hamilton emphasized economic growth, Madison the importance of republican principles.

It was a good book and I learnt a lot of about American History.

3.5 stars

Like everyone else, I have been obsessed with revolutionary history since seeing Hamilton. Part of this is also because I am a history nerd. This is a wonderful, in-depth telling of our founding fathers.

<i>I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.</i>

As we endure yet another tempestuous period in American politics (is there ever any other?), it is often useful to remind ourselves where this grand experiment originated - both for purposes of perspective and for re-orientation. Jay Cost, in “The Price of Greatness,” seeks to remind us that our current struggles have ever been with us, and - so long as the great American idea persists - they shall ever continue. For, at the heart of the matter, Cost argues, lies the central tension that pervades all American political society: “the relationship among liberalism, republicanism, and nationalism.”

The book serves a gentle correction to Ron Chernow’s (and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s) well-deserved resuscitation of Alexander Hamilton’s reputation, by pointing out that not all of Hamilton’s successes were unmitigated, and that, running alongside the benefits of his work as Treasury Secretary, the excesses his systems encouraged did indeed bring about the political corruption that his opponents (and friends) like James Madison warned against.

Hamilton sought to harness the interests of the wealthy and powerful, binding them to the general welfare of the country. In so doing, he desired to make the country’s benefit the same as their own. To this end, he handed out appointments, favours, and deals to entice the wealthy to back the government. But “when a state bestows wealth or prestige upon some group, the group can employ those resources to protect and extend its privileges.” And extend and protect themselves those interests did:

<blockquote>Over the course of his tenure at the Treasury Department, [Hamilton] would exhibit a shocking naïveté regarding the greed and small-mindedness of the speculative class...They were not the natural aristocrats he assumed them to be. Many were just crooks who abused his misplaced trust.</blockquote>

Madison, though certainly not perfect in his opinions and ideas, nor without his own naïveté - set himself in opposition. His was the notion that the government the Constitution enabled (and he should know, having crafted the document) was meant to be one of limited action and limited means; that the majority of the interactions the People were to have with governing bodies of any kind were to be localized in the various States. His insight was that whenever the government at large intervened in systems, it would up choosing winners and declaring losers, no matter if its intentions were good. This troubled him greatly: “More than anything else, Madison could not abide the unfairness of Hamilton’s program[s].”

Cost has not crafted a screed against Hamiltonian fervor, nor a hagiography of Madison’s character, but rather a reminder that the other Founders had juxtaposed insights and influence that were just as important as Hamilton’s. Indeed, without that contradiction - Hamilton’s liberal federalism against Madison’s staunch republicanism, set against what they both saw as a deep nationalistic desire to see the country flourish. As Cost concludes:

<blockquote>“We must remain mindful of this and appreciate that policies that advance the national project or the liberal project must also remain consistent with the republican principles that are just as essential to the American creed.”</blockquote>

Thanks to discovering a book or two on Alexander Hamilton I thought I'd give a try to this book, especially as I thought it'd be great to learn a bit more about the beginnings of US. Unfortunately the book was too scholarly and dry which was maybe to be expected, but it bothered me and I couldn't finish it.

This is a useful reference book for students of political philosophy. I didn't finish it because I found it a bit heavy and dull, unfortunately.

I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

The full title is The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy by Jay Cost.

American freedom from Great Britain was accomplished by many. There were many visions of what this country should be. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were key figures in deciding how the ideals of the revolutionaries could be preserved in a lasting government.

Both were key figures in moving the American colonies from the loose and unworkable Articles of Confederation to the much stronger federal system of the United States Constitution. They agreed on the need for a stronger Federal government. They disagreed on some of the specifics of how that government should be run to both be strong enough to survive and preserve the principles of our hard won independence.

I found it an interesting book and very enlightening. Some of the topics were very relevant to some issues being discussed today (for example protective tariffs).

The Price of Greatness explores the origins of much of the American political and economic engines that we still see today, from the starting point of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. These two Founding Fathers quickly became divided over America's identity and path, and Jay Cost argues that both men were, in ways, right- and wrong.

I always like learning about original context in history- political, social, economic, etc. and The Price of Greatness does explain some of America's early economic ideas. Unfortunately, the book was a little too dry and rambling (and repetitive) for me to manage more than about a chapter at a time, which means I probably didn't retain or understand as much information as I would have liked. Particularly by the end, Cost seems to stray from the original point of the book- which I took to be the creation of early American political and economic systems- to wander down a recital of various historical ways the government has not acted 'for the people, by the people'. He begins to talk about corruption- as we understand the term today and as Madison and Hamilton would have used the term- and tries to show the reader how to return to America's founding greatness. But all he really succeeds in showing us, in my opinion, is that human nature and greed will naturally take advantage of any system, and that there will always be conflict.

Ultimately, The Price of Greatness does only a mediocre job in explaining "the Creation of American Oligarchy", but if you can get through the dry and repetitive writing, there are some interesting historical nuggets hidden within the text. I'm not entirely sure, however, I found it worth the effort of working through reading the book.

This admirably concise book reviews the political histories of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, contrasting them with each other and setting them in the context of their times. In these days of political turmoil, it is tempting to draw parallels and to try to take lessons from the founders. I can only imagine T. Jeff. or Alex. H. raising an eyebrow at the antics of our current politicians.

My study of history did not provide a compare and contrast of Madison and Hamilton. Mr. Cost provides an excellent comparison of the political philosophy of Madison and Hamilton. He also teaches a beautiful truth for all statesmen through Hamilton. Though one may believe they know a person or people, they are not necessarily dependable when placed in a situation of personal gain versus national interest. Mr. Cost also points out the change that happened in our founders as time past. Madison accepted Hamilton's views as Madison took on other responsibilities.

This book was a pleasure to read and filled in my understanding of 18th century America. The only negative that I can type of this book is a statement of my vocabulary. I found the Kindel's dictionary very useful. Mr. Cost used words that I was unfamiliar. My assessment of my own vocabulary was adjusted.

This book is a great reminder of how close Madison and Hamilton were in thought about our country and how they diverged. A good intro to some big personalities.

The beginners of the USA with all its debates about freedom and happiness was beset with serious problems about how to build an economic order that would meet the needs of this new country. The Madison Hamilton divide is seen in context of a nation that drastically needed to know where it stood on issues of banking, debt, democracy, and trade. This book by Jay Cost with marvelous ease leads the reader through the period and the debates and shows in a clear path how the early structure was created and why. It does not explain everything and its focus is quite narrow, but it is essential reading if you wish to get to the bottom of American history.

Interesting book. It contains the references to unprecedented facts and anecdotes.

The relationship between Alexander Hamilton and James Madison has long been studied and written about, but this book included information I hadn’t heard before.