Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution's Excellence in American History Book Award Winner of the Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize "Cogent, lucid, and concise...An indispensable guide to the creation of the cabinet...Groundbreaking...we can now have a much greater appreciation of this essential American institution, one of the major legacies of George Washington's enlightened statecraft." -Ron Chernow On November 26, 1791, George Washington convened his department secretaries-Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, ...
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Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution's Excellence in American History Book Award Winner of the Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize "Cogent, lucid, and concise...An indispensable guide to the creation of the cabinet...Groundbreaking...we can now have a much greater appreciation of this essential American institution, one of the major legacies of George Washington's enlightened statecraft." -Ron Chernow On November 26, 1791, George Washington convened his department secretaries-Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph-for the first cabinet meeting. Why did he wait two and a half years into his presidency to call his cabinet? Because the US Constitution did not create or provide for such a body. Faced with diplomatic crises, domestic insurrection, and constitutional challenges-and finding congressional help distinctly lacking-he decided he needed a group of advisors he could turn to for guidance. Authoritative and compulsively readable, The Cabinet reveals the far-reaching consequences of this decision. To Washington's dismay, the tensions between Hamilton and Jefferson sharpened partisan divides, contributing to the development of the first party system. As he faced an increasingly recalcitrant Congress, he came to treat the cabinet as a private advisory body, greatly expanding the role of the executive branch and indelibly transforming the presidency. "Important and illuminating...an original angle of vision on the foundations and development of something we all take for granted." -Jon Meacham "Fantastic...A compelling story." -New Criterion "Helps us understand pivotal moments in the 1790s and the creation of an independent, effective executive." -Wall Street Journal
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 432 p. Contains: Maps. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 432 p. Contains: Maps. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Washington's greatest impact on American presidenc
This deep dive into a very specific aspect of the first presidency at first glance may seem unnecessarily wonkish. It is not. Chervinsky expertly illustrates what the origins of the cabinet are, both from the British cabinet and Washington's Revolutionary War Councils and how the American cabinet was a creation that was in fact unlikely. More importantly, Washington understood that by creating a Cabinet he was setting a precedent for future Presidents. Indeed, several key concepts of American foreign and domestic policy where established not by the Constitution or by Congress, but by the extraordinary group of men Washington assembled for his first cabinets. Jefferson and Hamilton and their hatred of each other are certainly important parts of this history, but these men worked together to fashion not only the Cabinet, but also the strong Presidential powers we see to this day. Other key figures in American history also served in Washington"s cabinets, including Knox, Randolph, and McHenry or worked with the Cabinet in meaningful ways (John Jay). The relationships of these important figures and their efforts to define a nation while working in a tiny study in the President's House are a fascinating and illuminating read that sheds light on every presidency and Cabinet.
