'Holloway pursues a straightforward … yet original agenda: to review and compare the major state papers of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson written while they served, respectively, as Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State in the Washington administration. He writes as an American Xenophon, patiently illustrating the ways of intelligent statesmanship through the work of two masters. One ... Read morefeels the pressure of every choice and the subtle interplay of principle and policy. A marvelous achievement.' James Stoner, Louisiana State University 'Everybody knows something about the conflicts between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson while they served together in the cabinet of President George Washington. But nobody has studied in such depth or probed their meaning so thoughtfully and thoroughly as Carson Holloway.' Michael Zuckert, University of Notre Dame, Indiana 'Carson Holloway's meticulous study of the debates between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in the presidency of George Washington is distinguished by its thorough and fair-minded treatment of the nuances of [their] thought. Written with clarity and verve, it is a must-read for anyone interested in grappling with the profound differences of policy and principle dividing these founders and their legacy for contemporary political discourse.' Darren Staloff, City College of New York 'His account presents something profound and interesting: a rigorous, sustained dispute between two key Founders on the principles and practices of politics.' Matthew Spalding, The Nation 'Holloway … focuses on the conflict between Hamilton and Jefferson during their time together in President George Washington's cabinet (1790–93) … Carson Holloway's careful presentation of each man's arguments makes them available to us today with unprecedented clarity. This accomplishment - important in itself - should prove highly valuable at a time when both the progressive synthesis and the conservative reaction to it suffer from intellectual exhaustion.' Peter McNamara, Claremont Review of Books 'Carson Holloway's book offers a detailed account of the debates between two compelling figures of the Founding era. … the text covers the first term of the Washington Administration and the crucial period in which both Hamilton and Jefferson remained part of it.' Simon Gilhooley, The Review of Politics Show Less