Two esteemed American historians provide a reflective analytical survey of one of the most crucial periods in American history. They describe the events immediately following the American War of Independence when statesmen formed the new nation.

Modes of thought and feeling in the founding generation -- Legitimacy -- Finance and ideology -- The divided mind of James Madison, 1790 : nationalist versus ideologue -- The republic's capital city -- Jefferson and the yeoman republic -- Jefferson as Secretary of State -- The emergence of partisan politics : the "Republican interest" -- The French Revolution in America -- America and Great Britain -- The populist impulse -- The retirement of Washington -- John Adams and the dogma of "balance" -- Adams and Hamilton -- The settlement -- The mentality of Federalism in 1800.