"In this book, Joanne Freeman offers a major reassessment of political culture in the early years of the American republic. By exploring both the public actions and private papers of key figures like Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton, as well as less famous politicians such as Senators William Maclay and William Plumer, Freeman reveals an alien and profoundly unstable political world grounded on the code of honor. In the absence of a party system and with few examples to guide America's great experiment in republican governance, national politicians monitored their conduct and attacked their rivals according to the ethic of honor."--Jacket.

Walking on untrodden ground: the challenges of national politics -- The theater of national politics -- Slander, poison, whispers, and fame: the art of political gossip -- The art of paper war -- Dueling as politics -- An honor dispute of grand proportions: the Presidential election of 1800 -- Constructing American history.