"The First Congress was the most important in US history says prizewinning author and historian Fergus Bordewich, because it established how our government would actually function. Had it failed--as many at the time feared it would--it's possible that the United States as we know it would not exist today,"--NoveList.

Preface: Nebuchadnezzar's monster -- An ocean always turbulent -- The fostering hand of government -- A new era -- Pomp and quiddling -- A very perplexing business -- A great and delicate subject -- Vile politics -- Propositions of a doubtful nature -- Paper guarantees -- A centre without parallel -- Interlude I -- The labyrinth of finance -- A gross national iniquity -- The trumpet of sedition -- Cabals, meetings, plots & counterplots -- A southern position -- Indians -- Interlude II -- Freedom's favorite seat -- A most mischievous engine -- Epilogue: American dawn.