John Jay: Founding Father

(Hardback)

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Description

John Jay was a central figure in the early history of the American Republic. A New York lawyer, born in 1745, Jay served his country with the greatest distinction and was one of the most influential of its Founding Fathers. In the first full-length biography in almost seventy years, Walter Stahr brings Jay vividly to life, setting his astonishing career against the background of the American Revolution.

Drawing on substantial new material, Walter Stahr has written a full and highly readable portrait of both the public and private man. It is the story not only of John Jay himself, the most prominent native-born New Yorker of the eighteenth century, but also of his engaging and intelligent wife, Sarah, who accompanied her husband on his wartime diplomatic missions. This lively and compelling biography presents Jay in the light he deserves: as a major Founding Father, a true national hero, and a leading architect of America's future.

Reviews

"This wonderful book should restore Jay's place in the pantheon of our great Founding Fathers."--Walter Isaacson -- Walter Isaacson
"Walter Stahr has not only given us a meticulous study of the life of John Jay, but one very much in the spirit of the man. It is thorough, fair, consistently intelligent, and presented with the most scrupulous accuracy. Let us hope that this book helps to retrieve Jay from the relative obscurity to which he has been unfairly consigned by biographical fashion in recent years."--Ron Chernow, author of Alexander Hamilton -- Ron Chernow
"John Jay, the Founding Father most ignored by historians has long awaited a good biography. Here it is! Walter Stahr has written a sensitive, illuminating and provocative life history of Jay that will be welcomed by all who are interested in the American Revolution and the establishment of the Republic."--John Ferling, author of Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 -- John Ferling
"For twenty-five years, John Jay served his country as congressman, diplomat, chief justice, governor and polemicist, yet managed to retire beloved by everyone. Walter Stahr adds his portrait to the gallery of America's founders."--Richard Brookhiser, author of Gentleman Revolutionary: Gouverneur Morris, the Rake Who Wrote the Constitution -- Richard Brookhiser
"The Federalists built the foundation of our modern American government, and no Federalist leader better exemplifies their vision for a soon-to-be vast and great nation than John Jay. Walter Stahr's engrossing biography captures as no other book the complex character and profound thought of this influential American Founder."--Christopher Cox, Member of Congress and Chairman, House Policy Committee -- Christopher Cox
"Walter Stahr's even-handed account...is riveting on the matter of negotiating tactics, as practiced by Adams, Jay and Franklin."--The Economist -- Economist, The
"Walter Stahr's excellent new biography should re-establish Jay's standing as one of America's great statesmen. It portrays Jay's life with a balance and command of the material worthy of the subject."--Weekly Standard -- Weekly Standard
"...Stahr has written a detailed, richly textured and nuanced biography of this almost-forgotten Founder."- Terence Ball, The Journal of American History, September 2006 * Journal of American History *
"Stahr has succeeded splendidly in his aim of recovering the reputation of John Jay as a major founder. His biography is a reliable and clearly written account [and] makes a persuasive case for including Jay among the first rank of Revolutionary leaders."--Gordon S. Wood in the New York Review of Books -- Gordon S. Wood * New York Review of Books *
"Stahr...captures both his subject's seriousness and his thoughtful, affectionate side as son, husband and father and friend. In humanizing Jay, Stahr makes him an appealing figure accessible to a large readership and places Jay once again in the company of America's greatest statesmen, where he unquestionably belongs."--Publishers Weekly -- Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *
"A fascinating, learned and beautifully written biography of a major figure of the American Revolution, one who has been too long overlooked. Mr. Stahr deserves consideration for the Pulitzer Prize."--Washington Times -- Washington Times * Washington Times *

Author Bio

He is an international lawyer with a longstanding interest in the history of the American Revolution. A graduate of Stanford University, he also studied at Harvard, where he was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review, and the Kennedy School of Public Policy.After working in Hong Kong, he spent some years as special counsel and principal speechwriter to SEC Chairman Richard Breeden. Currently Walter Stahr lives in northern Virginia with his wife and two children and is General Counsel of EMP Global, based inWashington DC, responsible for legal issues across the range of the firm's funds and activities.