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Washington: The Making of the American Capital | 
 enlarge | Author: Fergus Bordewich
Publisher: Amistad
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $14.99
You Save: $12.96 (46%)
New (39) Used (12) from $10.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 67971
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 1.4
ISBN: 0060842385
Dewey Decimal Number: 975.301
EAN: 9780060842383
ASIN: 0060842385
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: great condition
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Product Description
Washington, D.C., is home to the most influential power brokers in the world. But how did we come to call D.C.—a place one contemporary observer called a mere swamp "producing nothing except myriads of toads and frogs (of enormous size)," a district that was strategically indefensible, captive to the politics of slavery, and a target of unbridled land speculation—our nation's capital? In Washington, acclaimed and award-winning author Fergus M. Bordewich turns his eye to the backroom deal making and shifting alliances between our Founding Fathers and in doing so pulls back the curtain on the lives of slaves who actually built the city. The answers revealed in this eye-opening book are not only surprising and exciting but also illuminate a story of unexpected triumph over a multitude of political and financial obstacles, including fraudulent real estate speculation, overextended financiers, and management more apt for a "banana republic" than an emerging world power. In this page-turning work that reveals the hidden and somewhat unsavory side of the nation's beginnings, Bordewich, once again, brings his novelist's sensibility to a little-known chapter in American history.
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| Customer Reviews:
Scholarly Backstory September 7, 2008
This well written, easily read account of the decade long saga that is the history of Washington, D.C.'s creation as our national capital brings a bit of scholarly background of the Founding era to a general readership. The political, personal, international, financial, religious, medical, national security, and geographical details that each came to play in the selection and completion of this project are clearly explained. Whether famous or infamous, the players are presented fairly, but without omission of their very human motives and behaviors. Slavery is presented just as it was in this new Republican land-of-the-free: protected by the Constitution and a powerful force when expressed in the Federal Ratio. The quoted sentiments of many contemporaries bring the text an enjoyable contemporaneous quality. There are many poignant anecdotes, including the sheriff's arrest of a sitting Supreme Court justice and co-father of the Constitution, James Wilson, for failure to pay his debts. Without doubt, the lack of maps is a major disappointment. I found myself digging out my old tourist guides each time reference was made to today's geography. There is a place on the bookshelves of everyone interested in American history for this informative volume.
 Washington The Making of An American Capital August 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
If there is truth in advertising this book should be entitled Washington The Making of an American Capital & A History of Slavery in the United States 1789 - 1801. In an attempt to show the part that African - Americans played in the founding of he nation's capital he spent half of the book talking about the plight of free blacks and slaves in the middle atlantic states during the first dozen years of his country's history. While the book is a very good read it gets tiresome in points and goes overboard in the name of "political correctness"
 Buy this book August 6, 2008
This is simply a superb book. Extremely well told, rich with historical texture, with detail new even to those who "already know" this story, and especially fascinating to anyone who works in commercial real estate or finance, particularly those of us in DC.
To the real estate player, this is a development case study that will astound, amaze, and amuse on almost every page. To the financier in any industry, it will remind you our business never really changes.
Buy the book, you will find it hard to put down.
Washington: the Making of the American Capital July 27, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Thorough history of the creation of Washington, D.C., including a chapter on its re-creation after its 1814 destruction. It is unique in its inclusion of, in fact its emphasis on, the significant role slavery and slaves played in its creation. I was less impressed by several lengthy diversions, such as a chapter devoted predominantly to life in Philadelphia during the yellow fever epidemic. Though interesting, it may occupy more space than its relevancy deserves. A very significant lack is that of any maps in a book which has at its center so much geography.
Nation's Capitol May 14, 2008
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
Mr. Bordewich's latest book explains the complex process of the development of Washington D.C. The simplistic knowledge of the formation of the location of the capitol was based on a dinner party, however the truth is much more complicated. The history of this great metropolis was created amidst confusion, chicanery and speculation. It is fascinating to learn of the involvement of the main participants, those who detracted as well as those who pursued the completion of the city. Mr. Bordewich writes informative historical books and I look forward to the release of each of his books.
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