John Jay: Founding Father

by Walter Stahr Narrated by Andrew Garman

Overview

From the award-winning and New York Times best-selling author of Seward and Stanton, here is the critically acclaimed and definitive biography of John Jay: a major Founding Father, a true national hero, and a leading architect of America's future. 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 this first full-length biography of John Jay in almost 70 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Seward: Lincoln’s Indispensable Man





“[A] masterly new biography . . . [of] one of the most influential and polarizing American politicians of the nineteenth century.” —The New Yorker





“This magnificent biography finally provides what William Henry Seward so justly deserves—a full, terrific and complex portrait of his endlessly fascinating life.” —Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Team of Rivals





“Politician, diplomat, raconteur, a figure of controversy and power, Seward has finally found a biographer equal to his importance.” —James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era





“This formidable figure has finally gained the biographer he’s long deserved…a first-rate biography.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Washington Times

Walter Stahr, an independent scholar, has written a fascinating, learned and beautifully written biography about a major figure of the American Revolution, one who has been too long overlooked. Mr. Stahr deserves consideration for the Pulitzer Prize for biography. His loving description of Manhattan in Jay's time filled me, a onetime New Yorker, with nostalgia... Stahr's biography, which sometimes reads like a novel because of its episodic quality, has opened up a whole new vista of the 13 colonies on the eve of battle and the miraculous aftermath that made possible the United States of America. I look forward to reading more history from this gifted scholar.

Weekly Standard

Walter Stahr's excellent new biography should reestablish 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....This biography has the considerable virtue of being justly admiring without being fawning. Stahr notes Jay's propensity to be especially sharp with some of his extended relations. And while admiring Jay's longstanding opposition to slavery, he chides him for keeping slaves of his own and not freeing them expeditiously or graciously. Stahr minces no words about the virulence of Jay's anti-Catholicism, a product of the persecution of his Huguenot forebears...Walter Stahr deserves high praise for recovering the legacy of a great American statesman, and a remarkable man.

Booklist

John Jay's writings lacked Jefferson's passionate eloquence in defense of liberty; his demeanor did not radiate the gravitas of Washington; he apparently did not share Madison's zest for and grasp of political theory. Yet, as this well-done biography illustrates, Jay was a vital figure in the founding of our republic, and he deserves an ample share of credit for the nurturing of our nation in its infancy. Stahr, an international lawyer, has written a fast-paced narrative account of Jay's life that stresses his deep religious connections, strength of moral character, and dedication to duty. By nature, Jay was conservative, and he was a reluctant revolutionary with the usual Federalist fears about unrestrained democracy. As an attorney and as first chief justice of the Supreme Court, he understood implicitly the need for the rule of law to prevail over the tendency to seek salvation from "great" men. He was a gifted diplomat whose negotiations in Europe helped our vulnerable nation to avoid conflicts with European powers, and he was an effective governor of New York.

Richard Brookhiser

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.

author of A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to John Ferling

John Jay, the Founding Father most ignored by historians, has long awaited a good biography. Here it is! Jay played salient roles in many crucial aspects of the founding of the nation. He served in the Continental Congress, held diplomatic posts, played a vital role in the ratification of the Constitution, sat on the Supreme Court, and was governor of New York during the intensely partisan 1790s. Now, at last, a fine biography of this exceptional man is available. 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.

author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life Walter Isaacson

John Jay was a brilliant and fascinating statesman who, along with his friend Benjamin Franklin, helped define the values of American diplomacy. Walter Stahr writes with great insight, and this wonderful book should help restore Jay's place in the pantheon of our great Founding Fathers.

author of Alexander Hamilton Ron Chernow

Walter Stahr has not only given us a meticulous study of the life of John Jay, but one very much written in the spirit of the man. It is thorough, fair, and consistently intelligent and presented with the most scrupulous accuracy.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170843428
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	09/22/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos