Synopses & Reviews
Cerami wittily recounts the evening in rich detail.
—Library Journal
Only two guests were invited to what was arguably the most elegant, sumptuous, and important dinner party that Thomas Jefferson ever hosted. Each course was prepared and laid out in advance so that no servants would enter the dining room to disrupt conversation and overhear random remarks, which they might later repeat to others. Privacy was imperative. Jefferson believed that the very future of the United States of America depended on convincing Alexander Hamilton to agree to a compromise he and Madison were proposing on two issues that threatened to tear the young republic apart.
Plying his guests with the fine wine and exquisite cuisine only a former ambassador to France could provide, Jefferson set the stage for a compromise that enabled the federal government to pay its debts, both domestic and foreign, and make the American dollar ""as good as gold.""
In Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's, you'll discover the little-known story behind this pivotal evening in American history, complete with wine lists, recipes, and wonderful illustrations of 1790s New York, then the nation's capital. It is a feast not to be missed for lovers of American history, fine dining, and a compelling true story well told.
Review
* ""Cerami wittily recounts the evening in rich detail, embracing the culinary details as well as the larger story of President Washington's quarrelsome cabinet, the evolution of the dual party system, and Jefferson's emergence as a persuasive national leader."" (
Library Journal, February 1, 2008)
It was 1790, and Thomas Jefferson and one of his dinner guests, James Madison, were determined to work out a political compromise critical to the nations future with their third dinner companion (and political opponent), Alexander Hamilton. This gathering around Jeffersons celebrated table involved nothing less than the creation of the young nations finances, foreign relations and the eventual location of its capital. The dinners results? An agreement that, Congress willing, the new government would assume the states war debts, issue bonds to fund the national debt and make the Potomacs banks the capitals permanent site. Congress agreed. Cerami (Jeffersons Great Gamble) presents a fast-paced narrative of an event well-known but never told so brightly—nor at such unnecessary length. While Cerami puts the dinner-table agreement at his storys center, it was but one of a number of seismic events, acts and decisions of the 1790s. Cerami slights many of those when hes not giving us too much detail about other minor ones, such as Jeffersons cooking recipes and a short disquisition (and a long document) on Hamiltons role in the Coast Guards founding. Compression would have made this inherently fascinating story pack the punch it should. (Feb.) (Publishers Weekly, October 22, 2007)
Synopsis
Soon after the new Constitution took effect and George Washington became president, the United States was in serious danger of disaster. A bitter political rivalry between men who had once been allies and two surging issues that inflamed the nation led to grim talk of breaking up the union. Then a single great evening -- arguably the most important dinner party in American history -- achieved the compromises that led to America's mighty expansion. Though often mentioned, that dinner has not been recognized as a milestone in the nation's history. This book gives life to host Thomas Jefferson and his two guests Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, as well as the dinner itself -- the courses, the wines, the nature of the conversation -- and the rapid results that followed.
Synopsis
A New York Times extended bestselling author re-creates the dinner party that saved the union
The Constitution was two years old. Washington was in his first term of office, and the United States was in serious danger. Bitter political rivalry between former allies and two surging issues that inflamed the nation led to grim talk of breaking up the union. Then a single great evening achieved compromises that led to America's great expansion. This book celebrates Thomas Jefferson and his two guests, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, as well as the dinner itself–the courses, the wines, the nature of the conversation–and the rapid results that followed.
Charles A. Cerami (Washington, DC) is the author of three popular histories, including the New York Times extended bestseller Jefferson's Great Gamble (978-1-4022-0240-7), Young Patriots (978-1-4022-0236-0), and Benjamin Banneker (978-0-471-38752-7).
Synopsis
"A fast-paced narrative of an event well-known but never told so brightly."
-Publishers Weekly
Dinner at Mr.Jefferson's
Three Men, Five Great Wines, and the Evening that Changed America
Charles A. Cerami
Synopsis
The Constitution was two years old and the United States was in serious danger. Bitter political rivalry between former allies and two surging issues that inflamed the nation led to grim talk of breaking up the union. Then a single great evening achieved compromises that led to America's great expansion. This book celebrates Thomas Jefferson and his two guests, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and the meal that saved the republic. In Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's, you'll discover the little-known story behind this pivotal evening in American history, complete with wine lists, recipes, and more.
Synopsis
"Cerami wittily recounts the evening in rich detail."
—Library Journal
Only two guests were invited to what was arguably the most elegant, sumptuous, and important dinner party that Thomas Jefferson ever hosted. Each course was prepared and laid out in advance so that no servants would enter the dining room to disrupt conversation and overhear random remarks, which they might later repeat to others. Privacy was imperative. Jefferson believed that the very future of the United States of America depended on convincing Alexander Hamilton to agree to a compromise he and Madison were proposing on two issues that threatened to tear the young republic apart.
Plying his guests with the fine wine and exquisite cuisine only a former ambassador to France could provide, Jefferson set the stage for a compromise that enabled the federal government to pay its debts, both domestic and foreign, and make the American dollar "as good as gold."
In Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's, you'll discover the little-known story behind this pivotal evening in American history, complete with wine lists, recipes, and wonderful illustrations of 1790s New York, then the nation's capital. It is a feast not to be missed for lovers of American history, fine dining, and a compelling true story well told.
About the Author
Charles A. Cerami is the author of several popular histories, including the New York Times extended bestseller Jefferson's Great Gamble, Young Patriots, Benjamin Banneker, and other books.