John Jay - by Walter Stahr (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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." --Ron Chernow, author of "Alexander Hamilton"
"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." -- Walter Isaacson, author of "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life"
"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."--John Ferling, author of "A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic "and "Adams Verses Jefferson: The Election of 1800"
"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.
Co-author of the Federalist Papers, President of the Continental Congress, Secretary for
Foreign Affairs, Chief Justice, Governor: this towering figure of the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches made an amazing and indelible imprint on a nation destined to become the world's sole superpower. Walter Stahr's engrossi

"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--Sanford Lakoff

"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--Sanford Lakoff

"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--Sanford Lakoff "The New York Review Of Books "

"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--Sanford Lakoff

"This wonderful book should restore Jay's place in the pantheon of our great Founding Fathers." Walter Isaacson--Sanford Lakoff

"Walter Stahr's even-handed account...is riveting on the matter of negotiating tactics, as practiced by Adams, Jay and Franklin." The Economist--Sanford Lakoff

"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--Sanford Lakoff "The Washington Times "

"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--Sanford Lakoff "Publishers Weekly "

"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--Sanford Lakoff

About the Author

Walter Stahr is an international lawyer for Emerging Markets Partnership in Washington, DC. He lives in Vienna, Virginia.