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The Cabinet
- George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution
- Narrated by: Janet Metzger
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
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Publisher's summary
On November 26, 1791, George Washington convened his department secretaries - Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph - for the first cabinet meeting. Why did he wait two and a half years into his presidency to call his cabinet? Because the US Constitution did not create or provide for such a body. Washington was on his own.
Faced with diplomatic crises, domestic insurrections, and constitutional challenges - and finding congressional help lacking - Washington decided he needed a group of advisors he could turn to. He modeled his new cabinet on the councils of war he had led as commander of the Continental Army. In the early days, the cabinet served at the president's pleasure. Washington tinkered with its structure throughout his administration, at times calling regular meetings, at other times preferring written advice and individual discussions.
Lindsay M. Chervinsky reveals the far-reaching consequences of Washington's choice. The tensions in the cabinet between Hamilton and Jefferson heightened partisanship and contributed to the development of the first party system. And as Washington faced an increasingly recalcitrant Congress, he came to treat the cabinet as a private advisory body to summon as needed, greatly expanding the role of the president and the executive branch.
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Over the course of his life, James Madison changed the United States three times: First, he designed the Constitution, led the struggle for its adoption and ratification, then drafted the Bill of Rights. As an older, cannier politician, he cofounded the original Republican party, setting the course of American political partisanship. Finally, having pioneered a foreign policy based on economic sanctions, he took the United States into a high-risk conflict, becoming the first wartime president and, despite the odds, winning.
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Cogently organized, meticulously balanced
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The Return of George Washington: 1783-1789
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- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
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Although Washington is often overlooked in most accounts of the period, this masterful new history from Pulitzer Prize winner Edward J. Larson brilliantly uncovers Washington's vital role in shaping the Convention - and shows how it was only with Washington’s support and his willingness to serve as President that the states were brought together and ratified the Constitution, thereby saving the country.
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A readable history
- By Jean on 10-21-14
By: Edward Larson
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Saving Freedom
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- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
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History called on Harry Truman to unite the Western world against Soviet communism, but first he had to rally Republicans and Democrats behind America’s most dramatic foreign policy shift since George Washington delivered his farewell address. How did one of the least prepared presidents to walk into the Oval Office become one of its most successful?
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An engaging review of a remarkable president
- By Mark A on 11-29-20
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John Tyler, the Accidental President
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The first vice president to become president on the death of the incumbent, John Tyler (1790-1862) was derided by critics as "His Accidency." In this biography of the 10th president, Edward P. Crapol challenges depictions of Tyler as a die-hard advocate of states' rights, limited government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Instead, he argues, Tyler manipulated the Constitution to increase the executive power of the presidency. Crapol also highlights Tyler's faith in America's national destiny and his belief in boundless territorial expansion.
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Terrible book :( Incredibly TEDIOUS.
- By Mike on 10-02-19
By: Edward P. Crapol
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Plain, Honest Men
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The Constitutional Convention affected nothing less than a revolution in the nature of the American government. Led by James Madison, a small cohort of delegates devised a plan that would radically alter the balance of power between state and national governments, and then sprung that idea on a largely unsuspecting convention.
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Grand Narrative
- By Maddie49 on 10-12-11
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Madison's Gift
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- By: David Stewart
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Short, plain, balding, neither soldier nor orator, low on charisma and high on intelligence, Madison cared more about achieving results than taking the credit. To reach his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic, he blended his talents with those of key partners. It was Madison who led the drive for the Constitutional Convention and pressed for an effective new government as his patron George Washington lent the effort legitimacy.
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Excellent history of our nation's founding
- By JJay on 02-23-15
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John Adams
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John Adams once wrote, “People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity.” That was very much Adams’ experience. Having been born in the English colony of Massachusetts in 1735, he not only witnessed a new nation emerging from the shell of infancy, but he also participated in its growing pains. Adams was a man who was frequently asked to assume roles in which he had little experience, like that of a diplomat to France and England. In a sense, he was a part of the vanguard that the government had thrown into the fray.
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American Creation
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From the first shots fired at Lexington to the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase, Joseph J. Ellis guides us through the decisive issues of the nation's founding, and illuminates the emerging philosophies, shifting alliances, and personal and political foibles of our now iconic leaders: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and Adams.
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Good But Not Quite There
- By Slide01 on 06-02-13
By: Joseph J. Ellis
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Founding Fathers
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- Length: 26 hrs and 23 mins
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Explore the captivating lives of the Founding Fathers. Eight captivating manuscripts in one audiobook. So if you want to learn more about the life of Founding Fathers, get this audiobook now!
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filled with inaccuracies
- By Eben on 04-13-22
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Jefferson and Hamilton
- The Rivalry That Forged a Nation
- By: John Ferling
- Narrated by: Bo Foxworth
- Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins
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The decade of the 1790s has been called the "age of passion". Fervor ran high as rival factions battled over the course of the new republic - each side convinced that the other's goals would betray the legacy of the Revolution so recently fought and so dearly won. All understood as well that what was at stake was not a moment's political advantage, but the future course of the American experiment in democracy. In this epochal debate, no two figures loomed larger than Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
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Biased and low quality
- By Yolanda Yzquierdo on 12-04-22
By: John Ferling
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Patrick Henry
- Champion of Liberty
- By: Jon Kukla
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
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Born in 1736, Patrick Henry was an attorney and a planter and an outstanding orator in the movement for independence. A contemporary of Washington, Henry stood with John and Samuel Adams among the leaders of the colonial resistance to Great Britain that ultimately created the United States. The first governor of Virginia after independence, he was reelected several times. After declining to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Henry opposed the Constitution, arguing that it granted too much power to the central government.
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Long awaited biography of Patrick Henry
- By GallowsJudge on 11-18-17
By: Jon Kukla
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What listeners say about The Cabinet
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- Richard H. Page
- 10-30-24
Not quite convinced
Interesting content — much I had never heard before. Strong need for stubborn editor — lots of repetition, 1/3 too long. Mildly annoying narration — too emotive. This is not a romance. All things considered — I am very glad I listened.
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- Michael C. Martirone
- 12-29-22
Great Insight into Washington’s Presidency
The cabinet is a wonderfully written book. It offers a unique insight into how Washington ran the government during his presidency. You might be surprised to discover how much conflict existed between the legislative oversight and executive branches.
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- J. White
- 03-23-24
Wonderful, informative read
This book provided a surprising amount of information about a period of American history that I thought I knew extremely well. The reading was well done. Just a wonderful overall experience.
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- William
- 12-21-21
Wisdoms is in multiple heads talking together
Lindsey Chervinsky gives us a well-researched treatise on the origin and original functionality of the President’s cabinet. The US Constitution lays out some general duties of the President but left it up to the President to flesh out the details based on real-time experience. However, the idea of a cabinet was, in some ways, a touchy subject. There were suggestions at the Constitutional Convention to include a cabinet but these were soundly rejected. Our leaders at that time had the experience of the British cabinet on their minds, an institution that held significant powers with little strong oversight from Parliament or the King. With fears of a too-strong presidency already dominating the thinking of many, they feared any institution that might draw on the precedent of the British model.
It was okay for him to appoint heads of departments and to ask advice of them in matters related to their department, but they feared a president relying too much on the discussions and possibly decisions of a group of people. Thus it was two and one-half years into his first term before he called a meeting of his department heads together for advice.
Chervinsky emphasizes Washington’s military background as well as his own personality. We may think of Washington as a heroic father figure who was all wise and a great leader on his own. In fact, Washington’s wisdom was in gathering experts around him that he plied for information and advice, respecting them whether he took their advice or not, but making the final decision himself. That was his strength as a military leader and he took that humility into the presidency as well. That first cabinet meeting was a significant crisis and he wanted to hear from many different corners (and his cabinet included such polar opposites as Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson) before making the weighty decisions needed.
So, while the cabinet had been rejected by the writers of the Constitution, there was nothing in the Constitution that forbade it. It was the personal choice of the president and Washington set the precedent that has continued, though adapted, throughout the presidency to this day. It was an advisory body and didn’t make decisions, which were left to the president. And, the whole cabinet met to give advice whether the issue was something directly under their department or not.
Chervinsky goes through the history of the British cabinet, the discussions of the Constitutional Convention, and the history and personality of Washington. She shows how the cabinet helped in two major crises, one international and one domestic. Washington’s careful wording of the declaration of neutrality when war broke out between France and Britain is discussed in detail, but particularly the role that the cabinet played in the decision and in the wording of the declaration, which successfully kept the fledgling nation out of war at a time when it needed stability. The Whiskey Rebellion was a great test of the nation's will to remain united as well as the role of the federal government in a conflict in a single state. While this was an issue that fell under the Treasury Department, the input received from other cabinet members was invaluable at coming to a good solution both for the immediate problem but for the long-term precedent that all actions would create.
Chervinsky writes in a style that can be easily read by anyone interested in history or government. Her research into Washington’s life and work is especially helpful and makes the book even more relevant to today as the role of the president is under such scrutiny. Washington created a cabinet because he wanted to listen. He was decisive but not impulsive nor foolish. He never felt that he had all the answers or that only he could solve things.
I wouldn’t say that there is nothing that could be improved in this book. There were several places where it seemed that whole paragraphs were repeated. I’d like to have seen more about the parallels between his leadership as general and as president. But, I’d still highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about the presidency and how it should operate. For that, this book provides food for thought and a good foundation for further study.
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- William K.
- 02-13-22
Pretty dry.
Struggled to finish. Monotone narrator. A little repetitive. But a good look into the mind and heart of Washington.
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- Eric Wasson
- 09-12-23
Great historical view
This book explains Washington’s experience with various advisers and how the cabinet was put into practice by him.
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- Gil
- 09-07-20
Remarkable History Lesson
I had no idea what this was going to be like other then I truly had no idea of how the presidents cabinet came to be. This book was so detailed and yet so engrossing I could not put the book down and when I did I had to get this audio book. Truly a great read and a wonderful listen. Hope to see many more works by Dr. Chervinsky in the feature. Highly recommend this if you love history or just wonder how the Presidents Cabinet came to be. A fantastic Job by the Story teller Janet Metzger Thank you to all.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Ross J. Patti
- 12-15-20
Fruitful review of the first Presidency
A well researched and developed story with much needed annotations of sourcing. I did feel like this was multiple theses puzzles together, because certain lines are repeated about the foundational knowledge.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Jeff Carpenter
- 09-24-23
Loved it
Not exactly what I expected but I thought it was great. Learned lots! Expected just a bit more of the cabinet and less history about each person. Still enjoyable!
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- D. Littman
- 04-19-20
An outstanding read
This is an outstanding history & political science book, it should be satisfying to the American history scholar, dabbler and even to the general reader. Chervinsky does a great job showing how the cabinet system was formed by reference the British models (pro & con), the operation of both states in the early Republic & the Confederation Congress, how Washington put his stamp on creating the cabinet system, and 'operated" it through the crises of the 8 years of his Administration. The book is revealing on how unstable and contentious Washington's cabinet turned out to be, with particular focus on Jefferson vs Hamilton, Jefferson's growing disloyalty, and such challenges as the Whiskey Rebellion, the Jay Treaty, the resignation of Edmund Randolph & relations with the unstable French government (and its ambassadors). The book is well-written - clear, short sentences, well organized sections & paragraphs, not afflicted with the terrific density of multi-syllabic words, and it is light on theory/philosophy. The narration by Janet Metzger is excellent.
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5 people found this helpful