Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's : three men, five great wines, and the evening that changed America / Charles A. Cerami.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cerami, Charles A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826.

Jefferson, Thomas.

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804.

Hamilton, Alexander.

Madison, James, 1751-1836.

Madison, James.

Statesmen--United States.

Statesmen.

Dinners and dining.

History.

United States.

Dinners and dining--United States--History--18th century.

United States--Politics and government--1789-1797.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

x, 270 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley ; Chichester : John Wiley [distributor], 2008.

Summary:

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 surging issues that threatened to tear the young republic apart.

Plying his guests with fine wine and exquisite cuisine that 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.

Contents:

Before the clash

An old friend's bombshell

The mounting anger

The radical conservative

Aggressive lobbying

Thoughts of breaking up

Jefferson's awakening

A country without a capital

Doubters and believers

Nearing a decision on the capital

The day on the street

Dinner at Secretary Jefferson's

The Philadelphia story

Doubts settled, doubts revived

Hamilton the unstoppable?

Before the fall

From brilliance to disaster

The disappearing cabinet

One heart and one mind

The Jefferson factor

Recipes from Monticello's kitchen

Alexander Hamilton's letter to new coast guard officials.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-259) and index.

ISBN:

9780470083062

0470083069

OCLC:

212375972