I love history. Every city I visit, I seek out whatever they may have in the way of historical interest and go to see it. I love reading primary sources, and I love the whole sense and sweep of history.
WitNit, which has long been a favorite of mine, though I do not often refer to it, has found this wonderful link to a transcript of a lecture on the Federalist Papers.
For most of us the Federalist Papers were something we encountered as a mention in a high-school text and which we went out of our way to avoid in college. Nevertheless they are key primary sources for understanding issues in American History and issues that continue to affect us to this day. They are philosophical and practical. It is important to remember that they were written largely as information and propaganda as the constitutional convention was going about its work. They prepared the groundwork for moving from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution and may have been instrumental in the acceptance of the latter. They are wide ranging, talking about everything from a national bank and national debt to state's rights.
The short lecture details why these are important and even gives key papers to read if you are not inclined to spend time reading them all (although they would repay the careful reader many times over). Anyway, enough of my plug go and visit the lecture and/or WitNit--you'll be glad you did.
