Prof. Meyerson on Book TV May 17
May 8, 2008
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
University of Baltimore School of Law Professor Michael I. Meyerson and his new book, Liberty's Blueprint: How Madison and Hamilton Wrote the Federalist Papers, Defined the Constitution, and Made Democracy Safe for the World, will be the subject of an episode of C-SPAN2's Book TV on Saturday, May 17 at noon. The program was taped during a recent reading and discussion by Meyerson, hosted at Olsson's Books & Records in Washington, D.C.
In the book, Meyerson explains how a careful reading of the essays known as the Federalist Papers can lead to solutions to many contemporary legal and political issues. Meyerson's research into the essays—which were published as a two-volume book and considered essential reading for years—led to his conclusion that Alexander Hamilton and James Madison had provided the answers to understanding the Constitution's timeless principles. The Federalist Papers show how this 18th century document, created in a time of sailing ships and single-shot muskets, can be applied to a 21st century world of stealth aircraft and dirty bombs.
Liberty's Blueprint reveals, for the first time, the complexity of the personal relationship between the philosophical and cautious Madison and the charismatic and reckless Hamilton. Meyerson shows how, in the turbulent years from the end of the Revolutionary War through the administration of George Washington, that relationship evolved from a volatile political alliance into an unexpected friendship, only to disintegrate into estrangement and animosity.
Meyerson specializes in constitutional law and American legal history at UB. He has written more than 20 scholarly articles on these broad topics, is a frequent contributor to newspaper op-ed pages and has appeared on radio and television. His most recent book, Political Numeracy: Mathematical Perspectives on Our Chaotic Constitution (2002), was widely praised for its use of the tools of math to consider the emphases of the document, and the limits of freedom.
Meyerson serves as the Piper & Marbury Faculty Fellow at UB.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.