1794: America, Its Army, and the Birth of the Nation

This little gem of a book is one of the most interesting I have ever read. It covers the disbanding of the Continental Army, the fear of a standing army by some of the Founding Fathers, the anti-military stance of the anti-Federalists, the Constitutional Convention and how Washington was 'elected' as the first President, and how the US quelled both the Indian problems in the Old Northwest and the Whiskey Rebellion.The narrative is crisp, accurate, and the tale told is fascinating. The cast of characters, from Washington and Frankling, through Hamilton and Gerry, and finally to Anthony Wayne is impressive, spellbinding, and completely fascinating.It is a great read and gives insight into the troubles, nearly fatal troubles, that the young United States faced in its irst decade and a half as an independent nation. This book also answers many questions: Why some of the Founders objected to a strong military establishment (Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were two that did-neither listened to Washington and settled on the dubious security of the militia which Washington considered 'a broken reed.'); why the Indians had to be fought in the Old Northwest; why the Constitution came into being, and finally how the United States finally survived and evolved.This is a character study of a young nation trying to come to grips with its own nationhood, and how it would fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence. It is a fascinating tale told with wit, verve, and accuracy.

Dave Palmer makes clear that the Second Amendment was aboutmilitary organization. It was not concerned with the civil rights ofprivate individuals ...