This book has been hailed as "the finest in revisionist history." Jensen's thesis it to refute the "traditional" picture of the period of the United States prior to the ratification of the Constitution as a period of "stagnation, ineptitude, and corruption.

Though this book changed the way historians look at the confederation period of the United States, I don't see that he has really made his point. Stagnation, ineptitude, and corruption were there aplenty.

For anyone who wants a good history of the confederation period, Jensen's research and cross-references are excellent, and there is much information of historical interest. It is not a good source, however, for the general history. Shays' rebellion, for example is barely mentioned. Jensen is supporting his thesis, not writing a general history. He has written other books that do the latter. ( )