"Ratifying the Republic is an exquisite study of the politics of founding a viable government, of moving from 'legality to legitimacy.' This meticulously researched study relies on a combination of textual analysis, detailed review of debates and personal papers, and careful examination of roll call votes. Siemers has made a major contribution to our understanding of how our political system was formed and why it perseveres today, no small achievement for a young scholar."--Charles O. Jones, University of Wisconsin at Madison and The Brookings Institution"David Siemers's important new book illuminates the complex processes that helped the new Federal Constitution achieve legitimacy so quickly after its adoption. This book also settles the question of what actually happened to Anti-Federalists after ratification. The author makes a compelling case that Anti-Federalism was essential to the creation of a loyal opposition tradition within American political and constitutional life. Ratifying the Republic will become essential reading for any serious student of early American political life."--Saul Cornell, Ohio State University