The Federalist

Written to answer critics of the proposed Constitution, the essays were organized by Alexander Hamilton after the draft from the Constitutional Convention of 1787 went to the states for ratification. Attacks signed Cato and Brutus had begun appearing in the New York press, and Hamilton set out to explain and defend the new framework to New Yorkers, publishing anonymously in three of the state's newspapers. He recruited John Jay, who fell ill after four essays and wrote one more, and James Madison, who became his main collaborator. Well-known numbers include Madison's 39 and 51, on federalism and checks and balances, and Hamilton's 70, 78 and 84, on a single executive, judicial review and his case against a Bill of Rights.

Barack Obama listed it among his most influential all-time favorites, according to his Facebook page and a 2008 New York Times interview.