In 1783, as the Revolutionary War came to a close, Alexander Hamilton resigned in disgust from the Continental Congress after it refused to consider a fundamental reform of the Articles of Confederation. Just four years later, that same government collapsed, and Congress grudgingly agreed to support the 1787 Philadelphia Constitutional Convention, which altered the Articles beyond recognition. What occurred during this remarkably brief interval to cause the Confederation to lose public confidence and inspire Americans to replace it with a dramatically more flexible and powerful government? We Have Not a Government is the story of this contentious moment in American history. In George William Van Cleve’s book, we encounter a sharply divided America. The Confederation faced massive war debts with virtually no authority to compel its members to pay them. It experienced punishing trade restrictions and strong resistance to American territorial expansion from powerful European governments. Bitter sectional divisions that deadlocked the Continental Congress arose from exploding western settlement. And a deep, long-lasting recession led to sharp controversies and social unrest across the country amid roiling debates over greatly increased taxes, debt relief, and paper money. Van Cleve shows how these remarkable stresses transformed the Confederation into a stalemate government and eventually led previously conflicting states, sections, and interest groups to advocate for a union powerful enough to govern a continental empire. Touching on the stories of a wide-ranging cast of characters—including John Adams, Patrick Henry, Daniel Shays, George Washington, and Thayendanegea—Van Cleve makes clear that it was the Confederation’s failures that created a political crisis and led to the 1787 Constitution. Clearly argued and superbly written, We Have Not a Government is a must-read history of this crucial period in our nation’s early life.

In Cloud of Witnesses, Fr. George Rutler offers a personal account of the many remarkable people he has encountered throughout his life. From Robert Frost, to Mother Teresa to the many lesser known people, Fr. Rutler lets you in on the many graces that he has received through his own friendships. Told with personal vignettes in his signature style, Fr. Rutler offers not only an inside glimpse into his remarkable circle of friends, but also a deeper understanding and appreciation for the richness of the priestly ministry. "While Father George might not know everyone worth knowing, he does introduce us to a bewildering range of characters… We find no malice in these portraits, but he is honest, perhaps a little tougher on his fellow clerics, as he writes loyally of the humanity of his friends. I know a few of the characters brought to life in these sketches and can vouch for their accuracy. I therefore feel confidence in recommending also the larger number of personalities I did not know." - From the foreword by George Cardinal Pell of Sydney This is an unusual book, written by an author with unusual insights, a wide range of knowledge, and an elegant style. Father George Rutler is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York. He is pastor of the Church of Our Saviour in New York City and is the author of many books. He is on the board of numerous schools and colleges and is chaplain of the New York Guild of Catholic Lawyers and various fraternal societies. He has been a spiritual director for the Missionaries of Charity and other Religious orders and has lectured and given retreats in numerous countries. For over twenty years his programs on EWTN have been broadcast worldwide.

Early Friends Families of Upper Bucks is a collection of genealogical and historical information pertaining to the first settlers of the upper part of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Separate chapters are assigned to each family, and approximately 12,000 persons are named and identified. The genealogies commence with the first of the Bucks County line (usually during the period of the eighteenth century, but also earlier) and proceed, on average, through about eight generations.