Are We to Be a Nation?: The Making of the Constitution - Softcover

Bernstein, Richard B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674044762 ISBN 13: 9780674044760

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1987

Synopsis

The Constitution of the United States is the product of a revolution in political thought as momentous as the winning of American independence. This profusely illustrated volume is a magnificent tribute to the oldest surviving charter of a federal republic. In a felicitous blend of words and pictures, Richard B. Bernstein retells the entire story of this revolution: the problems under the Articles of Confederation; the intense, often vituperative debate between Americans and Europeans over the brave new republican experiment; the arguing, reasoning, and reconciliation of interests before, during, and after the Federal Convention in 1787; the often bitter struggle for ratification in the thirteen states and the critical importance of The Federalist in the accompanying propaganda war; the beginnings of government under the Constitution; and the states' adoption of the Bill of Rights.

The delegates to the Federal Convention were the foremost men of their states and regions―bookish but not reclusive, activist but not undisciplined, principled but not rigid. Bernstein's colorful description of the intellectual and political ferment they first created and then controlled brings to life their heroic effort. Along with these lost chapters of our history, he shows how experiments in government were a critical part of Americans' attempts to define their identity as a nation and a people.

The Constitution was the result of no miracle; the outcome was never foreordained. A blend of theory and practicality, it was to be understood by all, not just by experts, and was no talisman against evils or unyielding to new experiences. As it bound up the founding generation, it was to be a guide to their successors. Illuminating his discussion―and our understanding―of the Constitution is a huge array of rare, in some cases unique, documents assembled by The New York Public Library for its exhibition commemorating the bicentennial of the Constitution.

About this title

From Library Journal

This latest volume on the U.S. Constitution is notable for its political, social, and intellectual background and extensive illustrative material. The first half of the volume sets the stage for the Constitutional Convention and is especially good on the state constitutions and the Confederation period. The Convention itself is treated in an admirable fashion, but even more important is the handling of the ratification debate, a contest which was "as hard-fought as any battle of the Revolution." This is an excellent addition to the bicentennial literature, portraying the Constitution as the "product of a revolution in political thought" and as important as independence. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries. Roy H. Tryon, Delaw a re State Archives, Dover
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674044762
• ISBN 13: 9780674044760
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 356