The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution

Condition is AS NEW in a hard cover. DJ is AS NEW. The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution by David O. Stewart is a narrative history that provides a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the four-month Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia where the U.S. Constitution was forged through intense debate and compromise. The book covers: The setting and atmosphere: It describes the physical conditions of the secret meeting in a sweltering Philadelphia room, and the palpable sense of national crisis (huge debts, internal rebellion, weak central government under the Articles of Confederation) that drove the delegates. Key figures and their personalities: The book offers vivid portraits of well-known figures like the quiet, authoritative George Washington (who presided over the convention), the diligent James Madison (whose detailed notes shaped much of the document), and the witty Benjamin Franklin, as well as lesser-known but influential men like Gouverneur Morris and James Wilson. Major conflicts and compromises: Stewart highlights the deep divisions and "desperate balancing acts" required to reach a consensus. The primary issues included: Representation: The clash between large and small states over legislative power, ultimately resolved by the "Great Compromise" which established both the House of Representatives (proportional representation) and the Senate (equal representation per state). Federal vs. state power: The debate over creating a strong central government without completely eroding the power of individual states. Slavery: The heated debates over "America's original sin," which led to the "Three-Fifths Compromise" (counting 60% of enslaved people for representation) and a temporary allowance for the international slave trade to continue. Executive power: The struggle to define the presidency and the creation of the complex Electoral College system. A "true-life suspense story": The book is framed as a narrative that emphasizes the fragility of the process, noting that many delegates threatened to leave and some did, making the final agreement seem like a close call. The document's legacy: The book concludes by reflecting on how this "flawed but living and breathing document" has endured and evolved, from the immediate addition of the Bill of Rights to its function in modern America. Ultimately, The Summer of 1787 aims to show the Founding Fathers not as demigods, but as "plain, honest men" who, through political skill and painful compromise, managed to create an enduring framework for a functioning democracy.…