Description
Book SynopsisHere, on a scale unmatched by any previous collection, is the extraordinary energy and eloquence of our first national political campaign: During the secret proceedings of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the framers created a fundamentally new national plan to replace the Articles of Confederation and then submitted it to conventions in each state for ratification. Immediately, a fierce storm of argument broke. Federalist supporters, Antifederalist opponents, and seekers of a middle ground strove to balance public order and personal liberty as they praised, condemned, challenged, and analyzed the new Constitution Gathering hundreds of original texts by Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, Washington, and Patrick Henry—as well as many others less well known today—this unrivaled collection allows readers to experience firsthand the intense year-long struggle that created what remains the world’s oldest working national charter.
Assembled here in chronolog
Trade Review"The best resource for understanding the morning headlines I've seen in a long time." —
Bill Moyers"An easily accessible set of sacred writings for America's civil religion, these two books are composed of the very stuff of history." —
The Chicago Tribune"Not only is it wonderful writing, it is wonderful thinking." —
Nina Totenberg, NPR
