“Consistently provocative . . . The political method of the framers and its historical appropriateness are luminously explained. ―Journal of American History In this masterly account of the Philadelphia summer when our Constitution was born; Clinton Rossiter establishes his claim that the year 1787 is preeminent in American history. Bringing to life the setting and the challenge; he shows how the delegates hammered out the document on which our government and institutions rest today.
#555895 in Books W W Norton Company 2013-11-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.60 x 6.50l; 1.99 #File Name: 0393240215480 pagesW W Norton Company
Review
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful. Foretelling HomesBy VA DuckA clever approach to better understanding a select set of Founders and Framers based on the influence their homes had on them and their influence in the shaping of the home. William Livingston of NJ; John Jay and Alexander Hamilton of NY; George Washington; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; and the Lee Family of VA are the biographic subjects examined.Not unexpectedly; most of the book is conventional biography of the subjects; but the architectural influence is always the highlight of each biography. Author Myron Magnet makes the read sparkle with clear prose and insightful observations and conclusions about his subjects. Chapter 7 on Hamilton captures the accomplishments; genius and zeal of Hamilton as well as most authors can manage in a full biography. And Chapter 10 on Madison offers a number of suggestions that explain Mr. Madison's political and philosophical shift away from Federalist to Republican and away from key arguments he had made earlier as one of three contributors (under the pseudo-name) "Publius"; in "The Federalist". In Chapter 2; Magnet presents an inexplicably FAR more sympathetic portrait of Arthur Lee than the bitter; obstreperous; and quarrelsome account usually presented by other historians. Read Lee himself in; The Founders on the Founders: Word Portraits from the American Revolutionary Era. (How does any biographer "fall in love" with Arthur Lee?; see Richard Henry Lee of Virginia: A Portrait of an American Revolutionary) Still... this is a thoroughly recommended read - either as a start for these subjects; or following the read of complete biographies of the subjects. For a similar treatment of architecture in history also see Professor Ryan K. Smith's impressive: Robert Morris's Folly: The Architectural and Financial Failures of an American Founder.-----kindle edition-----The kindle edition contains a number of illustrations and drawings that aid in the read in hardcopy format. The e-ink (non Fire) kindle struggles with resolution to adequately reproduce many of the illustrations. The publisher saved a few hours of copy editing by NOT linking the page-citations to the notes: an odd way of bilking the e-book format; and unfortunate for those who frequently follow a note to learn more; or where! Of course the index is similarly unlinked; giving the e-book all of the cumbersomeness of a paper book and ignoring the advantages of an electronic publication. e-book publication quality for thoroughly 20th century W.W. Norton Co.; ★★☆☆☆ - what in the world were they thinking?2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Just get it!By r.wintersHave twice given this as a gift. Recipients loved it. Anyone at all interested in our Revolution; our Constitution; our history will gobble it up. THE Biggie Book for your Hanukah; Christmas gift list.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Flawed but fabulousBy GardenerThis books certainly could have been better organized and could have been a a quarter shorter; but that said; I have to tell you it was a fascinating and worthwhile read for someone who has a yen for history and a love of this country. While to a large extent the author merely reminds a history buff of facts already known; though perhaps forgotten; he intersperses this with eye opening facts and perspectives far less well known. The author does not overlook the faults of some of the Founding Fathers; but he clearly likes and respects these men for their integrity and sacrifices. Above all else; therefore; this book reinvigorated my interest in the period; which I now intend to explore further.
