History novice needs your help

[shaz]

I am looking for a book on the history of the writing of the American Constitution.

[Socialist Dem]

1. There are a few I could recomend,

but what specifically are you looking for?

How the Constitution was written?
The Process of hammering out what was put in and what was removed?
Information about the people who helped form it?
Specificaly about the Bill of Rights?
Different interpretations of the articles and what the FF intended?
The history of how the Articles of Confederation were transformed into the Constitution?

[shaz]

2. Actually 2 of the above

The process of hammering out what was put in

and

Information about the people who helped form it

Maybe you could recommend books on each subject

Thanks in advance for your help

[orpupilofnature57]

3. Library of congress, has most of the documents,chronology.

[tishaLA]

4. Library of America

has a two-volume set about this. You should also look at Original Meanings : Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution, which is especially excellent. You can also look at most books by Bernard Bailyn, Gordon Wood, and Robert Middlekauff's The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789.

[shaz]

5. Thank you

I appreciate your help.

[RoyGBiv]

7. Another suggestion ...

Try _Miracle in Philadelphia_ by Catherine Bowen.

The analysis in this book isn't very deep, which is to say it's kind of "pop" history, but I find it to be a good intro if you're a novice to the subject and personalities. That's the intent of the author, so none of this should be taken as a criticism. It'll give you some background as well as a decent play-by-play of the process of forming the Constitution, and it's a readable book. The really good, inciteful books on the Constitution tend to be a bit dry. Seems even legal scholars tend to develop that grating writing style of the profession.

[bobbieinok]

9. I read this in HS or college...remains for me an important, hellpful book

[Lizzie Borden]

11. I'd reccomend that one too,

especially if you want an overview.

[RoyGBiv]

6. I second _Original Meanings_

Excellent book. Jack Rakove is the author, FWIW. It's currently available in paperback from pretty much any bookseller with a decent-sized history collection.

[HarrietBrown]

8. Once you've read a little about it, check out Madison's notes on the

debates at http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/debates/debcont.htm. They are fascinating.

Also http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/constitution.html has a good online exhibition with basic information.

[shaz]

10. Thank you all

I went to Half Price Books this morning and found a Copy of Miracle at Philadelphia. After I finish this one, I'll continue on with the rest of your suggestions.

Thanks again

[Mojambo]

12. I used to work at Half Price Books.

Not in Texas though.

[DebJ]

13. If it is not too late, try "A Brilliant Solution" by Carol Berkin. I

found this very 'readable' as well as informative. Kind of book I will read a few more times.

[UrbScotty]

14. "Liberty, Order, and Justice" by Professor James McClellan

Copyright 2000