“While some have boasted it as a work from Heaven, others have given it a less righteous origin. I have many reasons to believe that it is th...
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Apr 21, 2009
Tony
rated it: 
Beeman, Richard. PLAIN, HONEST MEN: The Making of the American Constitution. (2009). ****. Beeman is a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania and a famed scholar of the Constitution. In his preface, he notes that he has thought about writing this book for forty years. He’s finally done it. What he has done is to take us through the work done by the men who sat on the Constitutional Convention committees in 1787 and arrived at the framework of our Constitution. This is a
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Jul 29, 2011
This is a very good retelling of what happened in the summer of 1787, with the writing of the Constitution--the tensions that existed between the Federalists and those who valued states rights, the lack of interest in the process except for a very few, the work of James Madison in writing the document, and formulating the style of the document, the tensions between the slave states and the non-slave states, and while a bulk of the book goes almost day by day for awhile throughout that summer, he
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Jun 01, 2009
Bookmarks Magazine
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The challenge of writing an account of the Constitutional Convention is that so many accounts already exist. "Do we need another narrative history of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?" asks the Washington Post. While Beeman's book does not revolutionize the genre, it garners praise for examining the "the nuances and complexities of the compromises that the framers made" (New York Times) and for its detailed recreation of the Philadelphia debates. The most pointed complai
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Oct 08, 2011
Joseph
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"Laws are like sausages—it is best not to see them being made," is a statement misattributed to Otto von Bismarck. However, "Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution," an engrossing history of the concerns, debates, compromises, arguments, & revisions that went into forging our government's fundamental document & then getting it ratified, is a book I wholeheartedly & enthusiastically recommend to every American with concerns about the direction in which our
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Aug 28, 2011
Steve
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What a phenomenal summer read, being apropos since the Constitutions was created over the summer of 1787. The book accounts for pretty much a day by day account of what transpired during that historical summer in Philadelphia. It takes the three major contentious issues: Nationalism vs. Federalism, the role of the President, and slavery, and presents a philosophical accounting of all the major players. It brings to light the provincialism of some, and the genius of others, especially James Mad
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Jul 03, 2011
Bill
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This book is a very well written narrative history of the writing of the Constitution. The title does not really seem appropriate. I am sure the delegates would would be glad to be referred to as honest but plain does not seem a description they would prefer.
The topic of the book is a fascinating event. 55 men spent the summer writing a document which is the blueprint for a nation that has changed immensely and is the longest lasting constitutional republic in the world.
The process of More...
The topic of the book is a fascinating event. 55 men spent the summer writing a document which is the blueprint for a nation that has changed immensely and is the longest lasting constitutional republic in the world.
The process of More...
Apr 24, 2011
Lucas
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The first chapter gets off to a very slow start, telling the reader unnecessarily which hotels delegates checked into, what they were eating, or equally mundane details. Better it would have skipped forward to when real constitutional decisions are being made, those parts are fascinating.
The most riveting section is where the 3/5 of a person concession is made to the slave state representatives. Even if the fact of slavery could not be addressed at the time, it's extra insulting t More...
The most riveting section is where the 3/5 of a person concession is made to the slave state representatives. Even if the fact of slavery could not be addressed at the time, it's extra insulting t More...
Sep 27, 2009
Mel
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The book focuses on the Constitutional Convention that took place in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. All the "big names" were there--Washington, Jefferson, Franklin--and, of course, William Paterson of New Jersey. While slow in a couple of spots, the information gleaned from this treasure of a book is well worth it. The book not only covers what happened inside the convention, but who was dining with whom, or staying in the same boarding house, outside the convention. Interestin
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Aug 01, 2009
Grace
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Excellent read!
Richard Beeman brings history to life in this creative retelling of the events of the Constitutional Convention and its ratification by the states. It goes more in depth than any other book I've read on the convention and it does in it a way that reads more like a story, which makes the information overload much easier to comprehend.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in that era of American history or anyone who wants a better under More...
Richard Beeman brings history to life in this creative retelling of the events of the Constitutional Convention and its ratification by the states. It goes more in depth than any other book I've read on the convention and it does in it a way that reads more like a story, which makes the information overload much easier to comprehend.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in that era of American history or anyone who wants a better under More...
Feb 04, 2011
David
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This is a good read, for sure. I found it ironic that the same arguments that these men were having in 1787 are still being argued today! I think the beauty of the original document is that Article VII is where it states that this thing will have to be amended, and often.
I think the most startling item in this tale is the women who was stoned on the streets of Philadelphia that summer, accused of being a witch. She died days later and it is the saddest part of that summer.
The More...
I think the most startling item in this tale is the women who was stoned on the streets of Philadelphia that summer, accused of being a witch. She died days later and it is the saddest part of that summer.
The More...
Sep 29, 2011
Holly
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I read this to feel more qualified to work at the National Constitution Center. :) From colleagues I've talked to, this is one of the best-written accounts of the Constitutional Convention. It's the only one I've read so far, but every one I read after this will be compared to this one. It's written in such a way that even though I know how the history ends, there's still a sense of suspense and feeling emotionally invested in teh story. In addition, it's simply an intellectually rigorous, evenh
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Aug 18, 2011
James
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The history of the making of the Constitution is presented here as it was created by an impressive group of individuals. Richard Beeman's excellent detailed account of the summer of 1787 relates the revolutionary results of these individuals in the context of their time. I was impressed with the character of the men who were able to work in secrecy for months even though their views were passionate and varied from state to state and even within some delegations. Holding the group together wer
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Sep 20, 2010
Ray
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A little dry in parts, and a little long, but certainly a definitive work on the founding fathers and the development of our current system of government. Beeman really gets into the nature and depth of discussions among the delegates on settling issues of small states interests vs. large states, the nature of a chief executive, or even if there should be one, how he would be elected, and how we ended up with the Electoral College system. The book contains many interesting insights into the wr
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May 21, 2010
Patrick
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They used to teach this in the public schools. I can see why todays progressives want to repress it. If you were'nt taught this in school then you it is a must read.
Publishers Weekly Review:
A day-by-day account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia can't yield up much drama or fireworks, or even much sparkling talk, at least as recorded by a few participants, especially James Madison. But in this masterful account, Beeman (Patrick Henry), a noted historian o More...
Publishers Weekly Review:
A day-by-day account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia can't yield up much drama or fireworks, or even much sparkling talk, at least as recorded by a few participants, especially James Madison. But in this masterful account, Beeman (Patrick Henry), a noted historian o More...
Jan 19, 2010
Amy
rated it:
A little dry, but overall, a fascinating look at the "players" and their meeting at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 where they developed the U.S. Constitution.
Some things that struck me as interesting in my reading:
I am not a huge fan of Ben Franklin, but his final speech, urging the delegates to put the need for a harmonious union above their own interests and ideologies, to check their egos at the door, in essence, marked a decisive momen More...
Some things that struck me as interesting in my reading:
I am not a huge fan of Ben Franklin, but his final speech, urging the delegates to put the need for a harmonious union above their own interests and ideologies, to check their egos at the door, in essence, marked a decisive momen More...
Mar 31, 2010
Dick
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With all the talk these days from the "Tea Party" movement about what is in the constituion this book would be great for them to read. To really understand what happen in 1787-89 when these men wrote the most remarkable political document ever written. Beeman focused on this great collection of men and their struggles to create a new kind of goverment. This book is not a textbook it is the drama of creating a new world order.
Sep 15, 2011
Zach
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Highly recommended! Beeman discusses the wide range of positions on each of the topics contained in our Constitution, helping the reader to understand why the resulting language is a compromise between the factions. This approach provides a deep understanding of the nuanced discussions and fragile agreements that began the creation of the system of government we have today.
Dec 28, 2010
Jim
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Good account of the Constitutional Convention. Written in a narrative style. At times a bit of a page turner! If Hollywood ever decided they wanted to make a movie about the creation of the Constitution they could do worse than using this book as the basis. ALso, don't be put off by the title...the author is not afraid to expose the flaws in those involved!!
Mar 16, 2010
Sadie
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I've been wanting to learn more about the creating of our American constitution, but I didn't want a dry book, or one with a lot of biases. This was perfect. He threw in lots of little tidbit information, and did a great job of really helping you put yourself there in the convention room with these amazing - albeit - plain, honest men. Highly recommend!
Nov 29, 2011
John
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Quiet possibly the most comprehensive and well written account of the Constitutional Convention. If you want to know anything about the Constitution (prior to the Bill of Rights), the nature of the debates at the Convention, and an in depth but short biography of all the relevant delegates, this is the book to read.
Jan 06, 2012
Leslie Erin
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Took me a while to get through it, but well worth the read. This book covers in detail the four or so months that it took to get the document hammered out, plus a smattering of the years after and repercussions. What was really fascinating to me is not really the day to day stuff, it is really all about context. Beeman goes into detail about the background of many of the men involved in this arduous process. Their thoughts, motivations, and backgrounds really sucked me in. Not really being a hug
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Feb 12, 2011
Martin
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Very detailed account of the Constitutional Convention. At times it can be difficult reading. After you read this you have to visit the site in Philadelphia and visit the places discussed in the book.
Dec 26, 2011
It's shocking how little I know about this important period in my own country's history. Thank god for this book.
Dec 30, 2010
Lisa
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Extremely readable account of the most important summer in U.S. history.
Jul 10, 2009
Diana
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Although the topic is good, the text seems somewhat longer than truly necessary. The writing style is fair, if not truly engaging. I did enjoy a lot of the information, such as the wrangling over certain details, the facts underlying decisions regarding the Connecticut Compromise, the fugitive slave clause, etc. I was unaware of the arguments surrounding representation in Congress and the nature of the executive as well, which was intriguing. Not a bad read, but somewhat pedantic.
Sep 30, 2011
Great so far. Surprisingly engaging and super-interesting. Bought it after I saw the interview on Jon Stewart, then it arrived and I thought, "What was I thinking?!?" But it's proven to be worth the trouble.
So I significantly slowed down my reading of this book as I picked up novels alongside it, but so glad I pushed through to the end. I learned a lot and feel much more connected to this foundational piece of our nation's history.
So I significantly slowed down my reading of this book as I picked up novels alongside it, but so glad I pushed through to the end. I learned a lot and feel much more connected to this foundational piece of our nation's history.
Dec 23, 2011
Simon
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Finally I finished it and now am caught up on the book club books. It was informative. A couple of interesting points: over half of the delegates had slaves, Rhode Island did not attend, some did not sign, and finally I believe all the Glenn Beck types would have opposed their precious constitution if they were alive then. Oh and there is some uncomfortable parts of the Constitution that conservatives hate like slavery.
Jan 12, 2011
James
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Outstanding account of the behind-the-scenes give and take that forged the US Constitution. This is a must read for all of the politicians and other political activists who try to bolster the credence of their views by affiliating them with the views of the framers of the constitution. More importantly, this is a must read for any citizen who is exposed to such politicians and political activists.
