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299th out of 768 books
—
1,036 voters
Decision in Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention of 1787
Includes a complete copy of the Constitution.
Fifty-five men met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write a document that would create a country and change a world. Here is a remarkable rendering of that fateful time, told with humanity and humor. "The best popular history of the Constitutional Convention available."--Library Journal
Fifty-five men met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write a document that would create a country and change a world. Here is a remarkable rendering of that fateful time, told with humanity and humor. "The best popular history of the Constitutional Convention available."--Library Journal
Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Published
May 12th 1987
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 12th 1986)
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So far, looks like the actual Constitution may be the most interesting part of this book.
I'm not going to give it much more of my time.
The background on the period talks about how great all the colonists had it because of all the meat they had to eat. Of course there was slavery, but hey, sometimes the families were even kept together.
The drek about Washington was so hackneyed and thick I had to skip the chapter and move on.
Will let you know more depending on how much I can stomach.
Further along...more
I'm not going to give it much more of my time.
The background on the period talks about how great all the colonists had it because of all the meat they had to eat. Of course there was slavery, but hey, sometimes the families were even kept together.
The drek about Washington was so hackneyed and thick I had to skip the chapter and move on.
Will let you know more depending on how much I can stomach.
Further along...more
This book was quite good - it's the sort of thing I should have been reading instead of my high school history textbooks. I even learned something new in the introduction, before the first chapter (although today we tend to be more sympathetic to the farmers who formed Shay's rebellion, apparently almost everyone back then was horrified that they would use armed rebellion to seek redress, even their fellow oppressed farmers). It's fairly easy to read, does a good job of mentioning where informat...more
Aug 08, 2011
Charles Cummings
added it
This book presents the convention on an issue basis rather than chronologically. It is a bit hard to follow what happened on a day to day basis, but the auther correctly points out that many of the problems and debates happened at the same time. The more fascinating part of the book was learning of the massive conflict between the big states and small states, an issue that historically actually had little significance in the USA.
I had to read this for a class and compared to other books I have rad for classes this one was much easier and not as dry. Unless you want to get into the real meat and bones of the making of the constitution, then I wouldn't read it for fun. I actually laughed at the quote on the front of the book: "A fascinating suspense story." So not suspenseful but very helpful for learning about what the times were really like.
In today's political times, our freedoms are slowly being eroded. It's good to know a little constitutional history and how America got our Constitution. The main points: preserve individual history and balance of powers so no one branch exerts too much authority. The current President is by-passing this in unique ways such as the appointment of over 20 czars.
Decision in Philadelphia is a basic account of the Constitutional Convention, nothing more. I didn't enjoy this as much as Catherine Bowen's, "Miracle at Philadelphia" as it seemed so "amateurish". It was a decent account of the events and the arguments but at times it seemed to bounce all over the place. It didn't have any of the well written style found in real historians' writings such as David McCullough, in fact it was mediocre at best. Their analysis to today's events is well balanced but...more
Exceptional and thorough review of the process, bickering, negotiation and compromise that forged one of the most important documents in history. Eye-opening for anyone who already thinks they already know the motives behind its creation.
One of the best and well researched books I've come across. Read it years ago and still use it for references and to frame my political thinking. Once you read it and compare to the politicians of the day...yikes!
This is a great study of the thinking and maneuvering that transpired during the writing of our constitution. Easy to read and understand. Highly recommended for anyone interested in history.
I actually read this book in high school for my 9th grade civics class. I ended up doing my social studies fair project on the concepts from this book ('Our Founding Fathers: Are Their Ideas Still Relevant Today?') and managed to learn a great deal about the creation of the Constitution, as well as the individual founding fathers. It was tough reading for me as a teen (as in boring), but I think that it would definitely be something that I could get into reading about today (maybe because of the...more
A riveting book , cannot recommend it enough to any history buff, especially the ones who seem to know exactly what the founding fathers would have wanted.
Accessible account of the Constitutional Convention, with good character sketches that would have gone miles toward helping me digest the John Marshall book.
Jul 24, 2011
Michael Taylor
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
constitutional-convention-of-1787
A good, well-written survey of the Constitutional Convention. Not the most in-depth study of the Convention, but one of the most accessible for the non-specialist who is interested in not only what happened, but also the personalities of the delegates.
This was read for entertainment and then critically for school. Important insights into the formation of our Country.
Venerates the founding members a bit much and overlooks their financial interests in building a new government.
I enjoyed this read. Though it was historical, it was not boring. A great read and great knowledge.
Amazingly, the same arguments continue..There is indeed nothing new under the sun!
An excellent narrative. The authors provide a reasonably balanced view of the convention in 1787.
The brief diversions into biographical profiles offer interesting insights into the character and goals of those who influenced the lengthy discussions. The reading level is basic, but the authors offer excellent insights into an important American document.
Although not provided in this book, there are several interesting comparisons that the reader can make to today's often confusing forces and de...more
The brief diversions into biographical profiles offer interesting insights into the character and goals of those who influenced the lengthy discussions. The reading level is basic, but the authors offer excellent insights into an important American document.
Although not provided in this book, there are several interesting comparisons that the reader can make to today's often confusing forces and de...more
History,US history
Jun 05, 2011
Rebecca Radnor
marked it as to-read
paperback
Good easy read about the discussions at the constitutional convention. Goes into the details of whether the Senate and House should be proportional or equal by state between the larger states and smaller states, the intent to have a weaker President with Congress having the greater power, and the various compromises made between the states. It rarely quotes directly from Madison's (or others) diaries, which makes it an easier read.
This book was assigned as reading for the Constitutional Convention Reacting to the Past game. It is actually a nice read and not too difficult. It gives biographies for many of the convention members and describes what was happening as the Constitution was being written. A fun read for fun or class.
Not exactly a topic I would find interesting, unless you're looking for a grocery store tabloid take on the designing of the Constitution. This book systematically deglorifies all of the founding fathers of America, making them seem more accessible and less God-like, as many would like you to believe.
If you are not interested in the Constitution, not a book for you. However, it provides great reflection and incite about how the Constitution was draft, and interesting and little known information about the drafters. Great read! High school level and above.
Was a little tough to get through at times, but I thought it was interesting to read about the individuals involved in the Convention, their perspectives, and what they contributed.
I loved it! A fascinating glimpse into the character of the men involved in drafting the Constitution, plus the issues and compromises involved in the finished product.
Behind the scenes insight into the wrangling and deal-making that produced the US Constitution.
May 16, 2013
Gary Margeson
added it
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