A brilliant solution
Subtitle: inventing the American Constitution
By: Carol Berkin.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Harcourt
Published: 2002
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 310
Subjects: United States. Constitutional Convention; United States. -- Signers; Statesmen -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Constitutional history -- United States; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1789
Description: "We know - and love - the story of the American Revolution, from the Declaration of Independence to Cornwallis's defeat. We forget, though, that the Articles of Confederation and our first attempts at self-government were disasters; the post-revolutionary Confederation slipped quickly into factional bickering and economic crisis.

In 1787, a group of lawyers and politicians, some famous and others just ordinary men, journeyed to Philadelphia, determined to create a more stable framework of government, hoping that it would last long enough to bring an end to the crisis.".

"Delegates to the Constitutional Convention had no great expectations for the document they were fashioning. But somehow, in the amalgam of ideas, argument and compromise, a great thing happened: A constitution and a form of government were created that have served us well.".

"Revealing that the story of that amazing summer in Philadelphia is more complicated and much more interesting than we have imagined, Carol Berkin makes you feel as if you were there, listening to the arguments, getting to know the framers, and appreciating the difficult and critical decisions being made. Using history as a kind of time travel, Berkin takes the reader into the hearts and minds of the founders, explaining their mind-sets, their fears, and their very limited expectations."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Our present federal government is a name, a shadow : the call for a convention; title: Making Mr. Madison wait; title: A gathering of demi-gods; title: How far do you intend to go? : the perils of power; title: I do not trust you, gentlemen : schisms, threats, and compromises; title: Like "a trial of colours to a blind man" : debating the presidency once again; title: I consent, sir, to this constitution because I expect no better : the convention ends; title: The constitution is now before the judgment seat : the battle for ratification; title: This great and good man : the inauguration of President George Washington.