The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison

by James Madison, Edward J. Larson, Michael P. Winship

In 1787, the American union was in disarray. The incompatible demands of the separate states threatened its existence; some states were even in danger of turning into the kind of tyranny they had so recently deposed. A truly national government was needed, one that could raise money, regulate commerce, and defend the states against foreign threats–without becoming as overbearing as England. So thirty-six-year-old James Madison believed. That summer, the Virginian was instrumental in organizing the Constitutional Convention, in which one of the world’s greatest documents would be debated, created, and signed. Inspired by a sense of history in the making, he kept the most extensive notes of any attendee.Now two esteemed scholars have made these minutes accessible to everyone. Presented with modern punctuation and spelling, judicious cuts, and helpful notes–plus fascinating background information on every delegate and an overview of the tumultuous times–here is the great drama of how the Constitution came to be, from the opening statements to the final votes. This Modern Library Paperback Classic also includes an Introduction and appendices from the authors.

Genres: History, American History, Law, American Revolution, Nonfiction, Politics

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2005

About the author

For James Madison, Episcopal Bishop and president of the College of William & Mary, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show....

James Madison, Jr. was an American politician and the fourth President of the United States (1809–1817), and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Madison was the last founding father to die. Considered to be the "Father of the Constitution", he was the principal author of the document. In 1788, he wrote over a third of the Federalist Papers, still the most influential commentary on the Constitution. As a leader in the first Congresses, he drafted many basic laws and was responsible for the first ten amendments to the Constitution (said to be based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights), and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights". As a political theorist, Madison's most distinctive belief was that the new republic needed checks and balances to limit the powers of special interests, which Madison called factions. He believed very strongly that the new nation should fight against aristocracy and corruption and was deeply committed to creating mechanisms that would ensure republicanism in the United States.

As leader in the House of Representatives, Madison worked closely with President George Washington to organize the new federal government. Breaking with Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton in 1791, Madison and Thomas Jefferson organized what they called the republican party (later called the Democratic-Republican Party) in opposition to key policies of the Federalists, especially the national bank and the Jay Treaty. He secretly co-authored, along with Thomas Jefferson, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in 1798 to protest the Alien and Sedition Acts.

As Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809), Madison supervised the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation's size, and sponsored the ill-fated Embargo Act of 1807. As president, he led the nation into the War of 1812 against Great Britain in order to protect the United States' economic rights. That conflict began poorly as Americans suffered defeat after defeat by smaller forces, but ended on a high note in 1815, with the Treaty of Ghent, after which a new spirit of nationalism swept the country. During and after the war, Madison reversed many of his positions. By 1815, he supported the creation of the second National Bank, a strong military, and a high tariff to protect the new factories opened during the war.

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read the thoughts of the delegates in their own words once you get comfortable with the 18th century language

[Alison Zoccola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides fascinating and necessary insight into the vast amount of thinking that went into crafting the U.S. Constitution, and the debates in James Madison's notes still resonate today in ways that are at once excitingly and eerily relevant to our own times. It is almost literary in its structure, and you can imagine Hamilton, Madison, and others being "in the room where it happens" even as a tragic sense of fatalism pervades all the discussions of slavery. In short, if you want to better understand the Constitution, don't listen to the pundits, but read this and the Federalist Papers instead, and think for yourself while you do it. That you do so is always vital to maintaining this country's ostensibly democratic tradition.

[Bonnie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The creation of the US constitution

James Madison's notes from the constitutional convention provide insights into the issues of the day. Much of the discussion involved slavery, which almost prevented the creation of a federal government. Whether slaves were people or property was not resolved. Also interesting was the skeptical view of the people's ability to choose good leaders or in stead be swayed by a demagog.

[Dallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This edited edition does a terrific job of highlighting the key debates from the convention. The narrative moves along quite quickly and it’s fairly short. It was especially useful to me as it gave me ideas for my class. I have read some books about the constitutional convention, but reading Madison’s actual notes provides a much more vivid perspective.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is merely a recitation of debates with absolutely no analysis. It lacks depth in many ways. This book teaches nothing beyond a basic high school U.S. History class.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Constitution arose out of conflict, compromise, and challenges of forming a new nation. We are still in that debate today.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. If you're interested in the constitution and want a better understanding of the process behind its creation, this is a good place to start.

[John L Colbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential for any Constitutional scholar or citizen that wants to know the true origins of the United States.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting examination of the creation of the Constitution from a first person account of the deliberation process. It's like you're in the room where it happened!

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for american revolution class

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really interesting. I put in several tabs of things I want to add to my notes at school. (I'm also glad to have read the abridged version instead of the full thing.) :)

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good good good! Interesting to hear the viewpoints of each of the framers for my constitutional history class

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for every America citizen. The part where the delegates argued about the office of the President in front of George Washington - who they all knew would be the first to hold the office - was especially juicy. I also found it interesting that at one point Ben Franklin recommended that they open the convention each day with prayer. He thought this would minimize the bickering and keep them all focused on finding common ground through the guidance of God.

"Let it not be said that direct taxation is to be proportioned to representation. It is idle to suppose that the general government can stretch its hand directly into the pockets of the people scattered over so vast a country.” Gouverneur Morris, Pennsylvania