Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel

World Citizen Comics

by Cynthia Levinson, Sanford Levinson, Ally Shwed (Illustrator)

The latest volume in our World Citizen Comics graphic novel series, Fault Lines in the Constitution teaches readers how this founding document continues to shape modern American society.

In 1787, after 116 days of heated debates and bitter arguments, the United States Constitution was created. This imperfect document set forth America’s guiding principles, but it would also introduce some of today's most contentious political issues—from gerrymandering, to the Electoral College, to presidential impeachment.

With colorful art, compelling discourse, and true stories from America's past and present, Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel sheds light on how today's political struggles have their origins in the decisions of our Founding Fathers.

Children’s book author Cynthia Levinson, constitutional law scholar Sanford Levinson, and artist Ally Shwed deftly illustrate how contemporary problems arose from this founding document—and then they offer possible solutions.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Graphic Novels, Politics, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Historical

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even in graphic novel form, it took me a few days to get through this long and packed history and analysis of the U.S. Constitution. The format kept it from bogging down by taking a look at a modern day problem and following that with a flashback to the debates around the originating issue the Founding Fathers had during the Constitutional Convention in the 1780s. It's full of interesting historical tidbits and offers a decent overview.

Drawbacks:
* It's pretty light on diversity, making only passing mention of the issues of Black, Native, and LGBTQ+ Americans.
* It focuses heavily on the Executive Branch, becoming another of those books that is mostly about what the U.S. President is up to in any given decade.

The authors do court controversy in the final chapter by actually assigning letter grades to how successful the U.S. has been in following through on the promises laid out in the Preamble to the Constitution. I'm sure it's going to earn them quite a lot of hate mail.

[Beth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second graphic novel I’ve read in this World Citizen comics series (the other was Unrig, specifically about US elections). As a student of US government for many, many years, I really appreciate how straight forward and easy to follow so much of this book is. There is an interplay between the framers discussing the constitution in the 1700s and what things look like now. Many of the examples cited were familiar to me, but again, I would say I have greater than average knowledge about the Constitution because of my background.

Different from Sharon McMahon, this book tends to have more bias in its writing than will make it widely appealing. Bias does not mean that the information is not accurate, just that the interpretation leans to one direction instead of another. I appreciate that there are often sections that give examples from different countries for how aspect of government run.

On the whole, I found this informative and the format as a graphic novel helps keep things moving in what could be a dry topic. However, I often found myself feeling discouraged or hopeless about the lack of opportunity for change in our country. Change for the sake of change is not the right answer, but it is clear that the constitution was meant to evolve over time far more than it has. My hope is that a book like this will inform more people (teens and up is really the target audience) about the role of government in our lives and that we will not give in to despair but will work for small, measurable change.

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very timely book. It's not exactly a graphic novel; much more of a text heavily illustrated and at times the simple cartoonishness of the art detracts from the ideas. At times it drags, but I really liked the way the authors discussed the historical context of the framers, the modern consequences of their decisions, and ways in which states and other countries have addressed those issues. The discussion of population representation inequalities and gerrymandering is especially good.

**Thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, despite being written as cartoon drawings, does an excellent job of explaining where our constitution has issues and what other options are used in state and foreign country constitutions. I like that it describes the good and bad both, not being overly critical or overly rhapsodizing about what we have.

[Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book will serve its intended audience well. Middle school students just learning about the United States government will get a fun introduction. Anyone else can use it for a quick refresher. The graphic novel format makes it more digestible for a wider audience than its original prose edition.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jam-packed book filled with information about the Constitution’s beginnings and applications of it in current times. It really helps readers to see how the constitution should be amended for modern-day interpretations.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the graphic novel presentation fool you: This is not for children - or even high schoolers. There is a lot of information here, and much of it is above the heads of the average public school student. However, I learned a lot from this book, and would recommend it to curious adults.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

A VERY good read. This clearly described and elaborated on the holes in the Constitution - and how those can be exploited or lead us to ruin if not handled carefully. Definitely recommended.

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This originally was published in 2017, updated in 2019, and made into a graphic novel in 2020. I’ll just leave this very relevant section from Chapter 19, written before the COVID-19 pandemic:

“In 2017, the CDC adopted rules that followed the federal government to impose national quarantines and prohibit travel from one state to another. In 2018, the Trump administration disbanded the Global Health Security Team, which was in charge of our country’s response in case of a pandemic.

Authorities are likely to get into a free-for-all at the first uncertain sign of an epidemic.”

Everyone needs to read this book.

ETA: My one quibble (Goodreads, you really need half stars) is that New Jersey is constantly referred to as a "small" state. Yes, it is the 47th smallest state...in physical size. It's the 11th most populous state in the country (also number ONE in population density). Population-wise, we're not small, by any means. It's no California, but then NJ is TWENTY-ONE times physically smaller than it. There are only so many people we can fit here while also producing a fair percentage of the US's fruits & vegetables, chemical manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, and more. Included in the NY metropolitan area, we produce 10% of the country's GDP. Just saying.

Mad props for Ally Shwed, who's from Linden, NEW JERSEY! Her illustrations were hilarious and well thought out. Her visuals make you pay attention to what the authors are saying

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fault Lines in the Constitution is a nice balance of fun trivia and thought-provoking commentary about the state of our country in relation to the Constitution. The authors are clearly not big fans of the Constitution in its current form, which might irk some readers - but not this one! I enjoyed the complex discussion of why the Constitution might not hold up 250 years later and how we could make some changes to it that might improve our lives.

Being adapted from a non-illustrated, more scholarly text, Fault Lines in Our Constitution isn't always an easy, breezy read, but I don't think it's intended to be. This is thinkin' stuff! You come out of the book agreeing with some arguments and agreeing less strongly with others. Gerrymandering: bad, bad, bad. The fact that there's not an extremely pin-point accurate line of succession: Eh, not great, I guess.

The book was written pre-COVID, post-Trump, which is definitely apparent in its choice of examples. The chapter about how the Constitution might withstand a pandemic with forced quarantines drew some awkward chuckles from me. If nothing else, Fault Lines in the Constitution has made me excited to read the other books in the World Citizen Comics series.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is long note, but I hope you will read it.
I often recommend books here, most intended for kids. I often point out those that are important reads for adults, too.
I strongly recommend a book for any and every age: Fault Lines in the Constiutution: The graphic book format-
Regardless of your political positions, or insistence that you are NOT political, I urge you to read this. I read the original (by the same author/scholars) and was impressed, informed, but exhausted. This graphic version contains the essentials and examples, but in a much more digestible format. The authors interweave the original processes and intents of the "framers" with various historic events that illustrate the fact that the constitution itself is a framework, not a document set in concrete. 230 years have passed and the stresses of a nation they never could have imagined are important to understand.
We are all living through decisions regarding SUREME COURT choices and decisions, challenges to the VOTE COUNT ANAD PROCESSES, the ELECTORAL COLLEGE process, a PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER, LAME DUCK powers and consequences, and so much more.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this ! It is based on the book by the same name but it highlights issues from the present and what the Founders were thinking when they wrote the constitution. It covers things like gerrymandering, the electoral college, and even pandemics! It was written before this pandemic but it has some very pertinent passages. I think it falls a bit short in dealing with our current president. The humorous tone of the book makes more sense when you understand the history. In 15 years when kids read this book will they understand that Donald Trump was seriously claiming that he’d done nothing wrong? Overall I think the book works very well! Give it to kids who got into American History after Hamilton. I always cite the 9/11 report in graphic novel form as an excellent way to explain history and I think this is another great example.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very timely book which I read during the 2020 election. The illustrations held my interest and helped me understand what the historical framers dealt with as they wrote and applied the Constitution to their times. The book also shows modern day applications in the U.S. today and even how our constitution differs from others in the world.

This is a book that could open discussions about the Constitution in the classroom and make it more clear because of the illustrations. I would have liked a book like this when I was in school because it shows the big picture about the Constitution. This book is a good reference for families and schools. Teachers could present various chapters from this book on a document camera to help explain the Constitution to students, especially to those who are visual learners.

[Lysette H · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The latest volume in our World Citizen Comics graphic novel series, Fault Lines in the Constitution teaches readers how this founding document continues to shape modern American society."

In a time when politicians, citizens, and other partisans have tried to convince the world of the simplicity and beauty of the creation of the constitution and birth of the United States, this book presents in an easy to understand format the true nature of the democracy in the US. While I would not really classify this book as a "comic" the use of images is useful to explain the concepts and move the reader forward. Because some of these concepts are quite complicated, I'm not sure this is truly appropriate for young readers alone, but it can create a useful guide for starting conversations.

[David Schwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the World Citizen's Comic series gives us a quick and fairly deep dive into how the US constitution came about, who wrote it, and the compromises they made. Essentially a bunch of rich white men created the constitution. Some of them were slaveholders, and some were not. The US population was dominated by rural states supporting slavery. Some of the choices they made in the constitution still plague us today. My only complaint about the book is the number of issues tackled, many of which get less treatment than they probably get.

[Tabrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and First Second for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Very informative and educational, just like the original nonfiction book, but this time being told in graphic novel format! Because of this, I feel younger readers, children and teens, will be more engaged with the information and the story that is being told.

[Dylan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the realities of how the US government came to be. Instead of listing bland facts while omitting truths as most history books do, Fault Lines instead provides information in an easily digestible manner, and appropriate for a wide range of ages. I'd definitely recommend this to be read in classrooms as it is infinitely more engaging than a textbook.

[Caleb Lagerwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible, even-handed assessment of the US Constitution and how its original structures led to problems today that can be fixed by amendments or other improvements. The graphic novel approach does much to enhance its accessibility, especially for younger readers in middle or high school civics classes, and yet the prose has depth and breadth.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to be more convinced that we should highly regarded the "original intent" of the Constitution of the United States. Not only does this book remind that the Constitution didn't fall from heaven, but it shows that this human-written document was the product of compromises of compromises of compromises. There were gaps and the framers missed some things.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was interesting, but somewhat depressing. I feel so discouraged with our country and this highlighted a lot of the problems we face.

[Pat Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice presentation. Will grab a person who hates lots of text but wants to learn about an important topic.

[Heather Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was part of our "summer of civics" reading. It was helpful to see why there are holes in the Constitution and how they have been used. It was helpful to think about ways our understandings have changed. I'd love to read an update to this one.

[Tracee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and I love the format!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fault Lines in the Constitution offers a good overview of the main points in the United States Constitution. Most of this should be familiar to anyone with even a passing knowledge of the government but it's good as a refresher. And it's more valuable for pointing out some of the details the framers left out of the document that defines our country.

Some of the details are purely factual. The lack of a true line of succession is an issue that potentially leads to a lack of continuity in government. The lack of a true definition of many terms leaves it up to constant interpretation on such things as when a president is unable to serve or what constitutes an emergency to activate unspecified emergency powers.

Other details can be seen as somewhat partisan. For example, the book says each state having two Senators is flat out unfair. That's based on the fact that less than 50% of the population is represented by 82 Senators, while more than 50% is represented by only 18 Senators. Saying it's a problem that California has only two Senators while a bunch of other states put together have more Senators despite not having the combined population as California can come off leaning toward California. Pointing out how midwest states have a higher representation and thus get favorable treatment doesn't ingratiate you with those states.

The book doesn't really delve as much into the framers as I hoped or expected. There's some flashbacks to the First Constitutional Convention but it's mostly just arguing heads. The author doesn't ponder why some oversights were made, such as the thought that Senators were distributed like they are without the knowledge that a small number of states would eventually hold the majority of the population.

I did like how each chapter was broken down into a synopsis of a key point, a little history, and then an overview of how similar issues are handled in other countries. That said, I didn't always find each section or chapter very substantive. A couple chapters barely have any content at all. I felt like I was learning a lot in the moment, but when I went back to take notes I found surprisingly little to write down.

Ulimately, this wasn't as good as the first World Citizens Comic graphic novel, Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy. That book went way more in depth on its specific voting rights issues, some of which are cursorily covered in this book. I generated way more discussions from Unrig than Fault Lines. I guess I wanted either a call to action like Unrig or more history.

Still, I think this book will serve its intended audience well. Middle school students just learning about the United States government will get a fun introduction. Anyone else can use it for a quick refresher. The graphic novel format makes it more digestible for a wider audience than its original prose edition.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Always Graphic Novel Style; Lacks Objectivity

As an American who has a deep love for our foundational document of law, this graphic novel intrigued me when I saw it at one of my favorite book review sites. By the way, not all of it reads like a traditional graphic novel with panels and dialogue balloons; parts of it are more just an illustrated book. What I was hoping I would get was an objective view of both the history of the Constitution and how it has been used and abused. Unfortunately, this book didn't feel objective at all. Parts certainly strive too hard to be politically correct, and at times show historical figures having modern sensibilities they would not have had, and in other places, the authors definitely weighed in with opinions that could be considered partisan. While I might agree with them, as they appear to be on my side of the aisle, I don't find that appropriate in the book like this. When the book was more objective, I liked how it broke down both how the framers worked through issues that then became law (like bicameralism or the Electoral College) and how the Constitution is a living, breathing document that impacts people's lives through our history and today, even if we don't think of it as directly doing so. I have recently reviewed another book on the Constitution that takes a more objective, balanced approach, and I appreciated that a lot more. Because of the lack of objectivity, I do not feel like I can recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel makes the constitution accessible to more people than the document itself. Being able to apply a centuries-old document to positives and negatives in our present-day is a great way to maintain it's relevance. I plan on sharing this graphic novel with my kids which is sure to spark some interesting conversations.

There is a very distinct partisan lean to the content. Part VIII of the book entitled Keeping Pace With the Times is purely opinion and conjecture. If the aim of this work is to be an accessible and honest history it is no better than the whitewashed history I was given as a teenager.

The graphics are distinctly lacking in representation. People are either white or light blue. Slaves are light blue with no shirts on, Indigenous people are light blue with feathers and buckskin, Asians are apparently white with white hair (see the CA internment camp discussion) or white with black hair.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great learning book for me to enjoy. One would think Americans should know a lot about the Constitution...but I don't really know all that much. Turning a non-fiction book about the history of, and issues with, the Constitution into a graphic novel was quite ingenious. I appreciated the ease of reading and learning about what could be a dry subject.

I had assumptions about possible issues with the document and this book really spelled out the good and the bad. Things really do need to change with the Constitution. Amendments need to be approved, clarifications need to be made, etc... The founding fathers goals were admirable, but so much has changed in the last 200+ years and the document has not. To be a better country, it really needs to.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer on how the Constitution can interfere with modern governance.

Each section starts with a real world example of a problem caused or exasperated by the Constitution, a flashback to what problems our founding fathers intended to address when writing that part, and then ways we have dealt with those problems throughout the history of our country.

I don't think the graphic novel format really helps with the facts presented here, it's still pretty dense and wordy, but worth reading, especially for target audience.

[Mike Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy to understand look at many of the issues Americans have with our Constitution and our government as a whole. Arguments are laid out very clearly and illustrated with examples from different eras in American history that help make the author’s points.

At times it is rather unbiased, but I think many will consider it a bit left leaning (but maybe that’s my interpretation).

I am considering using parts of this to foster discussion with my students in our Constitution unit, but it will take another read to determine the bias before I commit to that.

[Keiry · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is shocking and terrible from the start! I was hoping this book would be informative and suggestive of ways to improve our government within the confines of the constitution, with suggestions for amendments and how that’s done and why, etc. NOPE. This book is 100% anti-constitution. Just scrap it. We’d be better off without it. With no real solution as to what would actually be better.
The constitution isn’t perfect. That’s not news. But it is as close to perfect as any system that has existed where the inhabitants are actually free and have protected rights. Other governments that have followed suit since with their own constitutions haven’t been around long enough to determine whether their systems are viable. The American experiment has been a success is many ways, with the need for change in others.
It’s difficult to pass laws and make things happen. Yes! When this happens, the we all know that the entire nation is on board and we can move forward.
I gave it one star because I had no other choice and it does have some useful information and discussion points.
But their bottom-line, blatant, “the constitution is what is causing America’s problems” is frankly disturbing and should NOT be taught to children.