The Constitution of the United States of America and Other Important American Documents

by Various

Ratified in 1788 as the supreme law of the land, the Constitution of the United States of America is the single most important document in American history. The essential American documents collected in this volume span four centuries and include, in addition to the Constitution and its amendments, the Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty” speech, George Washington’s farewell address, Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience,” America’s declaration of war following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and numerous presidential inaugural addresses.

This special edition features an elegantly designed cover and a durable flexible binding. It is an indispensable addition to any home history library.

Genres: Nonfiction

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

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Reviews

[Anthony Mannuzza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection was good for a crash course into the United States's history. There is little context for the documents collected, so it is often difficult to understand the content and its historical relevance. Still, it's an informative read for someone who hasn't looked much into this nation's past.

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's exactly what it says on the tin, with a very nice cover and great printing job. Very helpful as a reference tool when writing on American history, and a nice selection of texts from the signatory figures of the Constitution.

However, the selection of texts chosen in the sections "The Birth of a Nation" (unfortunately apt title) and "From Sea to Shining Sea" engage heavily in genocide legitimization and denial, as well as presenting westward expansion as a result of agreements with American Indians.

Even if the texts that deny/ justify genocide are profoundly important in understanding the psyche of the American ruling class, the lack of any notation of their inaccuracies is concerning.

[Antonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely bound and typeset edition, with few typos, and great value. Very much in the Whig history mode, the texts are presented with almost no context and end up verging on genocide whitewashing and denialism. Crucial texts, like Jefferson's Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom - possibly the most important Anglophone document in the canon of constitutional government - are missing. Still, a useful reference edition for those texts it does include.