Tempest at Dawn

by James D. Best

Fifty-five men came to Philadelphia May of 1787 with a congressional charter to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead they founded the longest lasting republic in world history. Constituting America Book List and Glenn Beck Book List Tempest at Dawn tells their story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, American History, Amazon, American Revolutionary War, American Revolution

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2009

About the author

James Best is the author of the bestselling Steve Dancy Tales: The Shopkeeper, Leadville, Murder at Thumb Butte, The Return, Jenny's Revenge, Crossing the Animas, and No Peace. His contemporary Best Thrillers series includes The Shut Mouth Society, Deluge, and The Templar Reprisals. Tempest at Dawn is a classic novelization of the United States Constitutional Convention. Principled Action and The Digital Organization are nonfiction books. James has ghost written three books, authored two regular magazine columns, and published numerous journal articles. As a conference speaker, he has made presentations throughout North America and Europe. He is a member of Western Writers of America, Western Literature Association, and the Pacific Beach Surf Club. James enjoys writing, film, surfing, skiing, and watching his grandchildren play sports and cavort.

His blog address and contact information can be found at http://jamesdbest.blogspot.com/

James and his wife Diane live in Omaha, San Diego, and New York City. (Close to all the things he loves except skiing. Invitations to a mountain cabins gladly accepted.)

Reviews

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a historical novel that provides a speculative re-creation of the complex interactions and debates that took place during the writing of the U.S. Constitution in the summer of 1787. The author based his accounts of the debates inside the meeting room on preserved notes taken by James Madison, and the happenings and conversations outside of the meetings are based on other historical sources and the author’s imagining the sorts of subjects that were probably covered based on known information about personalities and preferences.

Negotiating the reduction of powers of the states was difficult enough, but the delegates were especially determined to make sure that their state didn’t loose any more power than any other state. These self interests divided the large population states from the smaller states, the northern states from the southern states who were protective of their allowing slavery, the northern states were concerned of future loss of their power status when future states were formed, and personal egos and conflicts were just as real then as they are now.

I estimate that about one-third of the book's narrative is about debates inside the meeting room, one-third is constitutional talk outside the meeting room, and one-third is made up of activities and conversations unrelated to the constitution. Only readers truly curious about details related to the origin of the constitution will find interest in the debates within the meeting room. Other readers will find that part not so interesting, but the activities outside the meeting room read much the same as most other novels involving well known historical characters.

Of course most of the well known founding fathers were involved, but one with whom I wasn't previously familiar is Roger Sherman from Connecticut. He was instrumental in negotiating the compromise that resulted in the Senate consisting of two senators from each state. Before this arrangement was agreed to the smaller states were refusing to agree to a new constitution. Ironically, after that compromise was reached it was the large states who were questionable about their acceptance.

There were all sorts of other problems to work out. It was frustrating reading about their floundering about to come up with a conclusion because I as a modern reader knew what the correct final solution was going to be. I wished I could go back in time and give them a copy of the final product so they wouldn't need to flail about with all the choices that needed to be made. Their problem was that they were a first. It's true they had the Magna Carta and British law as precedence, but they also had historical examples of failed Republics. They knew what they were doing was historic, but that didn't relieve them of the political intricacies and complications of their own time.

We were very lucky that George Washington was widely accepted as the likely first President. If the nation had been polarized between multiple prospective chief executives they would have not reached an agreement. Their unanimity in imagining the executive office led them into the mistake of having the candidate with the second most electoral votes become the Vice President. That mistake was later corrected by the Twelfth Amendment.

[Estott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit I didn't finish this. Basically this is a reconstruction of the Constitutional Convention in novel form, with some dialogue and narrative added- Adams & Franklin chatting about the food or the accommodations, stuff like that. Decently enough written but ultimately this bored me- in part because the ending is no surprise- they ratify the Constitution.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book! It was so meaty that it took me a month to read. Based on his historical research, James Best wrote this novel about the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia as told by an aging James Madison to an abolitionist writer. Once Madison begins his story, we're taken back to 1787. Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of either James Madison, delegate from Virginia, or Roger Sherman, delegate from Connecticut. Because of the anti-slavery viewpoint of the interviewer, the author (via Madison) shares in great detail the reason the Constitution didn't abolish slavery at that time, giving an amazing look into what had to be done and why time was of the essence. Other than shortening some timelines and attributing a few minor comments to people who weren't the ones to say them (to keep the number of characters down), the story is accurate according to historical documents and the written notes that James Madison took during each session. If you want to understand how the Constitution was written - and stand even more in awe at the beauty of that document - you must read "Tempest at Dawn."

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book started slowly for me, once I got into it, I very much enjoyed it. I've always felt the forefather's were genius's to come up with a contitution to last through the ages. Even though this is a novel, it gives the thought processes of the different delegates including the arguments. I very much enjoyed giving a "face" to these people and the principals of the time. Very interesting.

[Kent Stuver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempest at Dawn was an intriguing treatment of a subject that has interested me for some time. Students do not always get taught about the chaos and disruption that existed during the years immediately following the American Revolution, under the Articles of Confederation. Nor is there a general understanding of the different competing interests that each State brought to the Constitutional Convention.

James Best has added color and intrigue to his depiction of the creation of one of the most influential documents in history, the U.S. Constitution. Best acknowledges in his afterward that he has taken artistic liberty with the subject. So, students shouldn't rely upon Tempest at Dawn for answers to their history tests. Nevertheless, Best brings life to the individuals and procedures that made up the Convention.

In particular, it is interesting to better understand the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing that was necessary to forge the Great Compromise. The interests of the large States versus the small States and the northern States versus the southern States all come to light, along with the roles they played in the compromise. Additionally, it was interesting to see how the strong personalities of George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, and Robert Sherman all played off each other to create what may still be the most innovative form of government in the world.

I was hoping to see more insight into the process of ratification among the different States, along with a more detailed look at how the Federalist Papers came into play. However, that may be a large enough topic to be the subject of a book all on its own.

Overall, Tempest at Dawn would be a good book to recommend to a student who is required to study the Constitutional Convention, in order to create a better understanding of the somewhat dry source material that is presently available for research.

[Michael Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to James Best's masterpiece, Tempest at Dawn, I felt like the 56th delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Using vivid narrative and expressive dialogue, Tempest at Dawn presents all the major issues the Founding Fathers struggled with. More impressive, you get to know the character of the men who created our great nation.

Tempest at Dawn is based primarily on Madison’s notes to the Convention. Mr. Best adds to the story events that happened outside of the State House. It is a true credit to the author that it is difficult to tell where Madison’s notes end and the author’s speculations begin.

Keeping in mind that Tempest at Dawn is historical fiction, it is a must read for anybody who wants to understand the principles and efforts that went into creating the Constitution and struggles to create our nation.

[Sandra Sue]

This was a wonderful book. It puts history in an interesting and easy to read format.

[Tien · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I have to note that I do not read politics books because mostly I just can't get my head around how some things work . And secondly, because the stereotypical Asian in me cannot abide conflict; I cringed, I flinched, I hid under my shell. And that is my reaction to most of this book.

Tempest At Dawn is set in those months where educated influential men gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. The 2 main protagonists are James Madison and Roger Sherman. One with the purist dream of a republic and the other with the will and force to make it workable.

The prologue opens with James Madison being interviewed in his twilight years and yet the story told mostly of Roger Sherman; I found this a little off since Madison is supposed to be the one telling the tale? Nevertheless, I found the characters to be passionate and the setting intriguing. I still can't help but want to just skim through the passages where the characters cross swords (metaphorically, of course) but I read it all to the glorious end.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelized account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia. It creatively presents the efforts by the founding fathers to enact safeguards against the dangers of anarchy, foreign involvement, and civil unrest that threatened the fledgling nation of America. There were even groups of former army officers advocating for a military coup d'état and Shay's rebellion in Massachusetts - an armed uprising against the collection of taxes - was on everyone's minds.

The primary POVs of the book are Roger Sherman, delegate from Connecticut, and James Madison, delegate from Virginia. Sherman is from a non-slavery state (although Massachusetts was the only state to have outlawed slavery completely) and Madison's Virginia, while allowing slavery, had recently prohibited slave-trading. Otherwise, they differ in political philosophy with Sherman, an experienced pragmatic older legislator, wanting to preserve state sovereignty (important to small states), while Madison is a younger intellectual with lofty ideas to create the perfect republic.

I commend the author for taking what could be a dry and boring subject and giving it some personality and life. It was a fascinating way to learn more about the beginnings of our American republic.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Constitutional Struggle

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I haven’t read a lot about the revolutionary war era. But in this story the characters came alive. Washington truly was bigger than life. Madison, Sherman, Hamilton and many others struggled through political intrigues and backroom deals to form the balanced constitution we have today. very interesting reading.

[Jim Pryde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not actually finish this one. It was alright, but turned out to just not be my cup of tea. While the subject matter was interesting, it didn't hold my attention enough to complete it. I may pick it up again, but for now, it needs to come off the "reading" shelf.

[Ed Fultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this was historical fiction and took liberties but what a great read this was. Could not put it down.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! If you like Early American history mied with some really good story telling, this id the book for you! It depicts and humanizes our forefathers during the critical time of the Articles of Confederation. Magnificent!

[Martin Whatwouldthefoundersthink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for folks interested in the constitutional convention. I was surprised at the fact that the book got progressively better and better as you traverse through. I found myself grinning and gripped with emotion at some of the scenes - especially the signing ceremony. The book gave me a huge appreciation for Madison and Sherman. The vignettes were terrific and added color to the story which, despite the author's protestations to the contrary, was pretty accurate historically from what I could tell.

For a more thorough review on WhatWouldTheFoundersThink.com please visit here.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tremendous and 95%+ accurate historical fiction representation of the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. There, in the State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlier, Congress commissioned a federal commission comprised of delegates from 12 states to amend the articles of confederation. The result was the U.S. Constitution and the implementing and revised Articles. James Best brings to life the drama behind the summer convention in rich detail, filling in gaps only where no real records existed. The book culminates with the inauguration of George Washington the following April in Manhattan. A great read!

[Limary Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since we all know how the US Constitution came to be, this book is not about the destination. The lines that fill this book are about the trip throughout the ideas, the discusión, the differences, the alliances and the political game to took 13 colonies to become a nation. I know the author must have a background in history and his sources were trustworthy. He admits to small changes for the sake of drama but, you also know that the entertainment the book gives you comes hand in hand with some creativity that does not steal from the essence of the real story. Excelent alternative for history fans.

[Shana Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and educational

Highly enjoyable book that I found very entertaining and educational at the same time. I learned so much about the founding fathers and the founding of our nation that I wasn't previously aware of. The story was so engaging that I was looking up each character to know more about them as I read. Highly recommend this book.

[Stephan Politzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The triumph of Federalism

This historical novel gives a rare insight to the process of the framing of the Constitution. It gives a very human, not overly idealized portrayal of the Founders. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys good historical fiction.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. I love books, fiction and non-fiction, regarding the founding of our country. I had heard fantastic things about this book and it didn't disappoint!

[Allie_oco]

Free 1.19.12 on Kindle. This could be really interesting. The reviews say it is a HF about the making of the U.S. constitution. I am in.

[Scot Kinnaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictional account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 told through the eyes of it's architect, James Madison. Compelling reading.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Very well written. Felt like I was reading a novel although it was non-fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Edward Rickford · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This review has also been posted to edwardrickford.com and Amazon**

I bought The Tempest at Dawn I don’t even know how long ago. Whenever it was, it was not something I started right away and many months passed before I opened the book. To be honest, I forgot I had it on my Kindle and it wasn’t until I started browsing through my catalog recently that I rediscovered the book. I knew very little about the novel or the author, but I find early US history interesting so I decided to check out the book.

The prologue places the readers in Antebellum Virginia, and we get a vague sense that civil war could erupt but it still feels remote and unlikely. With the first chapter of the book, we jump back about forty years or so and we are soon introduced to the two primary characters in the book, James Madison and Roger Sherman. Having majored in history, I was already vaguely familiar with James Madison, but I can’t say I knew much about Roger Sherman before reading this book. Of the two, Sherman comes across as the more compelling character but Madison’s political philosophy, regarding government structure at least, is more sensible. Who knows, that could just be my own biases at work, though. In any case, both are interesting characters in their own right and the clash between the two makes for compelling reading.

Madison is an erudite optimist who is convinced that history offers the best guidance when it comes to the structuring of government and has spent poring over ancient tomes to discover the best form of government. He considers the Articles of Confederation an abysmal failure and hopes to replace it with a more centralized, more powerful government. Sherman is not altogether convinced that the Articles of Confederation have failed, but he is adept at sensing political currents and quickly realizes he can do more to shape the structure of the next government if he is in the building making suggestions as opposed to lobbing stones from outside the building. While he respects Madison’s intellect, he is far more interested in what people want in the here and now, regardless of whether or not it has worked in the past.

In the interests of not giving away any important plot points, I won’t say who gets the better of the argument, but I think their clash makes for interesting reading because it’s still relevant to modern-day politics. The question of who we can make a deal with and when we can make a deal is fraught with ethical considerations, and the Tempest at Dawn explores these issues with grace and sensitivity. Moreover, I really appreciate that the author did not try to elide the issue of slavery as it relates to the Constitutional Convention. It is worth noting that pretty much every country in the world had slavery at the time of the Constitutional Convention, and the peculiar institution was supremely important in post-Revolution America. Some because they thought it morally abhorrent and wished to abolish it, some because they thought it a benign practice and wished to preserve it. Best does a good job of how explaining how the Founding Fathers grappled with the issue and, ultimately, navigated around the issue during the convention and I’d say he did a great job of threading the needle were it not for the epilogue.

In the epilogue, Best veers dangerously close to lost cause mythology and even dabbles a bit in the faithful servant trope. I concede I probably care about these things more than other readers, but I have other misgivings with the epilogue that are a bit more basic in nature. To me, the primary purpose of an epilogue is to tie up loose ends and/or provide some measure of closure. An epilogue doesn’t need to tie up every single loose end–that would be an especially difficult, perhaps impossible task in many historical novels–but the epilogue can be useful opportunity to tie up the simple ones. One of the simple loose ends in the book is whether or not Madison marries the woman he meets during the Constitutional Convention. The book has over twenty characters and keeping track of everybody gets difficult at a certain point. Yes, readers can control F search in their Kindle or flip through a bunch of pages to see if the woman he briefly talks to during the convention is the same one from the epilogue, but I think that’s an unnecessary hurdle for readers. Moreover, it’s not one that would provide much clarity anyway, since the woman he met had a fairly common name. I personally would have appreciated if Best had been a bit more explicit in the epilogue as it regards the identity of the wife, but it’s an admittedly minor grievance. Despite a weak epilogue, I think there is much to enjoy in The Tempest at Dawn and I recommend the book to anyone interested in American history or political history.

[Leigh Schwartau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book before and had to read it again especially now.
It's a historical fiction about the writing of the Constitution and really well written. It's got all the characters and players who formed the United States.
It's really poignant at this time when Democracy is so fragile. Our founding fathers didn't know what the future would bring but they did the best they could with all the different States bringing what was important to them but knowing if they didn't do this, the country would fall apart. They never knew that a convicted felon would be allowed to run for office. There have been many corrupt politicians in office, but we survived. After reading this book again, I pray that that is true now.
Please read this book to see the struggles our Founding Fathers went through to make it a fair United States, equal to all. Read the Constitution. It was as good as they could make it at the time. I pray the new administration doesn't destroy it. I am scared for our Country and all the people in it. Please remember that we are all in this together.

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't so much a novel as a representation of documented developments through the establishment of the US constitution. While it was a bit of a slow read as a result, I found it interesting to track the twists and turns as measures were proposed, schemed and fought over, retracted, replaced, argued some more, and eventually forged into the document that has come down to us through history. It helped me see checks and balances that have served us well through more than 200 years; compromises that led to fractures and ultimately the Civil War; and some measures that are being tested in today's environment in which politicians and Government officials operate in (and exploit) an environment pushed and pulled by 24/7 news cycles, daily if not hourly social media dramatics, and financial forces at a scale it's hard to think the founders could have ever envisioned.

[Kimberleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Founding Fathers or an American history lover, you'll enjoy this book. If you are a reluctant history student, this may be the book that hooks you. This novelization of the Constitutional Convention breathes life into those who are often viewed as just old names and pictures in a history book. This time in history is often only briefly studied because of the logic and debate. This book will help you gain a greater understanding of what those men went through to craft our government. Every American should read it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dawn of our republic

The book starts out slowly and takes awhile to get into. However, it is worth the effort, giving a fictionalization of the crafting of the U. S. Constitution. The author brings to life the diverse group of mortal men who through political machinations, debates, cleverness, guile, and, most importantly, intelligence and deep thought came together to create this living document unlike any in the world then and now. Anyone who takes this country for granted should read TEMPEST AT DAWN.

[Bradley Boardman]

Although a historical novel, Tempest at Dawn is the historically accurate story of our Republic's Constitutional Convention. And it's quite the page-turner!

James Best has done a brilliant job of bringing the Founders to life for us, enabling us to follow numbers of them through their deliberations and offline conversations as they crafted the Constitution of the United States.

As a grandson of the oft forgotten Roger Sherman of Connecticut, it was gratifying to hear of his prominence in the mix.

I highly recommend Tempest at Dawn!

[Ron & Vicki Burnet]

Enlightening

One can little understand the difficulty and turmoil that accompanied the construction of our Constitution. It was carefully constructed by men who were determined to form a government that would ensure the security, prosperity and unity of their infant nation. What they produced was something new in the history of nations. This book will help you understand what many see as a miracle of Providence

[Bonnie Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempest at Dawn is a fascinating historical book which tells the rocky history of the United States from 1776 to 1789 when Washington was elected as our first president. The book gets a little detailed at times but I for one am happy that some saw the need for change and compromised in writing our Constitution.