Ported by request
An old political friend of mine – whom I describe after the jump – has written a book on the 1780s, the decade that led from victory in the Revolutionary War to the enactment of the Constitution. It’s called Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution; I think it’s brilliant. Given that it’s by an old friend, you shouldn’t take my word for it; consider instead that it was up for a National Book Award last month and is now ranked #6111 at Amazon.
I have rarely seen a more perfect book for netroots bloggers, who are among today’s Unruly Americans. It focuses on the period between victory in the Revolutionary War and ratification of the Constitution. It argues that what we love about the Constitution – primarily the Bill of Rights – derives not so much from the political philosophy of the great and familiar Framers of the document, but from the common men of the time who refused to bend to them unless their interests were secured. On reading it, you will recognize the arguments and passions of their day, which echo into ours.
(More below.)