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America's Constitution: A Biography,New
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In America?s Constitution, one of this era?s most accomplished constitutional law scholars, Akhil Reed Amar, gives the first comprehensive account of one of the world?s great political texts. Incisive, entertaining, and occasionally controversial, this ?biography? of America?s framing document explains not only what the Constitution says but also why the Constitution says it.We all know this much: the Constitution is neither immutable nor perfect. Amar shows us how the story of this one relatively compact document reflects the story of America more generally. (For example, much of the Constitution, including the glorioussounding ?We the People,? was lifted from existing American legal texts, including early state constitutions.) In short, the Constitution was as much a product of its environment as it was a product of its individual creators? inspired genius.Despite the Constitution?s flaws, its role in guiding our republic has been nothing short of amazing. Skillfully placing the document in the context of lateeighteenthcentury American politics, America?s Constitution explains, for instance, whether there is anything in the Constitution that is unamendable; the reason America adopted an electoral college; why a president must be at least thirtyfive years old; and whyfor now, at leastonly those citizens who were born under the American flag can become president.From his unique perspective, Amar also gives us unconventional wisdom about the Constitution and its significance throughout the nation?s history. For one thing, we see that the Constitution has been far more democratic than is conventionally understood. Even though the document was drafted by white landholders, a remarkably large number of citizens (by the standards of 1787) were allowed to vote up or down on it, and the document?s later amendments eventually extended the vote to virtually all Americans.We also learn that the Founders? Constitution was far more slavocratic than many would acknowledge: the ?three fifths? clause gave the South extra political clout for every slave it owned or acquired. As a result, slaveholding Virginians held the presidency all but four of the Republic?s first thirtysix years, and proslavery forces eventually came to dominate much of the federal government prior to Lincoln?s election.Ambitious, evenhanded, eminently accessible, and often surprising, America?s Constitution is an indispensable work, bound to become a standard reference for any student of history and all citizens of the United States.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'America's Constitution: A Biography'? A: 'America's Constitution: A Biography' by Akhil Reed Amar provides a comprehensive account of the U.S. Constitution, exploring both its historical context and significance, as well as examining its flaws and democratic aspects.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'America's Constitution: A Biography' is Akhil Reed Amar, a distinguished constitutional law scholar.
- Q: How many pages does 'America's Constitution: A Biography' have? A: 'America's Constitution: A Biography' contains 672 pages, offering an in-depth exploration of the Constitution.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This edition of 'America's Constitution: A Biography' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: When was 'America's Constitution: A Biography' published? A: 'America's Constitution: A Biography' was published on September 12, 2006.
- Q: Is 'America's Constitution: A Biography' suitable for students? A: Yes, 'America's Constitution: A Biography' is considered a valuable resource for students of history and law, providing accessible insights into the U.S. Constitution.
- Q: What topics does the book cover regarding the Constitution? A: 'America's Constitution: A Biography' covers various topics, including the electoral college, the age requirement for the presidency, and the historical context of the Constitution's amendments.
- Q: Does this book discuss the flaws of the Constitution? A: Yes, Akhil Reed Amar addresses the flaws of the Constitution, including its origins and the implications of clauses like the 'three-fifths' compromise.
- Q: Is there any specific audience that would benefit from this book? A: The book is suitable for a wide audience, including students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the U.S. Constitution.
- Q: What makes 'America's Constitution: A Biography' a unique read? A: 'America's Constitution: A Biography' is unique for its blend of thorough academic analysis and engaging narrative style, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers.