1783-1789

"The prizewinning author of Founding Brothers and American Sphinx now gives us the unexpected story--brilliantly told--of why the thirteen colonies, having just fought off the imposition of a distant centralized governing power, would decide to subordinate themselves anew. The triumph of the American Revolution was neither an ideological nor political guarantee that the colonies would relinquish their independence and accept the creation of a federal government with power over their individual autonomy. The Quartet is the story of this second American founding and of the men responsible--some familiar, such as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, and some less so, such as Robert Morris and Governeur Morris. It was these men who shaped the contours of American history by diagnosing the systemic dysfunctions created by the Articles of Confederation, manipulating the political process to force a calling of the Constitutional Convention, conspiring to set the agenda in Philadelphia, orchestrating the debate in the state ratifying conventions, and, finally, drafting the Bill of Rights to assure state compliance with the constitutional settlement"--.

Looks at the framing of the United States Constitution and its amendments through such primary source documents as speeches, records of the Constitutional Convention and similar meetings, and the documents themselves.

The author compares the intellectual understanding of the Enlightenment of Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, and shows how the personal experiences and regional cultural traditions of each man shaped his interpretation of that movement and how those ideals played into the birth of the new nation.

This book describes the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788 which played a seminal role in the founding of the new nation and continues to guide and shape modern life in the United States.

Chronicles the life of Gouverneur Morris, discussing his role in the American Revolution, his views on the French Revolution, his beliefs about slavery and democracy, his celebrated love affairs, and other related topics.

Discusses what the U.S. constitution is, how it was created, and why it is important. Written in English and Spanish.

In graphic novel format, tells the story of the debates, disagreements, and compromises that led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Explores the history behind the making of the American Constitution focusing on the personalities and lives of the founders.

Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents; constantly working to make things better for the colonists both before and after independence and he was also a great writer, contributing to both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Examines the Founding Fathers' feelings and thoughts as they entered the Constitutional Convention, emphasizing their limited expectations in the wake of the national crises they faced.