Just a little update on my latest read ...
These kind of books take me forever to read, because I find them stuffed with so much good information that I'm afraid I'll miss something. So I sit there reading with a highlighter in one hand (for quick references back) and a notebook sitting on the end table.
In any case, it's a very interesting read thus far. Still on the Constitution congress (not an official title) of 1787, which was actually supposed to simply tweak the Articles of Confederation but ended up doing so much more.
Irons, the author, does a great job describing the events that led up to the 1787 meeting in Philadelphia. He even goes back to the Body of Liberties, written by Nathanial Ward - a Puritan minister, which used by several of the original colonies as far back as the late 1600s.
You can see how the Puritan ethic was ingrained at that earlier age and formed the basis - both for good and for bad - for both The Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.
Irons also does a good job setting up James Madison's Virginia Plan, which formed a structure on which The Constitution was constructed. Madison's role was crucial. He was the most prepared for the convention; had a plan for promoting his vision (which was definitely a good one); and Madison even took copious notes that allow us to get a feel for what happened way back then.
Irons does an excellent job outlining the issues, debates and compromises that reflected the competing interests of small states-large states, slave states vs. those holding the moral high-ground, Federalists vs. those wanting to preserve stronger states' rights, etc.
You can see how some of the shortcomings in The Constitution occurred and why.
Good stuff ... And I'm only up to page 50!
