Creating the Constitution: 1787

Concise, but powerful. This book puts the year 1787 in context, explaining the failure of the Articles of Confederation to address the many problems of the new American nation. The two most powerful chapters are "Compromises" detailing the debate over the Constitution and "Principles" which details the ideas written into the Constitution. The "Compromises" chapter makes vivid the most important divisions in the Convention and how they were bridged to reach consensus. The "Principles" chapter rather than listing the Articles and ammendments, instead highlights ideas like unalienable rights, social contract, rule of people, federalism, nationalism, limits on Congressional power, and checks and balances. All these ideas are presented in clear terms that most children 10+ years should understand. Not an easy task! I highly recommend this book for any parent trying to instill American values, history, or government into their own children; or any adult wanting a quick read to refresh their own understanding.