Sunday, August 12, 2018

19. Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution 1787-1788, by Pauline Maier

Someone I respect loaned me this book.  I have not been a very serious student of American history, especially this time period, and I probably would not have picked it up on my own.  I found it challenging reading, and I admit to skimming through some of it, but I'm glad I spent the time with it anyway.

The best two sentences are near the end: "American rights and American freedom were not a gift of the country's "founding fathers." They are and have always been a work in progress."

A bunch of rich white guys fought it out, many times for their own self-interest. Many of them had slaves.  Women are still left out. It is amazing how well the constitution has worked out.  I hope it doesn't all fall apart, and I worry about the possibility with that one guy whose name I won't say, and the rise of the so-called right which is so wrong.


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