The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in the Same Book (v. 1 & 2) [Hardcover]

James Madison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1987 | ISBN-10: 0879753889 | ISBN-13: 978-0879753887 | Edition: 1St Edition

This edition contains James Madison's entire narrative of the stirring historic debates that led to the creation of one of the free world's most respected documents: the Constitution of the United States. Madison's clear and precise account of the historic summer of 1787 is the primary record of the events that established the United States government, its division of power, and ultimately the character of American democracy. "The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787" includes Madison's notes and remarks and other requisite data for interpreting the events of that historic year. The work is divided into two parts: 'Antecedents of the Federal Convention of 1787', which presents the complete text of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, and 'The Federal Convention of 1787', a day-by-day description of the debates surrounding the formation of the Constitution. With a preface by University of Richmond historian Robert Alley, this landmark work is absolutely indispensable for historians, scholars, and all those who treasure America's heritage.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 677 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; 1St Edition edition (March 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879753889
• ISBN-13: 978-0879753887
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars James Madison: Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 #1, July 10, 2002

By 

Joe Zika "Khemprof" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in the Same Book (v. 1 & 2) (Hardcover)

James Madison: Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume One as reported by James Madison, who was a delegate from the State of Virginia, covers the constitutional debate from its start in May 1787 where the main body of the House of Delegates was to meet on the fourteenth, but as usual the delegates were convened on May 25, 1787, to the adjournmnt on July 6, 1787.

This volume is very interesting as it is the way things were preceived by Madison. Madison was not the only delegate to take notes of this convention, but his notes are the most complete by far. Reading these notes gives the reader a sense of being there and participating... albeit distant and by proxy, nevertheless you still get the feeling that you are there.

As Madison gives the reader, in his notes, who was at each debate and discussion, and what was being discussed and debated. Not only that, but this first volume has been divided into two parts. Part One has the Antecedents of the Federal Convention of 1787... in it are the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the List of Delegates Appointed by States Represented in the Federal Convention.

Part Two is the Federal Convention of 1787 itself conclusive till the adjournment. Madison's Preface... a sketch never finished nor applied; and the debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution of the United States of America.

Interestingly enough, in Madison's preface we see Madison's library of thought taking hold and his sense of history, as he writes of the necessity of political confederacies, Meeting of colonial deputies at Albany in 1754, Congress in 1774, of 1775, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Franklin's plan, and the difficulties in the way of a confederation. Reading this first volume, puts things in perspective as to the magnitude and gravity of the time, and most importantly why there was a need for a constitution.

For all those interested in the Constitution of the United States, reading this nuts and bolts debate will give all a better appreciation for the people who found it necessary to give posterity a workable fair government.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the Best - done by robot, January 20, 2011

By 

For Freedom - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America (Paperback)

The book was printed from the original using OCR software that wasn't able to distinguish some words, so they end up as "Bach" instead of "each" or "M? Madison" instead of "MR Madison". Add this to Madison's capitalization, spelling, abbreviatiations of words and figures and punctuation, and it makes for a very frustrating read which only the most determined would pursue. In addition, the pages numbers don't match the index! That's probably the worst part. These difficulties are partially redeemed by the inclusion of a free digital copy of the original document which is more clear and very helpful for word searches. I should have been prepared for all this because it is in the preview, but it is in tiny print on the second page under "how we made this book for you".

In fact, you can access the book for free online.

I'm very disappointed. It's a very valuable book which should be done better and made available to be studied in schools.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cover mistake, February 7, 2009

By 

Richard C. Worf - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787: Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America (Paperback)

This is an excellent edition of the debates, and receives four instead of five stars only because the cover contains an embarrassing mistake. It depicts John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin editing a draft of the Declaration of Independence: an event that occurred eleven years before the Constitutional Convention. In fact, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were in Europe at the time of the Constitutional Convention.

The publisher has not responded to efforts to change the cover.