Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May - September 1787 [Paperback]

Catherine Drinker Bowen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1986

This book is a history of the Federal Convention in Philadelphia that resulted in the Constitution of the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 346 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; 1st edition (September 30, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316103985
• ISBN-13: 978-0316103985
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Constitutions

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic in its Own Right, November 30, 2000

By 

Aaron Jordan (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May - September 1787 (Paperback)

After reading this book, not only do I have a greater respect for our Founding Fathers, but I also understand why Ms. Bowen used the word "Miracle" in her title. It's remarkable to think that our Constitution, which has proven durable over the past two centuries in spite of its flaws, arose out of those intense debates in Philadelphia's sweltering summer.

This book is particularly valuable for its perspective. Learning about the delegates' personalities and backgrounds was fascinating, and seeing the Convention in the context of the social and political conditions of early America was especially insightful. I also enjoyed seeing the early colonies through the eyes of foreign visitors.

If you're interested in the history of the U.S. Constitution, this book is a must (my condolences to the disgruntled high school students of previous reviews).

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miracle at Philadelphia....most illuminating., January 9, 1999

By 

Steven K. Szmutko (EWING, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May - September 1787 (Paperback)

I purchased this book over ten years ago and for various reasons, I did not get to read it until last summer. A pleasant surprise! The book places the Constitutional Convention within the context of the times, political and social climate and the beliefs and personalities of those responsible for its creation. Reading this, I developed a flavor for the circumstances which brought about the Constitution. One develops a true appreciation for the ultimate collective wisdom of the founding fathers. The book has been in print for many, many years. If you read it, you'll find out why.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic and Important Book, November 1, 2000

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May - September 1787 (Paperback)

This is the story of the formation of our constitutional govenrment.

Catherine Drinker Bowen's book is a classic that tells how America's founding fathers debated, compromised and struggled to create a permanent system of rebublican government in a world ruled by monarchs and absolutists.

The debates are here, as well as the personalities. The story of how various elements of our governing structure were arrived at is fascinating as well as illuminating to any serious student of the American system. Important debates regarding the nature of the presidency, small state versus large state interests (how we got our Senate), the desirability of direct democracy versus state interests (part of how we got the Electoral College), the finessing of the slave issue -- its all here.

I read this book and was filled with a profound sense of pride and amazement at the story of how the "gentlemen of Philadelphia" were able to navigate such complex issues and arrive at the masterpiece that is our Constitution.

In Bowen's hands, this moving and patriotic story is well told and thoroughly explored. I imagine many of you reading this review have this book on a political science syllabus, but it should be read by any with an interest in our Constitution or our government's history.