This book is a history of the Federal Convention in Philadelphia that resulted in the Constitution of the United States.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Aaron Jordan
Format: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).
45 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format: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 24 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great book!
I absolutely loved reading this book! It made everything about the Constitution come alive and increased my appreciation for our Founding Fathers. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cheryl Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
I truly enjoyed reading this book when my friend loaned it to me. I decided that I should purchase my own copy to loan to others to read. Very enlightening! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jeanne
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best work EVER on this subject
I read this book some 30 or 40 years ago. This time I purchased it as a gift. I did so because of my recollection of just how good, historically, it was. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Michael Buitekant
4.0 out of 5 stars
I love it
This is a good book that is very informative well worth the read - It gives you good insight on events surrounding the foundations of our country & the set up of it!!!!
Published 4 months ago by Peter M. Knodel
4.0 out of 5 stars
Why I bought: Miracle at Philadelphia.
I gifted this item to my 12 year-old grandson, who is a member of an after school political club at his school in Lexington,Ky. Read more
Published 7 months ago by joe herkness
5.0 out of 5 stars
The book that made a patriot out of me
I read this book in 1987, during the bicentennial of the Constitution. When Bowen described what happened at Philadelphia that year as a miracle, she wasn't being original -- she... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Irvin King
5.0 out of 5 stars
Index Problems with 1966 ed., second printing
I have the Atlantic-Little Brown 1966 edition (2nd printing) of Catherine Drinker Bowen's Miracle at Philadelphia, which I enjoyed immensely a number of years ago. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lee C. Browne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book on the Constitutional Convention
With an emphasis on the constitutional disputes, Miracle at Philadelphia shows how really miraculous it was that the convention came away from Independence Hall with any kind of... Read more
Published 15 months ago by James D. Best
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stand behind our forefathers as they write our history
A truly great book! Recommended by a historian friend of mine - I will cherish my copy for years to come. Highly recommended perspective that is all too often lost. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Leo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprised
I read this as a book club member and so was not too thrilled at the prospect of plowing through what I thought would be singularly boring stuff. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Victoria
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 30
books:
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34
books
cite this book:
See all 34 books citing this book
- Federalist Papers by John Jay on 4 pages
- The Federalist Papers (Signet Classics) by Alexander Hamilton on 4 pages
- The Federalist Papers (Dodo Press) by James Madison on 4 pages
- Rhode Island (Regional Photos) by Richard Benjamin on 4 pages
- The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, Vol. 4 by Max Farrand in Front Matter, page 313, and Back Matter
See all 30 books this book cites
- The Oxford Guide to the United States Government by John J. Patrick on page 46, page 150, and page 161
- Return of the Revolutionaries: The Case for Reincarnation and Soul Groups Reunited by Walter Semkiw on page 378, and Back Matter
- A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution by Carol Berkin in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- A History Of The American Revolution (Da Capo Paperback) by John R. Alden in Back Matter
- Read-draw-remember American History Activities by Jeff Lantos in Copyright
See all 34 books citing this book
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