Our Constitution: The Myth That Binds Us [Paperback]

Eric Black (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813306957 | ISBN-13: 978-0813306957 | Publication Date: March 30, 1988

Is the Constitution a myth? If that question strikes you as blasphemous, you confirm the thesis of this brightly written book, which offers a lively new perspective on an old but timely subject. Eric Black suggests that the Constitution is not at all what we like to think it is—a fixed body of written law that changes incrementally through amendments and court interpretations. Nor is it a road map to equality and justice for all. What is the Constitution, then?Black suggests that it is the holy writ of a national civil religion, in which Americans expect to find the answers to their most troubling questions. It is a mirror that reflects our history, a medium through which each generation turns its values, attitudes, and prejudices into law. Most of all, it is a myth that gains its power from our belief in it.Based on a series of articles written in 1987, this book presents a hypothesis that no historian or legal scholar would have developed. Bringing the irreverence and inquisitiveness of a journalist to the subject, Black has rethought the story of the framing, the addition of the Bill of Rights, and the relationship between our Constitution and our history. The result is a fresh and clear-eyed explanation of how the Constitution has worked and why it still works today.Eric Black has been with the Star Tribune of Minneapolis–St. Paul for ten years as a state reporter, feature writer, and project reporter.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eric Black has been with the Star Tribune of Minneapolis–St. Paul for ten years as a state reporter, feature writer, and project reporter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (March 30, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813306957
• ISBN-13: 978-0813306957
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, Interesting, Pretty Fun, August 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Constitution: The Myth That Binds Us (Paperback)

This is a great little book that recounts the story of how the constitution came about, and how it became the central focus of our 200 year experiment in cooperative living. The "Founders" would be astounded at what their work has wrought, and newspaperman Eric Black has a great, readable, light style, that nevertheless delves deeply into the origins and context of our sacred document. Read it - it's good.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this hand-me-down!!!, October 30, 2010

By 

fed up with junk (Glen Allen, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Constitution: The Myth That Binds Us (Paperback)

This was a very interesting comparison between what the constitution says, and how it is actually applied. It isn't always a flattering picture of America but one that most Americans should at least be aware of. Sort of a national "to thine own self be true" sorta thing. I think this book was on of my little brother's college books. I picked it up one weekend on a whim and didn't put it down til I was done!