The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation [Hardcover]

Jonathan Hennessey (Author), Aaron McConnell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2008

Our leaders swear to uphold it, our military to defend it. It is the blueprint for the shape and function of government itself and what defines Americans as Americans. But how many of us truly know our Constitution?

The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into our nation’s cornerstone principles. Simply put, it is the most enjoyable and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.

What revolutionary ideas made the Constitution’s authors dare to cast off centuries of rule by kings and queens? Why do we have an electoral college rather than a popular vote for president and vice president? How did a document that once sanctioned slavery, denied voting rights to women, and turned a blind eye to state governments running roughshod over the liberties of minorities transform into a bulwark of protection for all?

The United States Constitution answers all of these questions. Sure to surprise, challenge, and provoke, it is hands down the most memorable introduction to America’s founding document.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Take a look at the Constitution as you've never seen it before in The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation. Writer Jonathan Hennessey and illustrator Aaron McConnell describe the creation of Article I with vibrant, detailed graphics and captions that are surprisingly informative. Each image below links to a larger view of the page [PDF].

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--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Writer Hennessey and artist McConnell undertake the imposing task of going through the entire U. S. Constitution, article by article, amendment by amendment, explaining their meaning and implications—in comics format. Avoiding the didactic, the book succeeds in being both consistently entertaining and illuminating. The illustrations are sometimes predictable: as the text describes King George III wrestling with the rebellion, the art shows him arm wrestling a colonist. More often, in the editorial cartoon tradition, McConnell's art ranges inventively through different styles and devices, from realistic depictions of historic personages to symbolic figures (the president as a man with the White House as his head) and even talking birds and parodic superheroes. Hennessey is particularly good at exploring the historical context in which various elements of the Constitution originated, such as the excesses of European monarchies. He also chronicles the dark side of constitutional history, notably how long it allowed slavery to remain legal. While the book depicts the framers of the Constitution as practical men, readers will also be impressed by the framers' vision in devising a system that has endured for two centuries, and it's a fine introduction to U.S. legal history. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hill and Wang; 1st edition (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809094878
• ISBN-13: 978-0809094875
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #741,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific introduction (or refresher) to our nation's ruling document, October 16, 2008

By 

Cheesy Reading (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation (Paperback)

Every American should read this book! It really does an amazing job of presenting every element of the Constitution - from the history of the Revolution to the debates over the various articles and amendments - with clarity while never seeming to talk down to its audience. Hennessey and McConnell do a terrific job of explaining some of the Constitution's more complicated concepts (Electoral College, anyone?) while even managing to make it fun. I would recommend this for anyone from high school age up, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who craves a better understanding of why our government structures sometimes seem so wacky.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can you see our Founding Document?, October 25, 2008

By 

James Hiller (Beaverton, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation (Paperback)

So many people nowadays talk about the Constitution, its provisions and its history. I wonder how many of them actually read it, and even more so, understand it. Bringing the Constitution to the American Masses, Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell have done so in a fairly unique and inspiring way: threw the form of a graphic novel.

Part Constitutional primer and part history, The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation is a pleasant meandering through the visionary paper that founded our government. Hennessey and McConnell's job is not easy; taking this document and making it accurate, relevant, and real to today's audiences, with a sense of whimsy that graphic novel allows, is quite the balancing act. They accomplish this with a smart blend of historical information, interpretation, and graphics that illustrate, sometimes fantastically, the concepts they discuss. For example, in discussing the role of the judiciary, the character walks around with a Supreme Court building head. Odd, but appropriate.

They managed to squeeze in most major cases that the Supreme Court has ruled on in its years of existance; from Marbury to Roe V. Wade, especially as they amplify parts of the Constitution (whether you agree with that amplification or not). Placement is accurate, and iluminates their points well. (One would think that someone could pass this book on to a certain VP nominee, and get her up-to-date on some of the most major cases!).

One drawback to the book I found is the general failure to list the actual parts of the Constitution it was discussing, especially in the realm of the amendments. I often was sent scurrying to my iPhone (to which I've downloaded a free Constitutional app!) to read the actual language of the provision, article or amendment. The lack of the words baffles me. Would it have been that difficult to insert them?

Still, I loved this book. It's a quick read, enjoyable, and catches you quickly up on the document that everyone claims to know, but few do. I highly recommend this book for your own reading pleasure. It's unique, accessible, and very, very informative!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The United States Constitution, A Graphic Adaptation, October 20, 2008

By 

Suzie Q - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation (Paperback)

A well researched book about the United States Constitution. In today's world with so many questions regarding rights of citizens and branches of our government, this is very helpful in better understanding the basis of our Constitution and the reasoning behind its writing. This would be an excellent textbook for high schools to encourage students to develop a sincere interest in our government and how it works. I stongly recommend this book to those who wish to broaden their knowledge of the United States Constitution.