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The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution Hardcover – September 17, 2019

by Eric Foner (Author)

1,137 ratings

Editors' pick Best History

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From the Pulitzer Prize–winning scholar, a timely history of the constitutional changes that built equality into the nation’s foundation and how those guarantees have been shaken over time.

The Declaration of Independence announced equality as an American ideal, but it took the Civil War and the subsequent adoption of three constitutional amendments to establish that ideal as American law. The Reconstruction amendments abolished slavery, guaranteed all persons due process and equal protection of the law, and equipped black men with the right to vote. They established the principle of birthright citizenship and guaranteed the privileges and immunities of all citizens. The federal government, not the states, was charged with enforcement, reversing the priority of the original Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In grafting the principle of equality onto the Constitution, these revolutionary changes marked the second founding of the United States.

Eric Foner’s compact, insightful history traces the arc of these pivotal amendments from their dramatic origins in pre–Civil War mass meetings of African-American “colored citizens” and in Republican party politics to their virtual nullification in the late nineteenth century. A series of momentous decisions by the Supreme Court narrowed the rights guaranteed in the amendments, while the states actively undermined them. The Jim Crow system was the result. Again today there are serious political challenges to birthright citizenship, voting rights, due process, and equal protection of the law. Like all great works of history, this one informs our understanding of the present as well as the past: knowledge and vigilance are always necessary to secure our basic rights.

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The Second Founding - Eric Foner - An Amazon Best Book of 2019 in History

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Few reading experiences on the history of race in America have been as profound for me as the works of Eric Foner."
― Henry Louis Gates Jr., New York Times

"Eric Foner has done it again: his concise, superbly researched, beautifully written history of the Civil War amendments chronicles a revolution in law and moral sensibility."
― David W. Blight, Yale University, author of the Pulitzer prize–winning Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

"How are voter suppression, mass incarceration, and jeopardy to the American-born children of undocumented immigrants possible in the land of the free? Eric Foner brings his masterful knowledge of Reconstruction to illuminate the transformative constitutional amendments following the Civil War, and powerfully conveys the ongoing struggles over their meaning."
― Martha Minow, 300th Anniversary University Professor, Harvard University, author of In Brown’s Wake: Legacies of America’s Educational Landmark

About the Author

Eric Foner's indelible works include the landmark history, Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution; a bestselling study of Lincoln and slavery, The Fiery Trial, winner of the Pulitzer, Bancroft, and Lincoln Prizes; and an influential history of the Reconstruction amendments, The Second Founding. The DeWitt Clinton Professor Emeritus of History at Columbia University, Foner continues to write frequently for The Nation and other publications.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 17, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393652572
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393652574
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1 x 9.6 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #220,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in U.S.Congresses, Senates & Legislative
- #51 in Constitutions (Books)
- #51 in U.S. Civil War History
Customer Reviews:
1,137 ratings

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Eric Foner

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Eric Foner is DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University, where he earned his B.A. and Ph.D. In his teaching and scholarship, Foner focuses on the Civil War and Reconstruction, slavery, and nineteenth-century America. His "Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877," won the Bancroft, Parkman, and Los Angeles Times Book prizes and remains the standard history of the period. In 2006 Foner received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching at Columbia University. He has served as president of the Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, and the Society of American Historians. He is currently writing a book on Lincoln and slavery.

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Customer reviews

1,137 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book exceptionally well researched and written, with one review highlighting its thorough examination of legal aspects. They appreciate the historian's expertise and consider it a great read for those interested in understanding the topic, with one review specifically praising its comprehensive look at the Reconstruction Amendments. The book offers valuable insights, with one customer noting its relevance to modern racial inequalities, and customers find it fascinating. While many find it readable, one customer describes it as nearly unreadable.

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Insight Research quality Writing quality Historian quality Comprehension Interest History of reconstruction Readable

14 customers mention "Insight"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights, with individual reviews highlighting its depth of knowledge, examination of the amendment process, and exploration of modern racial inequalities.

"...primarily reference sources, although there are a few pieces of useful additional information. A bibliography would have been helpful...." Read more

"...the facts as the facts, and at the same time provide thoughtful reflections/correlations to our present state...." Read more

"...been essentially obliterated, I appreciate his production of evidence to support his position about the retreat from the ideals of found in the 13th..." Read more

"...It is particularly good for an examination of the amendment process and the political maneuvering required to achieve these important milestones...." Read more

7 customers mention "Research quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's thorough research, with one customer highlighting its in-depth historical and legal analyses, while another notes its detailed exploration of origins.

"...Eric Foner's book is exceptionally well researched, extremely well written, and very readable...." Read more

"What an excellent, detailed walk through the origins of our country’s Reconstruction Era amendments...." Read more

"...I am a big fan of Foner’s work. His research is impeccable, his writing is clear and his points are well made...." Read more

"In-depth research of a hugely important topic. I highly recommend." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as extremely well written and a superb work of historical writing.

"...Eric Foner's book is exceptionally well researched, extremely well written, and very readable...." Read more

"A very well written history of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments and the impact, or lack there of, on the advance of equal rights...." Read more

"...Eric Foner writes clearly, with a depth of knowledge, and from an expansive viewpoint on the amendments that sought to address the profound racial..." Read more

"...I am a big fan of Foner’s work. His research is impeccable, his writing is clear and his points are well made...." Read more

5 customers mention "Historian quality"4 positive1 negative

Customers praise the historian's expertise.

"...Eric Foner is a true giant of American historians." Read more

"Foner is a wonderful historian. Knows Reconstruction better than anyone. We all should know much more about this terrible time in American history...." Read more

"...He is an outstanding historian" Read more

"...the two chapters I could muddle through, like fan fiction for the historically illiterate...." Read more

4 customers mention "Comprehension"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand and appreciate it as a great read for those interested in history, with one customer noting it is written by one of the greatest students of that era.

"...A great read for anyone interested in understanding how we collectively got to where we are, and perhaps where we can go from here." Read more

"...While a little dry in parts, this book gives the reader a good understanding of a crucial aspect of our national government and history." Read more

"This is a superb work of historical writing, by one of the greatest students of that era. Another Pulitzer is in order." Read more

"Excellent book for history buffs." Read more

4 customers mention "Interest"3 positive1 negative

Customers find the book fascinating.

"...five stars based on the topic and presentation as an interesting deep dive into a unique, and dark, period of American history had not Eric Foner's..." Read more

"...scholars and academics, but the general reader will find this a fascinating and enlightening work." Read more

"after reading the South was right, this book was boring. This book only talked about race in mores and mores...." Read more

"Interesting book" Read more

3 customers mention "History of reconstruction"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage of the Reconstruction Amendments, with one customer describing it as the foremost authority on the subject.

"A fabulous and timely history. Foner is the foremost authority on Reconstruction and the post Civil War period...." Read more

"Absolutely wonderful look at the Reconstruction Amendments and their impact on America then and now...." Read more

"Excellent History of the Reconstruction Amendments..." Read more

5 customers mention "Readable"3 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the readability of the book.

"...book is exceptionally well researched, extremely well written, and very readable...." Read more

"I couldn't finish this. It is nearly unreadable...." Read more

"Highly informative yet highly readable." Read more

"Book good, text not so good..." Read more

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Brian S.
Superb book by a superb historian
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

The Second Founding is simply outstanding. Eric Foner's book is exceptionally well researched, extremely well written, and very readable. Professor Foner poured his heart into writing the book, and it's rare to see that from any author on any topic.

The Second Founding might be the very best book ever written on the Reconstruction amendments. The historical and legal analyses are wonderful. What's more, I'd much rather get legal analysis from a historian (who did consult several noted constitutional scholars) than a lawyer.

The notes primarily reference sources, although there are a few pieces of useful additional information. A bibliography would have been helpful.

The Second Founding is a very brief book, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Civil War, Reconstruction, or American legal history.

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2 people found this helpful

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Ataa
Know your history, know your future
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
What an excellent, detailed walk through the origins of our country’s Reconstruction Era amendments. This book does its best to present the facts as the facts, and at the same time provide thoughtful reflections/correlations to our present state. A great read for anyone interested in understanding how we collectively got to where we are, and perhaps where we can go from here.

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4 people found this helpful

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Steve De Pangher
Helpful
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
While I can't find myself agreeing with Foner that states' rights have - in theory by the three amendments covered in this interesting book - rightly been essentially obliterated, I appreciate his production of evidence to support his position about the retreat from the ideals of found in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in the 1880s and 1890s and beyond. Eventually, Foner's political persuasions begin to overly clutter his presentation. I would have been better helped to see his point of view if the discussion had remained more historical and less political. Be that as it may, Foner's account is provocative and troubling (in a good sense) as it led me to reconsider my own views of important parts of America's experiment in democracy.

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3 people found this helpful

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Robert C. Smith
A failure of epic proportions
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A fabulous and timely history. Foner is the foremost authority on Reconstruction and the post Civil War period. It is heartbreaking to learn how quickly the promise of ending slavery and ensuring voting rights for African Americans was thwarted by pure politics. To understand how Jim Crow began and how the federal government abdicated its responsibilities to make good on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is a shock. Shame will continue to adhere to our political leaders until they right these centuries-long injustices. No one can fully understand our history and our present political dilemmas until they read this book. Eric Foner is a true giant of American historians.

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7 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
A great book for our time.
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A very well written history of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments and the impact, or lack there of, on the advance of equal rights. It is particularly good for an examination of the amendment process and the political maneuvering required to achieve these important milestones. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a history of Reconstruction.

I’ve now purchased Foner’s earlier book on Reconstruction.

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M. Bailey
Essential to understanding US History
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book would be required reading in my US History class if I had one. Growing up in the 50's and 60's in Oklahoma City, I witnessed first hand segregated busses and other public facilities. My children and grandchildren do not know of that world without reading the historical source of those times.
And the residue is still with us in gerrymandering to isolate and minimize minority districts and the current voter suppression efforts.
The segregationists learned how to concoct election laws targeting blacks but using language that appeared neutral. Now the voter suppression folks are using that same playbook.
My granddaughter should experience going out of town on a school sanctioned overnight trip and having her African-American friend and teammate forced to stay in a "black" hotel!

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39 people found this helpful

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Stephen Zielinski
Racism over law
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Reading Eric Foner’s work on the Reconstruction Era ought to correct any belief a rational student of the texts might have regarding the beneficial consequences of the Civil War and the operations of the post-bellum Supreme Court. Even the Civil War Amendments, which share in the authority that issues from the text of the Constitution of 1787 and the Bill of Rights, were neutralized in practice by a resurgent race politics in the South and by the mindless federalism of the Supreme Court. We live today with their mistakes and crimes, as Foner reminds us in this essential text.

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3 people found this helpful

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Thamster55
Interesting subject (but the author's personal politics overly intrudes)
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I would have rated this five stars based on the topic and presentation as an interesting deep dive into a unique, and dark, period of American history had not Eric Foner's modern progressive ideology made so many appearances. I get it. You really don't like Trump.

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13 people found this helpful

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This book by americas foremost authority on the civil war and reconstruction is remarkable in its analysis of the fourteenth amendment. It is not an easy read but must be read carefully and slowly; unfortunately in my opinion the majority of Americans are lacking in their own understanding of this important period in their history but I highly recommend this book as it sheds light on the current political affairs of the United States.
Knowledge
Reviewed in Canada on February 29, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

To add to my knowledge of American politics

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Amazon Customer
Excellente analyse de la période la Reconstruction.
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Pour compléter des recherches sur cette période historique déterminante mais trop peu analysée.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellente analyse de la période la Reconstruction.

Knowledge

Excellente analyse de la période la Reconstruction.