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Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution Audiobook
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(4.00) - 293 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The Constitutional Convention affected nothing less than a revolution in the nature of the American government. Led by James Madison, a small cohort of delegates devised a plan that would radically alter the balance of power between state and national governments, and then sprung that idea on a largely unsuspecting convention. The success of this bold and brilliant strategy was, however, far from assured, and the ultimate outcome of the delegates' labors—the creation of a frame of government that would enable the fragile American union to flourish—turned out to be very different from that which Madison had originally envisioned. In fact, there was very little agreement among the framers about the nature of the government they had just created.
Audiences will come to appreciate the challenges that the Founding Fathers faced in creating a form of government that, while imperfect in many respects, nevertheless approaches, in the words of Benjamin Franklin, "so near to perfection as it does."
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"What a phenomenal summer read, being apropos since the Constitutions was created over the summer of 1787. The book accounts for pretty much a day by day account of what transpired during that historical summer in Philadelphia. It takes the three major contentious issues: Nationalism vs. Federalism, the role of the President, and slavery, and presents a philosophical accounting of all the major players. It brings to light the provincialism of some, and the genius of others, especially James Madison, someone who I wrote off as another historical rampart. What I enjoyed most about this book was that these men divested in these arduous proceedings for months, and were able to come up with a living document that still stays true to this day. These men came from philosophy, not politics. And they stayed true to what the goals were: a more perfect union. An enjoyable book for those who like detailed history."
— Steve (5 out of 5 stars)
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[A] masterful account…. Unlikely to be surpassed.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review -
“Authoritative and readable…Beeman’s work is distinguished by a gently judicious tone that allows us to appreciate, and draw some lessons from, the delicate balances that emerged out of that passion-filled Philadelphia crucible.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Engrossing…This minute-by-minute account introduces us to a world, and time, where everything was at stake.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“This account is now the most authoritative, up-to-date treatment of the Constitutional Convention since Catherine Drinker Bowen’s Miracle at Philadelphia over forty years ago. It’s unlikely to be surpassed.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Beeman eschews the heroic version of the story in favor of a hard-eyed narrative that in no way diminishes the Framers’ achievement…In a motion-by-motion, day-by-day, debate-by-debate fashion, he re-creates the [delegates’] hard bargaining…Masterfully told American history for the scholar and general reader alike.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Plain, Honest Men Listener Reviews
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" I've been wanting to learn more about the creating of our American constitution, but I didn't want a dry book, or one with a lot of biases. This was perfect. He threw in lots of little tidbit information, and did a great job of really helping you put yourself there in the convention room with these amazing - albeit - plain, honest men. Highly recommend! "
— Sadie, 2/15/2014 -
" Should be read by every American; informative and very interesting. "
— Patricia, 1/14/2014 -
" See the interview on The Daily Show, read the book. A nice piece on the writing of the constitution. "
— Wes, 1/3/2014 -
" I can actually enjoy historical documents, what a surprise. "
— Corilla, 12/29/2013 -
" Great story of the nuanced debate among the Founders at the Constitutional Convention, and of the ratification campaign. Beeman captures the time and the mood very well. "
— Rob, 12/23/2013 -
" The book goes into the personalities of the main players, their backgrounds, education, political cronies. It is very interesting to see that the discussion hasn't changed much in over 200 years. "
— Deborah, 12/6/2013 -
" In another reality, I am more substantial, clever and a scholar of the U.S. Constitution. In this reality I am thankful Mr. Beeman is on the job and willing to share his knowledge. "
— Amanda, 11/21/2013 -
" This book was a real eye opener. One can read about the fears, concerns, and hopes of a national government through the eyes of the authors of the Constitution. Long read but fascinating. "
— Terry, 8/14/2013 -
" Ugh, why is it that when we write American History it is so boring. I felt like I was living the Constitution Convention in real time. Well, at least it's good to know that we were screwed up, self interested and disagreeable from the beginning, but at least these guys could get something done. "
— Mary, 3/18/2013 -
" Very detailed account of the Constitutional Convention. At times it can be difficult reading. After you read this you have to visit the site in Philadelphia and visit the places discussed in the book. "
— Martin, 9/23/2012 -
" Spectacular, great narrative, debunks a lot of supposedly known "facts" about the founding fathers. "
— John, 6/3/2012 -
" Pretty interesting but very dry. "
— Edb, 10/2/2011 -
" Extremely readable account of the most important summer in U.S. history. "
— Lisa, 9/10/2011 -
" Awesome! Have you read the Constitution? NO! Then you should! "
— Tom, 5/5/2011 -
" This book was a real eye opener. One can read about the fears, concerns, and hopes of a national government through the eyes of the authors of the Constitution. Long read but fascinating. "
— Terry, 2/26/2011 -
" Very detailed account of the Constitutional Convention. At times it can be difficult reading. After you read this you have to visit the site in Philadelphia and visit the places discussed in the book. "
— Martin, 2/12/2011 -
" Extremely readable account of the most important summer in U.S. history. "
— Lisa, 12/30/2010 -
" Great story of the nuanced debate among the Founders at the Constitutional Convention, and of the ratification campaign. Beeman captures the time and the mood very well. "
— Rob, 3/31/2010 -
" The book goes into the personalities of the main players, their backgrounds, education, political cronies. It is very interesting to see that the discussion hasn't changed much in over 200 years. "
— Deborah, 12/13/2009
About Richard Beeman
Richard Beeman has been on the faculty of the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania for thirty-six years. He is a historian of the American Revolutionary Era and has written several books and numerous articles on aspects of America’s political and constitutional history in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. His fifth book, The Varieties of Political Experience in Eighteenth Century America, is a wide-ranging, interpretive study of the uncertain and confused origins of democracy in America. His other books include Patrick Henry: A Biography, The Evolution of the Southern Backcountry, and The Old Dominion and the New Nation, 1788–1801. Beeman has served as chair of the Department of History and as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also continues to serve as chair of the Program and Exhibits Committee of the Board of Trustees of the National Constitution Center. He earned his MA from the College of William and Mary and his PhD from the University of Chicago.
About Michael Prichard
Michael Prichard is a Los Angeles-based actor who has played several thousand characters during his career, over one hundred of them in theater and film. He is primarily heard as an audiobook narrator, having recorded well over five hundred full-length books. His numerous awards and accolades include an Audie Award for Tears in the Darkness by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M. Norman and six AudioFile Earphones Awards. He was named a Top Ten Golden Voice by SmartMoney magazine. He holds an MFA in theater from the University of Southern California.