In this very well written book, Professor Maier describes the evolution of colonial thought and political action from protest within an accepted formula of dissent to revolution. She shows how colonial actions were based upon a perceived constitutional pattern articulated by British dissident Whig intellectuals and political publicists. From the end of the Seven Years War to the outbreak of the revolution, she shows the leaders of colonial protest working step by step to maintain what they perceived as the proper relationship between rulers and governed. Their actions greeted usually with incomprehension by British officials and politicians. Eventually, the colonials concluded that revolution was the only remaining option. Maier is particularly interested in the violent and coercive acts of the pre-revolutionary period. She shows nicely that this kind of activity (eg, the Boston Tea Party and similar events) took place within an established tradition of public violence that was usually constrained and sanctioned by community leaders and reflected a public consensus. These type of actions were 'extra-legal' as opposed to 'illegal', and were driven by the sense that the British government had violated a social contract between rulers and governed, thus legitimizing extra-legal action. Maier shows also the irrational elements of the colonial cause. For example, many believed that British actions were part of a conspiracy that included French bribery to obtain a suitable settlement at the end of the Seven Years War. There was also considerable fear of the imposition of Anglican and even Roman Catholic religion. The Quebec Act, granting religous freedom to the francophone inhabitants of Quebec, was regarded perhaps the most threatening of the so-called Intolerable Acts. Readers who have picked up recent surveys of the Revolutionary period such as Middlekauf's The Glorious Cause or Bobrick's recent book will find Maier's arguments familiar. This is because Maier's work is now fundamental to understanding the American Revolution.

As Gordon Wood pointed out in the New York Times, this is a terrific piece of work. It's also an underappreciated piece of work in today's debate over the scope of government. On the one hand we have people like Garry Wills arguing that, since the Framers weren't anarchists, the Constitution supports modern-day Big Government. On the other, we have equally-wacky people on the right arguing that, since the Framers were revolutionaries, Timothy McVeigh is some sort of hero.

In fact, both are equally wrong. As Maier's book points out, the colonial era was not one in which people accepted the 20th Century Weberian notion of the state as holding a monopoly on legitimate violence. Many sorts of "insurrectionary" violence -- of the sort that Gordon Wood calls "out of doors" political action -- were implicitly, and explicitly, recognized as legitimate.

But that's not the same as saying that all violence was okay. In fact, as Maier points out again and again, colonists recognized fundamental limits on the scope, degree, and targets of popular resistance. Violence might be okay, but mostly against property -- and when against individuals, only nonlethal violence in most situations. Maier's book shows a far more sophisticated theory than appears in today's left- and right-wing caricatures of the Framers. It's also wonderfully readable and copiously documented. It should get more attention -- and with luck it will.

Pauline Maier gives an insightful view of several of our most prominent founding fathers. And the parts played by each in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to the part played by the "committee of five" and the Congress as a reviewing and adapting committee itself. She enlightens us on the friendships, political philosophies and philosphical differences of the two most important figures (Jefferson and Adams) . Not to mention giving us a glimpse at their self controlled egos and jealousies as well. Of considerable interest is the overall public or social climate during the drafting of one of our most precious Documents. An understanding I had not had before. I very much enjoyed this book as a reference for further and/or continuing studies of the beginnings of this great Republic of ours and the men who made it possible. In any study of the same the more broad picture one can paint of these men the better one will be able to understand them and their motives. Never relying soley on any one point of view or perspective. But taking in as many as possible. It does not provide the in depth philosophies that Carl Becker provides in his book "The Declaration of Independence". But together they are a formitable start on understanding certain aspects of our Heritage and our founders intentions. When combined with an understanding of the Religious, moral and ethical standards of the time period (those manuals and books which shaped their thought processes) . The desperate straights that a break away philosophy created is brought vividly to life. One can begin to get a clear picture of the magnificent and wonderful event this document represents. Pauline Maier has created a work that should without a doubt be included in any dedicated study of the Birth of our Nation.

Pauline Maier's American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence is an interesting book. Not a conventional narrative history, Maier's book instead demythologizes the Declaration by first placing it in context, and then describing how the modern "myths" came to be. First, she outlines how the idea of "independence" came to be, and then became a colonial imperative. In the second chapter -- the most original -- she recounts numerous colonial "precedents" to the Declaration, to show its lineage. Next, she takes Jefferson's original draft and outlines the magnificent editing which the Continental Congress, acting as a committee of the whole, performed in very short order. She makes very clear that Jefferson was the Declaration's draftsman, not its author. Finally, she describes what subsequent ages have done to the Declaration, culminating in its near "re-birth" in the mind and prose of Abraham Lincoln. While clearly a work of serious scholarship, this general reader found both Maier's writing and argument very accessible (and persuasive).

Maier's award winning book on the drafting of the Declaration of Independence is an important work that every history teacher in America should read. Maier clarifies for the world that the Declaration of Independence was not only the inspiration for our American Democracy but the product of it.

What I found most fascinating was that the Declaration was not the pure work of one man (Jefferson), but a truly collaborative document that drew heavily from the ideas and documents that were emerging from the towns and hamlets within the colonies at that time.

The book teaches the valuable lesson that citizens should not be mere consumers of our democracy, but the creators of it. In the end, Maier proves that the Declaration is not so much a divinely inspired work, but more of a precursor of what has become the product of a free people, the great American experiment that is the United States.

The founders were men of the Enlightenment and the ideas they held led to the greatest advance in the history of civilization: the creation of the United States of America. The vehicles for their earth-changing achievement were two primary documents: The Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the Constitution of 1787.

Every citizen should have a copy of these two documents. As an act of proud affirmation, they should make the effort to understand the ideas they contain. For within these two documents lay the very foundations of freedom in a civil society: the principle of individual rights, representative government, and limited powers.

If there is a child in your life that is important to you-give them this book, and take the time to sit with them and read it. I guarantee you both will be richer for the experience.

Compact, thorough, and informative, the Bantam Classics edition of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States is a great book to have around. For students or anyone wanting to understand the factors that led to the writing of both of these important documents, this edition discusses the reasons that led Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other important politicians in the newly created United States to draw up such charters.

Editor Pauline Maier does a good job of covering the background of events that led to the Declaration and Constitution. Being compact in size, I see this book as being helpful for most high school students or prospective candidates for American citizenship because it can be carried in a pocket, purse, or coat pocket, and can be pulled out whenever necessary. The book's price is also a great incentive to buy a copy, because it won't blow a hole in your budget.

Overall, a great book at a great price!

Every American should know the contents of the The U.S. Constitution and review it annually.

The Constitution defines, empowers, and limits the U.S. government. After the 13 colonies had issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, they needed to write the Constitution in order to define the Government of the United States of America. The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin (81). The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey (26).

Some members of the Constitutional Convention refused to sign the final document because they were fearful of an all-powerful government and wanted a bill of rights added to protect the rights of the people. The states refused to ratify the Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added. Hence the Bill of Rights became the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution in 1789.

The original U.S. Constitution was 6 pages and contained 4,400 words. It is written in plain English to be understood by all Americans. It is the oldest and the shortest written constitution of any government in the world.

Constitution of the United States 1791 (Summary)

Preamble

The Preamble defines those roles and responsibilities that are unique to the Federal Government. Justice, common defense, general welfare and tranquility, and liberty.

Articles

The first 3 articles of the Constitution define the branches of Government:

Article 1 defines the Legislature, also called Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Article 2 defines the powers and duties of the Executive Branch (President), and the rules for impeachment
Article 3 covers the Judicial Power embodied in the Supreme Court, including the definition of treason.
Article 4 covers States rights.
Article 5 describes how the Constitution can be amended.
Article 6 relates to Constitutional supremacy.
Article 7 describes how the Constitution will be approved by the states.

Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) 1791

1 - Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
2 - Militia and the right to keep and bear arms
3 - Housing of soldiers
4 - Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
5 - Due process
6 - Speedy trial
7 - Trial by jury
8 - Cruel and unusual punishment
9 - Rights
10 - Powers not defined
The following Amendments have been added to the Constitution:
11 - Judicial powers (1795)
12 - Election of president and vice-president (1804)
13 - Slavery abolished (1865)
14 - Limits upon states (1868)
15 - Right to vote not limited by race (1870)
16 - Income tax (1913)
17 - Election of senators (1913)
18 - Prohibition of alcohol (1919) [repealed by 21st Amendment (1933)]
19 - Right to vote given to women (1920)
20 - Terms of office of president, vice president, senators, and representatives (1933)
21 - Repeal of Prohibition (Amendment 18) (1933)
22 - Presidency limited to two terms (1951)
23 - Presidential vote in D.C. (1961)
24 - No poll tax (1964)
25 - Presidential disability and succession (1967)
26 - Voting age lowered to 18 (1971)
27 - Congressional pay (proposed in 1789, ratified in 1992)

Check out the U.S. Constitution. You will find it both interesting and informative.