Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-322) and index.
Contents
pt. 1: "Our case may become desperate". A nation in jeopardy ; America in 1787 ; The mind of James Madison ; The unbelievable George Washington ; Madison plans a government ; Alexander Hamilton and the British model ; The puzzle of Charles Pinckney ; Men, manners, and rules : the Convention begins -- pt. 2: The large states and the small. Roger Sherman and the art of compromise -- William Paterson picks a fight ; The battle joined ; Luther Martin and a lost opportunity ; "The most serious and threatening excitement" -- pt. 3: North and South. A new alliance ; The western lands ; Another trade-off -- pt. 4: The question of power. Balancing act ; Curing the republican disease ; James Wilson, democratic nationalist ; In the shadow of Washington ; Elbridge Gerry's war against the army ; George Mason and the rights of man ; "The most remarkable work."
Summary
Chronicles the making of the United States Constitution and examines the men who created the document.