The Founder's Constitution

To celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, the University of Chicago compiled this massive collection of all the important resources on the principles of the Founding Fathers. As the editors noted, this collection consists of “extracts from the leading works of political theory, history, law, and constitutional argument on which the Framers and their contemporaries drew and which they themselves produced.”

Documentary sources reach to the early 17th century and extend through those Amendments to the Constitution that were adopted by 1835. The editors modestly describe this compilation as “the thoughts, opinions, and arguments of the Founders.” Volumes Two, Three, and Four are devoted to the seven articles of the original Constitution, considered clause by clause. Volume Five covers the Bill of Rights and Amendments XI and XII. Volume One is organized by “major themes,” such as rights and separation of powers. For example, the chapter on federal versus consolidated government contains an introduction and 44 entries. The chapter introductions throughout the first volume are succinct, insightful, and rather well-written. This is a must for any serious student of the Constitution.

There are five volumes in this set and each volume is 8 1/2 x 11 inches in size. There are a total of 3,339 pages in this set. All five volumes in paperback, $59.95.

To order this set call 1-800-326-0996 or e-mail laissezfairebooks@gmail.com.