Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May - September 1787

This book is particularly valuable for its perspective. Learning about the delegates' personalities and backgrounds was fascinating, and seeing the Convention in the context of the social and political conditions of early America was especially insightful. I also enjoyed seeing the early colonies through the eyes of foreign visitors.

If you're interested in the history of the U.S. Constitution, this book is a must (my condolences to the disgruntled high school students of previous reviews).


Miracle at Philadelphia....most illuminating.   January 9, 1999
Steven K. Szmutko (EWING, NJ USA)
36 out of 39 found this review helpful

I purchased this book over ten years ago and for various reasons, I did not get to read it until last summer. A pleasant surprise! The book places the Constitutional Convention within the context of the times, political and social climate and the beliefs and personalities of those responsible for its creation. Reading this, I developed a flavor for the circumstances which brought about the Constitution. One develops a true appreciation for the ultimate collective wisdom of the founding fathers. The book has been in print for many, many years. If you read it, you'll find out why.


A Classic and Important Book   November 1, 2000
Wayne A. Smith (Wilmington, DE)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

This is the story of the formation of our constitutional govenrment.

Catherine Drinker Bowen's book is a classic that tells how America's founding fathers debated, compromised and struggled to create a permanent system of rebublican government in a world ruled by monarchs and absolutists.

The debates are here, as well as the personalities. The story of how various elements of our governing structure were arrived at is fascinating as well as illuminating to any serious student of the American system. Important debates regarding the nature of the presidency, small state versus large state interests (how we got our Senate), the desirability of direct democracy versus state interests (part of how we got the Electoral College), the finessing of the slave issue -- its all here.

I read this book and was filled with a profound sense of pride and amazement at the story of how the "gentlemen of Philadelphia" were able to navigate such complex issues and arrive at the masterpiece that is our Constitution.

In Bowen's hands, this moving and patriotic story is well told and thoroughly explored. I imagine many of you reading this review have this book on a political science syllabus, but it should be read by any with an interest in our Constitution or our government's history.


Required Reading for Everyone   September 3, 2001
Dana E. Creasy (Bloomsburg, PA United States)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Miracle at Philadelphia - far from being a "young adult" book - is one book which should be on everyone's top ten reading list. The story of what eventually became the Constitutional Convention, although not starting out as such, the book gives unique insight into the men and the minds that framed our Constitution, the first such written document in the world. Along with the Federalist Papers and other selected correspondence between those both in attendance and abroad (such as Adams and Jefferson), Bowen's book gives a clear and concise explanation as to the form of government we enjoy, as well as showing who supported and who opposed the document coming out of the convention.


Nothing yet matches this book!   June 18, 2000
JOSHUA J DIVINE
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

This book is honest, intriguing, well written history. Bowen does an excellent job of mixing patriotism with honest history. This book tells the story and lets the reader/student make decisions about how to regard the subject(s). There is no comparison to this book on the Miracle at Philadelphia!