In this volume, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Michael Kammen explores the U.S. Constitution's place in the public consciousness and its role as a symbol in American life, from ratification in 1788 to our own time. As he examines what the Constitution has meant to the American people (perceptions and misperceptions, uses and abuses, knowledge and ignorance), Kammen shows that although there are recurrent declarations of reverence most of us neither know nor fully understand our Constitution. How did this gap between ideal ...
Read More
In this volume, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Michael Kammen explores the U.S. Constitution's place in the public consciousness and its role as a symbol in American life, from ratification in 1788 to our own time. As he examines what the Constitution has meant to the American people (perceptions and misperceptions, uses and abuses, knowledge and ignorance), Kammen shows that although there are recurrent declarations of reverence most of us neither know nor fully understand our Constitution. How did this gap between ideal and reality come about? To explain it, Kammen examines the complex and contradictory feelings about the Constitution that emerged during its preparation and that have been with us ever since. He begins with our confusion as to the kind of Union we created, especially with regard to how much sovereignty the states actually surrendered to the central government. This confusion is the source of the constitutional crisis that led to the Civil War and its aftermath. Kammen also describes and analyzes changing perceptions of the differences and similarities between the British and American constitutions; turn-of-the-century debates about states' rights versus national authority; and disagreements about how easy or difficult it ought to be to amend the Constitution. Moving into the twentieth century, he notes the development of a "cult of the Constitution" following World War I, and the conflict over policy issues that persisted despite a shared commitment to the Constitution.
Read Less
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $2.98, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by St. Martin's Press.
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $5.95, very good condition, Sold by isbnbooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Eugene, OR, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by St. Martin's Press.
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $7.65, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by St. Martin's Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $15.92, like new condition, Sold by Bingo Used Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Vancouver, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by New York, New York, U.S.A. : Bedford/st Martins.
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $29.00, new condition, Sold by Redux Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wyoming, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Bedford/st Martins.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Size: 6x1x9; New paperback. An unread/unopened copy. May have VERY minor rubbing and scuffing from shelf wear.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Ships same or next business day!
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $40.57, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Bedford/st Martins.
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $54.41, new condition, Sold by discount_scientific_books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sterling Heights, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by St. Martin's Press.
Add this copy of A Machine That Would Go of Itself: the Constitution in to cart. $81.03, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Bedford/st Martins.