A witty and energetic study of the ideas and passions of the Framers." —<i>New York Times Book Review</i><br /><br />"Bristles with wit and intellectual energy." —<i>Christian Science Monitor</i><br /><br />"A masterpiece. McDonald's status as an interpreter of the Constitution is unequalled magisterial." —<i>National Review</i><br /><br />"Thoroughly impressive. A book that is consistently enlightening and one that, more than any of McDonald's previous works, stands as a monument to his remarkable talents." —<i>William and Mary Quarterly</i><br /><br />"As provocative as it is difficult to put down." —<i>Georgia Historical Quarterly</i><br /><br />"The best single volume on the origins of the Constitution." —<i>Choice</i><br /><br />"An important, comprehensive statement about the most fundamental period in American history. It deals authoritatively with topics no student of America can afford to ignore." —Harvey Mansfield, author of <i>The Spirit of Liberalism</i>