How can anyone claim to really understand our Constitution without knowing what these critical traditions had to say?—Michael Wallace; Professor of History; John Jay College."A real contribution to the subject of democracy and liberalism."—John Ehrenberg."Does a marvelous job of returning the Constitution to its proper sphere; the product of the rough and tumble of politics."— Malcom M. Feely; author of Judicial Policy Making and the Modern State."The United States Constitution is a provocative book; much needed for overdue rethinking on the Constitution proper and its amendments. By making available "the underside of criticism and protest that has accompanied the Constitution from its inception" the book cuts through a mountainous mass of conventional bombast; one-sided versions and outright fabrications regarding the Constitution. In clarifying what makes the Constitution's clock tick; the book lives up to its subtitle.—Ira Gollobin; National Emergency Civil Rights CommitteeNEVER BEFORE ASSEMBLED IN A SINGLE VOLUME—the major writings on the Constitution from six critical traditions. Here is THE OTHER SIDE in most of the key disputes over the Constitution from 1789 to the present; the side that was barely heard during the recent Bicentennial celebrations. Yet; it was often the popular side; raising many troublesome questions about the nature of American democracy that still remain to be answered. Now that the applause has subsided; every fair- minded person will want to know what these critics of the Constitution have to say about who did; and is still doing; what to whom; and why.Section 1 outlines the main events and problems that led up to and contributed to the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Section 2 concentrates on what actually happened at the convention. Section 3 deals with the two-hundred-year history of interpretations and amendments that followed. Section 4 offers a number of ideas that should prove helpful in constructing the adequate theory of the Constitution that still eludes us.Skillfully woven into one volume the forty contributors include voices as varied as those of Gore Vidal; I.F. Stone; Ralph Nader; E.P. Thompson; Howard Zinn; Sheldon S. Wolin; Joan Hoff; Karl Marx; Jackson Turner Main; Charles A. Beard; and W.E.B. Du Bois joined--perhaps surprisingly--by Woodrow Wilson; Franklin D. Roosevelt; and Thurgood Marshall.
#1027848 in Books NYU Press 2009-04-01 2009-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .68 x 6.00l; .80 #File Name: 0814720374276 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Captivating as well as informative!By Jayme WillsThis was a memorable read for me! Having grown up in Augusta; GA; my paternal grandmother joined the United House of Prayer for all People early in her life and remained a staunch member until her death in 1991 at the age of 92. Saint Andrews occupied an apartment in the rear of the UHOP church in Augusta. She was a mentor of then Elder Bailey (now Bishop and leader of the church).Miss Dallam's book is an on target; well thought out representation of a man who was truly before his time and set the bar in the world of evangelical revivalist type leaders. Grace rarely gets his due for achieving success in organizing the often disenfranchised and building a LASTING church. While some ridicule the UHOP for certain practices; considering the humble beginnings;internal conflicts and other issues affecting organized religions;"The House that Daddy Built" is quite intact. Wether or not you're familiar with the era or the man; you'll come away with a better understanding of both.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating storyBy Merica Saint JohnI had heard of this man but knew nothing of his history. Very interesting and informative. Helpful for anyone studying charismatic leaders of any period in time.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. OBJECTIVE REPORTING AT ITS BEST - A WONDERFUL AND INFORMATIVE BOOKBy Malcolm BarksdaleHats off to Dr. Marie Dallam for producing the most courageous; scholarly; and surprisingly candid expose on Daddy Grace and the lost and scattered sheep for whom he structured a nurturing apparatus. Her book does not have many significant shortcomings and; given the history of reporting on the subject; it certainly is an excellent positive start. The few faults of the book primarily appear in the form of omissions-apparently due to the author's limited access to information (germane personal information); about her subject. However; the Hebrew lineage of the da Graca (Gracias) clan is an issue to which prime treatment could have been given but was not. That is unfortunate - for therein lay the key to knowledge and understanding of the mission; First Testament bent; and evolving Second Testament theology and doctrine followed by Daddy Grace (the celebrity preacher) and his House of Prayer. Overall; Dr. Dallam did a commendable job in writing this book. My hat goes off to her. Malcolm Barksdale
