Ratification Audiobook By Pauline Maier cover art

Ratification

The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788

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Ratification

By: Pauline Maier
Narrated by: Johnny Heller
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When the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia adjourned late in the summer of 1787, the delegates returned to their states to report on the new Constitution, which had to be ratified by specially elected conventions in at least nine states. Pauline Maier recounts the dramatic events of the ensuing debate in homes, taverns, and convention halls, drawing generously on the speeches and letters of founding fathers, both familiar and forgotten, on all sides.

This is the first narrative history in decades of the ratification debate, with all its significance, and it draws on new scholarship about the ratification process. In Maier's skillful hands, this fascinating yet often overlooked episode in the nation's history comes to life as never before.

©2010 Pauline Maier (P)2010 Tantor Americas Constitutions Political Science Politics & Government Revolution & Founding United States US Constitution Founding Fathers Taxation

Critic reviews

"Ripostes from proponents, the Federalists, animate the great detail Maier provides, as does her recounting how one state convention’s verdict affected another’s. Displaying the grudging grassroots blessing the Constitution originally received, Maier eruditely yet accessibly revives a neglected but critical passage in American history." ( Booklist)
Detailed Historical Account • Insightful State Ratification • Good Narrator • Comprehensive Ratification Process
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Probably one of the best books on early America. Must read for those interested in the roots of the American Constitution.

Excellent!!

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Seemed like the book was 50 hours long. The author goes into minutiae that’s common between the different states’ ratification conventions. I stopped listening with about 4 hours left.

Interesting, but laborious

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The level of detail, tracing records, and creating a sense of wonder on what will happen next within a historical fact on an outcome already decided. Wonderful!

Learned what I should have known

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Dense and detailed, but worth the time. You will understand so much more about the nature of the Founding than you would have imagined possible.

A must for true comprehension of the Constitution

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This is a well-researched and fairly balanced account of the ratification of the US Constitution. It's just fascinating to hear about the passions, the corruption, and the different social and political groups that all played a role in ratification. It's fascinating to hear about the state-by-state differences in both federalists and "anti-federalists," with Massachusetts' Constitution skeptics being so very, very different from, say Pennsylvania's. It's well written, and nods to the ways historical context led to the different debates, and even the different forms of corruption. Really, it's just amazing.

The narrator is pretty good, though he did slip into a bizarre southern accent while portraying uneducated New Englanders.

Interesting and enjoyable

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What made the experience of listening to Ratification the most enjoyable?

The logical history based on diaries, newspapers, and meeting minutes. This is a fantastic view of life in 18th century. It is a must read for constitutional history buffs.

eye openning history

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The way the book is divided into chapters, and the way the audiobook is divided into chapters, are inconsistent. Would be much better if each of the audio chapters corresponded to a particular chapter in the text.

Great but Chapter distribution in the audio recording is weird

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This book would be recommended for those with a great curiosity into the circumstances behind the otherwise largely untold history of the ratification of Constitution. Other less motivated casual listeners might not have their attention held by this lengthy book. Highly recommended if you are interested in this topic.

Great for History

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I am struggling to keep listening ,interesting but the narrator pauses at sentences and drops voice at ends. very annoying. May stop and return book bc of it. Such a shame.

interesting narration made it almost unbearable

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Great narrative. An in depth look at a pivotal and often overlooked time in the creation of the United States.

Immensely interesting

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