Forrest McDonald was Distinguished Research Professor of History at the University of Alabama and author of sixteen books, including Pulitzer Prize finalist Novus Ordo Seclorum: The Intellectual Origins of the Constitution and The American Presidency. He was named by the NEH as the sixteenth Jefferson Lecturer, the nation’s highest honor in the humanities.

A witty and energetic study of the ideas and passions of the Framers." —New York Times Book Review"Bristles with wit and intellectual energy." —Christian Science Monitor"A masterpiece. McDonald's status as an interpreter of the Constitution is unequalled magisterial." —National Review"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." —William and Mary Quarterly"As provocative as it is difficult to put down." —Georgia Historical Quarterly"The best single volume on the origins of the Constitution." —Choice"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 The Spirit of Liberalism

Forrest McDonald was Distinguished Research Professor of History at the University of Alabama and author of sixteen books, including Pulitzer Prize finalist Novus Ordo Seclorum: The Intellectual Origins of the Constitution and The American Presidency. He was named by the NEH as the sixteenth Jefferson Lecturer, the nation’s highest honor in the humanities.

A witty and energetic study of the ideas and passions of the Framers." —New York Times Book Review"Bristles with wit and intellectual energy." —Christian Science Monitor"A masterpiece. McDonald's status as an interpreter of the Constitution is unequalled magisterial." —National Review"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." —William and Mary Quarterly"As provocative as it is difficult to put down." —Georgia Historical Quarterly"The best single volume on the origins of the Constitution." —Choice"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 The Spirit of Liberalism

Forrest McDonald was Distinguished Research Professor of History at the University of Alabama and author of sixteen books, including Pulitzer Prize finalist Novus Ordo Seclorum: The Intellectual Origins of the Constitution and The American Presidency. He was named by the NEH as the sixteenth Jefferson Lecturer, the nation’s highest honor in the humanities.

A witty and energetic study of the ideas and passions of the Framers." —New York Times Book Review"Bristles with wit and intellectual energy." —Christian Science Monitor"A masterpiece. McDonald's status as an interpreter of the Constitution is unequalled magisterial." —National Review"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." —William and Mary Quarterly"As provocative as it is difficult to put down." —Georgia Historical Quarterly"The best single volume on the origins of the Constitution." —Choice"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 The Spirit of Liberalism