America's Constitution: A Biography
Language: English
Published by Random House, New York, NY, 2005
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: Montana Book Company, Fond du Lac, WI, U.S.A.Montana Book Company
AbeBooks seller since June 6, 2002
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 6.91
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
657 pp. Tightly bound. Spine not compromised. Text is free of markings. No ownership markings. Remainder mark bottom fore-edge.
Seller Inventory # 081434
- Title
- America's Constitution: A Biography
- Author
- Amar, Akhil Reed
- Publisher
- Random House, New York, NY
- Publication year
- 2005
- Condition
- Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1400062624
- ISBN 13
- 9781400062621
- Dimensions
- 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall
We all know this much: the Constitution is neither immutable nor perfect. Amar shows us how the story of this one relatively compact document reflects the story of America more generally. (For example, much of the Constitution, including the glorious-sounding “We the People,” was lifted from existing American legal texts, including early state constitutions.) In short, the Constitution was as much a product of its environment as it was a product of its individual creators’ inspired genius.
Despite the Constitution’s flaws, its role in guiding our republic has been nothing short of amazing. Skillfully placing the document in the context of late-eighteenth-century American politics, America’s Constitution explains, for instance, whether there is anything in the Constitution that is unamendable; the reason America adopted an electoral college; why a president must be at least thirty-five years old; and why–for now, at least–only those citizens who were born under the American flag can become president.
From his unique perspective, Amar also gives us unconventional wisdom about the Constitution and its significance throughout the nation’s history. For one thing, we see that the Constitution has been far more democratic than is conventionally understood. Even though the document was drafted by white landholders, a remarkably large number of citizens (by the standards of 1787) were allowed to vote up or down on it, and the document’s later amendments eventually extended the vote to virtually all Americans.
We also learn that the Founders’ Constitution was far more slavocratic than many would acknowledge: the “three fifths” clause gave the South extra political clout for every slave it owned or acquired. As a result, slaveholding Virginians held the presidency all but four of the Republic’s first thirty-six years, and proslavery forces eventually came to dominate much of the federal government prior to Lincoln’s election.
Ambitious, even-handed, eminently accessible, and often surprising, America’s Constitution is an indispensable work, bound to become a standard reference for any student of history and all citizens of the United States.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Akhil Reed Amar has been a member of the Yale Law School faculty since 1985.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Montana Book Company
Fond du Lac, WI, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since June 6, 2002
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 7 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 2.97 | £ 8.94 |
Payment methods
- Check
- Money Order
Specialty
Mathematics, Literature and Literary Criticism, Art and Architecture, Economics, Philosophy, Science, American History, University Press Books, European History, ReligionSeller's business information
Montana Book Company
WI, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
MasterCard, Visa and checks accepted. Preferred domestic shipping via USPS is $5.95 for Priority Mail plus $2.00 for each additional book. The average delivery time for Priority Mail is 3 days. Larger books can be shipped domestically via Media Mail at $3.99 plus $2.00 for each additional book. For books weighing 4 lbs or under most orders can be shipped internationally via Global Priority mail for $35.99 All books are returnable within 10 days.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Montana Book Company, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.A., +1 920-933-5339, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or over sized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.