What Is the Constitution?

Written by Patricia Brennan Demuth and Who HQ · Illustrated by Tim Foley

Part of the What Was . . . ? series

The story of the creation of the United States Constitution and the principles of government that shape the country.

4.2 Goodreads · 597 ratings

112 pages· 8,196 words· Est. 1 hour read· 800L

$5.99Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Step into the heated debates of 1787, where fifty-five men from the original states clashed over the creation of the U.S. Constitution. With tensions high between North and South, large and small states, key figures like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton navigated countless revisions. Witness the struggle and compromise that forged a four-page document, now the supreme law of the land. What challenges did they face, and how did they overcome them to unite a nation? Explore the riveting story behind the Constitution's creation and the enduring impact of their decisions.

From the publisher

We the people at Who HQ bring readers the full story–arguments and all–of how the United States Constitution came into being. Signed on September 17, 1787–four years after the American War for Independence–the Constitution laid out the supreme law of the United States of America. Today it’s easy for us to take this blueprint of our government for granted. But the Framers–fifty-five men from almost all of the original 13 states–argued fiercely for many months over what ended up being only a four-page document. Here is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the hotly fought issues–those between Northern and Southern States; big states and little ones–and the key players such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington who suffered through countless revisions to make the Constitution happen.

At a glance