A little dry in parts, and a little long, but certainly a definitive work on the founding fathers and the development of our current system of government. Beeman really gets into the nature and depth of discussions among the delegates on settling issues of small states interests vs. large states, the nature of a chief executive, or even if there should be one, how he would be elected, and how we ended up with the Electoral College system. The book contains many interesting insights into the writing of the Constitution, and how it was much more complex than I ever considered. Of minor interest, but relevant to recent Glen Beck university discussions on the religious foundations of our Constitution, were the discussions on this topic. Beemans research indicates that while the delegates to the constitutional convention may have been religious as individuals, religious influences, opening prayers, preacher sermons, etc., were not only missing from discussions, but specifically and intionally separated from meetings and discussions. Separation of church and state appears to have been much more deliberate than some modern religious leaders would have you believe. ( )

Another excellent book by Richard Beeman. "Plain, Honest Men" is a blow-by-blow account of the development of the US Constitution during the summer of 1787. This is a wonderfully written narrative that proves how difficult it was for our Founders to create our government. But while Beeman honors the men who created the Constitution, he pulls no punches on those who fought to keep slavery a viable practice. However, he also recognizes and emphasizes the context of the times. This doesn't absolve these men, but it does explain why they justified such an immoral and hypocritical system. ( )

Good account of the Constitutional Convention. Written in a narrative style. At times a bit of a page turner! If Hollywood ever decided they wanted to make a movie about the creation of the Constitution they could do worse than using this book as the basis. ALso, don't be put off by the title...the author is not afraid to expose the flaws in those involved!! ( )

The history of the making of the Constitution is presented here as it was created by an impressive group of individuals. Richard Beeman's excellent detailed account of the summer of 1787 relates the revolutionary results of these individuals in the context of their time. I was impressed with the character of the men who were able to work in secrecy for months even though their views were passionate and varied from state to state and even within some delegations. Holding the group together were the well-known personages of Washington, Madison and Franklin. But there were many others who made major contributions and put forward ideas that, even when rejected, spurred the debate. Some of the other notables included Gouvernor Morris who shaped the language of the document, Roger Sherman, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Edmund Randolph and others.
The character of the delegates was impressive as was their camaraderie, for the time spent socializing was important as well. The partisan debates, especially between the small versus large states, mirrored partisan politics that is still with us today. The resolution of the structure of the Constitution was not always assured but achieved through compromise and hard work. This is a scholarly yet readable history that succeeds in providing you with the feeling as you read it that you are there with these plain, honest men. ( )

Too often these days, the meaning of the Constitution is bandied about without a real understanding of how it was created and the real intent behind it. This book shows that our government is a decidedly human endeavor and this important document is a working plan, not an ideological tract. ( )