2987 Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution, by Jack N. Rakove (read 7 Jun 1997) (Pulitzer History prize in 1997) This book I did not find a joy to read. It is erudite and awfully balanced and delves into the matter of ideas and concepts involved in the working of the 1787 constitutional convention more detailedly than I found I was interested in. So I cannot say I got as much out of reading this splendidly carefully written book as I should have. It is more intellectual in its approach to the questions it discusses so carefully than I found interesting. He shows that a blind adherence to the drafters' intent in writing the
Constitution leaves something to be desired. The experience of working with and living under the
Constitution must be considered in resolving constitutional questions. ( )