Short, average and not up to Michener's usual standards. ( )

I was expecting more of the misguided preachiness typical of Michener's modern commentary. It appeared subtly in certain passages, but the overall story at least portrays both sides in the critical debates in our nation's history - independence, the Constitution, the Civil War, and women's rights. His most controversial idea surfaces around p. 70 where he admires the supreme court decisions that resulted in a flexible government, based on changing definitions decided solely by it. Despite my reservations this is a respectable and interesting introduction to our government. The closing message is that we need to not be silent. ( )