Q&A with authors Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese What’s the most surprising fact you learned? The story of the Fourth of July commands such power in the American consciousness that most people think after the Revolutionary War, the new United States had no further problems to speak of. The new nation had no real government, no money, and no way of defending itself—and that’s exactly how people wanted it. Visionaries like James Madison knew a strong Constitution was the only way to survive, but his dream was so unpopular that he had to fight for it every step of the way. Modern Americans adore the Constitution, but don’t realize how close it came to dying before it was born. Which signer was your favorite to research? This book has so many odd and curious characters that it’s hard to pick just one. Gouverneur Morris, for example, wrote the beautiful Preamble to the Constitution—the paragraph that begins "We the People”—and he was an incorrigible playboy with a wooden leg who once tried to hit on Dolley Madison. Alexander Hamilton Although he’s been on the $10 bill and in our pockets since 1929, Alexander Hamilton exploded back into the American consciousness with the advent of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical based on his life. But you don’t have to go to Broadway to learn all about this signer’s meteoric rise to fame. Born in poverty in the West Indies, Hamilton went on to command troops as a captain in the Revolutionary War, serve as the first secretary of the Treasury, and pen the majority of the Federalist Papers before tragically dying in a duel with his long-time arch-rival, Aaron Burr. Gouverneur Morris While you may not recognize him by name, every American should recognize the famous Preamble to the Constitution, penned by Gouverneur Morris: “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…” Aside from crafting these famous words, Morris was a vocal opponent of slavery, a lawyer, a merchant, a militia member and, famously, a playboy. A popular rumor claimed that Morris, who wore a wooden leg, lost his leg while leaping from a window to escape an angry husband who caught Morris in bed with his wife. While Morris was a confirmed womanizer, the truth about his leg is more banal: he lost it in a carriage accident. George Washington George Washington was famously the first president of the United States and a hero of the Revolutionary War, but his contributions to the Constitution—while less glamorous—were just as foundational to our country. A reluctant politician and public speaker—due to his embarrassment over his false teeth—Washington was nevertheless elected president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He spent much of his time playing peacemaker between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, who were constantly at odds. He also schmoozed hesitant delegates after-hours in taverns and ballrooms, winning their support with his star-power and charm. It’s unlikely the controversial Constitution would have ever been ratified without Washington to serve as its face. William Blount After he signed the Constitution, William Blount later claimed that he only did so as proof of his presence, rather than as a seal of approval. If Blount was disinterested in politics, perhaps it’s because most of his attention was focused on his many crimes, schemes, and swindles. But the biggest of all would eventually blow up in his face. In a bid to increase the value of his land, Blount become involved in a plan to incite a war that would give the British control of Louisiana. When the plot was uncovered, the Senate charged him with treason and conspiracy, and he became the first person ever to be impeached in the United States. Alexander Hamilton Gouverneur Morris George Washington William Blount
✔ Author(s): Denise Kiernan,Joseph D'Agnese
✔ Title: Signing Their Rights Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the United States Constitution
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (246 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 168369127X
✔ ISBN-13: 9781683691273
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Signing Their Rights Away by Denise Kiernan
Sarah Franklin
I must confess, this book made me shed tears like never before. The themes of love, loss, and resilience struck a chord with my soul. It was an emotional journey I'm grateful to have taken.
Iris Watts
The world created in this book was unlike anything I've ever encountered. The author's imagination knows no bounds, and I was completely mesmerized by the fantastical setting.
Violet Tyler
The way this book explored the complexities of human nature and relationships was both profound and relatable. It touched my heart in ways I didn't expect.
