Novus Ordo Seclorum: The Intellectual Origin of the Constitution FROM THE PUBLISHER
This is the first major interpretation of the framing of the Constitution to appear in more than two decades. Forrest McDonald, widely considered one of the foremost historians of the Constitution and of the early national period, reconstructs the intellectual world of the Founding Fathers--including their understanding of law, history political philosophy, and political economy, and their firsthand experience in public affairs--and then analyzes their behavior in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in light of that world. No one has attempted to do so on such a scale before. McDonald's principal conclusion is that, though the Framers brought a variety of ideological and philosophical positions to bear upon their task of building a "new order of the ages," they were guided primarily by theiy own experience, their wisdom, and their common sense.
FROM THE CRITICS
William and Mary Quarterly
Thoroughly impressive. A book that is consistently enlightening and one that, more than any of McDonald's previous works, stands as a monument to his remarkable talents.
Georgia Historical Quarterly
As provocative as it is difficult to put down.
The New York Times Book Review
A witty and energetic study of the ideas and passions of the Framers.
Home
