Power and Liberty

Constitutionalism in the American Revolution

By: Gordon S. Wood

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The half century extending from the imperial crisis between Britain and its colonies in the 1760s to the early decades of the new republic of the United States was the greatest and most creative era of constitutionalism in American history, and perhaps in the world. During these decades, Americans explored and debated all aspects of politics and constitutionalism - the nature of power, liberty, representation, rights, the division of authority between different spheres of government, sovereignty, judicial authority, and written constitutions. The results of these issues produced institutions that have lasted for over two centuries.

In this new book, eminent historian Gordon S. Wood distills a lifetime of work on constitutional innovations during the Revolutionary era. In concise form, he illuminates critical events in the nation's founding, ranging from the imperial debate that led to the Declaration of Independence to the revolutionary state constitution making in 1776 and the creation of the Federal Constitution in 1787. Among other topics, he discusses slavery and constitutionalism, the emergence of the judiciary as one of the major tripartite institutions of government, the demarcation between public and private, and the formation of states' rights.

©2021 Oxford University Press (P)2021 Tantor

Breezy Review of Revolutionary Era Ideas

Wood is one of the foremost experts on the American Revolution and this brief text offers a nice summation of the era, its ideas, and ideals. Perfect for folks newer to the era.

Loved the Epilogue on the early eccentricities of Rhode Island and how its more populist measures with respect to banking and easy money fueled growth there. The amount of wildcat banking and paper money counterfeiting was very funny to hear, as were the scandalized responses from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

A must read

A Cogent, comprehensive, insightful, and intelligent history of the founding, documenting its radical departure and its aversion to the populism of its day. And beautifully written.

A wonderful history with undeniable relevance to our times.

Power and Liberty - A work that illuminates and entertains and thus trenches.

Suffice it to say that Professor Wood’s story of why and how this nation was born by way of hard fought founding documents that bind us into a people held together by a civic creed. And oh by the way Professor Wood is one hell of a fine story teller.