The Words That Made Us

America's Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840

By: Akhil Reed Amar

Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi

From a preeminent legal scholar, a “fascinating” and “masterful” (Wall Street Journal) history of the American Constitution's formative decades
When the US Constitution won popular approval in 1788, it was the culmination of thirty years of passionate argument over the nature of government. But ratification hardly ended the conversation. For the next half century, ordinary Americans and statesmen alike continued to wrestle with weighty questions in the halls of government and in the pages of newspapers. Should the nation's borders be expanded? Should America allow slavery to spread westward? What rights should Indian nations hold? What was the proper role of the judicial branch?
In The Words That Made Us, Akhil Reed Amar unites history and law in a vivid narrative of the biggest constitutional questions early Americans confronted, and he expertly assesses the answers they offered. His account of the document's origins and consolidation is a guide for anyone seeking to properly understand America's Constitution today.

Critic reviews

“Deeply probing, highly readable… insightful, and at times surprising… Amar strongly suggests that America as a whole—through its great national conversation—did more to draft the Declaration of Independence than Jefferson, and more to write the Constitution than Madison… In addition to educating Americans engaged in discussion about their rich constitutional legacy, the book has a generous spirit that can be a much-needed balm in these troubled times.”—New York Times

“The rarest of things—a constitutional romance. Amar, an eminent professor of law and political science at Yale, has great affection for his subject as a text that is worthy of loving engagement by scholars and the public at large.” —Washington Post

"Fascinating… A masterly synthesis of history and law… Readers of The Words That Made Us will rightly marvel at its breadth and depth and at Mr. Amar’s scholarly acumen."—Wall Street Journal

“Amar argues in this probing account that the United States Constitution emerged out of conversations and debates among the framers—and that those conversations continue to this day.”—New York Times Book Review (Editor's Choice)

“Amar’s fresh and fascinating book focuses on the explosion of impassioned discourse that culminated in, and followed, the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. As the title suggests, the book elevates the importance of dialogue and debate in cementing American identity.”—Christian Science Monitor

“The best book on the subject in many years… A fresh look at the ideas that shaped the Revolution, constitutional framing, and early republic… A book both popular and learned… a book not only of a scholar but a patriot. If widely read, it may make the difficulty of finding appropriate professional historians to teach our children less of a threat to our common future.”—Law & Liberty

“Amar’s expert knowledge of the Constitution does not inhibit his ability as a wordsmith to tell this story in a manner that honors the complexity of the story and remains accessible to a broad range of readers. Every patriotic American should read this fascinating history in order to better understand our founding document (The Constitution) and the history that led our ancestors to wage war against England and then against the naysayers who were opposed to the development of a strong central government.”—Roanoke Times

Provoking

This is a very interesting concept. Because I listened to this and could not really check references, I felt that it was difficult to assess some facts. The author clearly was strong in his praise of Alexander Hamilton, but I had no way to assess the references. I felt he was too judgmental of Jefferson and Madison using today’s standards applied to more than 200 years ago— a little too much political correctness.
I learned a lot however and it was worth reading overall.

Everyone should read this book.

This book belongs on the shelf between Wealth of Nations and Democracy in America! A modern day classic. There is no better book to understand how the founding came about and what America is truly all about. Amar is renowned in legal circles but writes this book for the everyday American to dive into what makes America such an awe inspiring success. Amar gives a new perspective that you won’t find elsewhere on who really wrote the constitution, hint it wasn’t Madison.

Arrogance and Insight

The insight is well worth the time required, but the arrogance of the author — the only living person ever to have comprehended matters universally botched by others — is painful. More painful is the prissy narration, which not infrequently gives the sense of being bemused by the subject.

Outstanding and relevant

It’s a very long but also very engaging and enjoyable read (or listen) for anyone interested in our Constitution, how it was created and agreed to, and how it was interpreted through the Jacksonian era.

And the words that made Us

I am enchanted by history- this book written by an authoritative and fully credentials is plain an educational tool that easily should be given 3 college semesters credit and I feel that I should get that college credit.
It is above all a clear and eye opening experience that allows comparisons with what we are living today specially with the Supreme Court.
Assures and reminds us that democracy is for sure not self sustaining it is a continuing effort to keep democratic process alive and for sure all checks to prevent democracy from falling into desrepair or non functional.
I want for a long time to ask this question:
Are 2/3 of US people confusing democracy versus the democratic process?