A March of Liberty: A Constitutional History of the United States, Volume I: From the Founding to 1890
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Author Description
Review"I have the greatest admiration for A March of Liberty's comprehensiveness and its clarity. No other work combines legal and constitutional history so well, or is so attractively written. The book is well-known and well-respected by those who are teaching the subject." -- Richard Polenberg, Cornell University"A March of Liberty is easily the best and most complete textbook of U.S. Constitutional history in print." -- Judith Kelleher Schafer, Murphy Institute, Tulane University"I've taught this topic for several decades and have used every textbook. As measured by them and on its own merits, Urofsky and Finkelman's is superior in every way It is literate, uncondescending, up to the mark on scholarly interpretation, and although provocative, it avoids ideology."--Harold Hyman, Rice University"A stunning achievement, sets a new standard for the field of constitutional history. A pleasure to read."--James L. Clayton, University of UtahProduct descriptionBook by Urofsky, Melvin I., Finkelman, PaulAbout the AuthorMelvin Urofsky is Professor of History and Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University.Paul Finkelman is Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the evolution of American constitutional law and its foundational role in shaping the political and social trajectory of the United States from the nation's inception through the late nineteenth century. Authors Melvin I. Urofsky and Paul Finkelman, both distinguished scholars in history and law, utilize a comprehensive analysis of judicial decisions, legislative acts, and political developments to construct their narrative. The text argues that constitutional history is not merely a static record of legal precedents but a dynamic process influenced by shifting social values and political conflicts. By synthesizing primary legal documents with historical context, the authors provide a framework for understanding how the Constitution has functioned as both a constraint on and a facilitator of governmental power.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed examination of the Constitutional Convention and the ratification process.
- Analysis of landmark Supreme Court cases from the Marshall Court through the Gilded Age.
- Exploration of the intersection between constitutional interpretation and major historical events such as the Civil War and Reconstruction.
- Methodological approach that balances legal doctrine with the broader socio-political climate of the nineteenth century.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Academic reviewers and legal historians frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for students and scholars of American constitutional history. Experts highlight the clarity of the prose and the authors' ability to maintain scholarly rigor while remaining accessible to a broad audience.
Page Count:
576
Publication Date:
2001-08-16
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195126343
ISBN-13:
9780195126341
Politics
History
Law
Constitutional Law
United States
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