The United States Constitution: A History by Elgin Hushbeck

Genre: Nonfiction, history, Constitution, Supreme Court, politics

Book length: 86 pages

Publisher:  Ergion Publications

Reviewer:  Kathleen (K.M.) Waldvogel

The United States Constitution: A History by Elgin Hushbeck discusses why our Founding Fathers created this document and what the document outlines. Readers will find that the book is not intimidating but instead interesting and informative.

While a lot of the information was covered in my history and civics classes, I found the book to be an enjoyable refresher for me. The author pulled me in with quotes from the Founding Fathers. These direct words revealed their perspectives on how they felt a government should be formed and what limitations would be necessary to put on the government. This gave me insight into what life was like during that time and why these individuals created the government as they did.

 An example of controversy and how they compromised is provided by Hushbeck concerning the House and Senate. In the author’s words:

            Given that many issues were handled by state government, the founders wanted something more than a majority for national issues; they wanted a broad consensus.

He explains that the founders felt that if a simple majority vote was all that was needed for legislation, not everyone would truly have a voice. The smaller states held concerns that they would be required to follow laws that were for the benefit of larger states only.

Hushbeck goes on to state:

            They wanted a system that forced consideration of all concerns, which required taking all sides into account to build a consensus on what to do.

Hushbeck’s writing allows the reader to see the reasoning of the Founding Fathers in a manner which is not intimidating. I found it enjoyable and intriguing.

This book will appeal to history buffs as well as those who simply want to learn more about the United States Constitution and its origin.

Reviewer Kathleen (K.M.) Waldvogel enjoys writing for children. She is the author of a middle-grade book, Spies, Soldiers, Couriers, and Saboteurs: Women of the American Revolution, highlighting little-known women and their role in America’s fight for independence. She also has two picture books Three Little Ghosts, and Whoo, Whoo, Who’s Out There?

Waldvogel is active in the Wisconsin Writers Association, SCBWI, and writing groups in Wisconsin and Arizona.

Read more about her at: https://www.kmwaldvogel.com/