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The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation

The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation
By Jonathan Hennessey

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Product Description

Our leaders swear to uphold it, our military to defend it. It is the blueprint for the shape and function of government itself and what defines Americans as Americans. But how many of us truly know our Constitution?

The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into our nation’s cornerstone principles. Simply put, it is the most enjoyable and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.

What revolutionary ideas made the Constitution’s authors dare to cast off centuries of rule by kings and queens? Why do we have an electoral college rather than a popular vote for president and vice president? How did a document that once sanctioned slavery, denied voting rights to women, and turned a blind eye to state governments running roughshod over the liberties of minorities transform into a bulwark of protection for all?

The United States Constitution answers all of these questions. Sure to surprise, challenge, and provoke, it is hands down the most memorable introduction to America’s founding document.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #64946 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-10-14
  • Released on: 2008-10-14
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 160 pages

Features

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Take a look at the Constitution as you've never seen it before in The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation. Writer Jonathan Hennessey and illustrator Aaron McConnell describe the creation of Article I with vibrant, detailed graphics and captions that are surprisingly informative. Each image below links to a larger view of the page [PDF].


From Publishers Weekly
Writer Hennessey and artist McConnell undertake the imposing task of going through the entire U. S. Constitution, article by article, amendment by amendment, explaining their meaning and implications—in comics format. Avoiding the didactic, the book succeeds in being both consistently entertaining and illuminating. The illustrations are sometimes predictable: as the text describes King George III wrestling with the rebellion, the art shows him arm wrestling a colonist. More often, in the editorial cartoon tradition, McConnell's art ranges inventively through different styles and devices, from realistic depictions of historic personages to symbolic figures (the president as a man with the White House as his head) and even talking birds and parodic superheroes. Hennessey is particularly good at exploring the historical context in which various elements of the Constitution originated, such as the excesses of European monarchies. He also chronicles the dark side of constitutional history, notably how long it allowed slavery to remain legal. While the book depicts the framers of the Constitution as practical men, readers will also be impressed by the framers' vision in devising a system that has endured for two centuries, and it's a fine introduction to U.S. legal history. (Oct.)
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Review

“The coolest thing since Schoolhouse Rock.” —Rachel Maddow, The Rachel Maddow Show
 
“Intelligently written, lushly illustrated . . . Hennessey interweaves the Framers’ intent with contemporary battles over constitutional law, while McConnell colors history with masterful strokes. A civics lesson no one should miss.” —Alexander Nazaryan, The Village Voice (A Best Book of 2008)
 
“Avoiding the didactic, the book succeeds in being both consistently entertaining and illuminating . . . A fine introduction to U.S. legal history.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“[A] must-read graphic novel treatment of the history, meaning and evolution of the United States Constitution. It should be a staple of every high school history class.” —Jonathan Valania, Phawker
 
“A sweet, quick, thoroughgoing history of the U.S. Constitution . . . You’d be hard-pressed to find a better primer for bringing the kids, foreigners and forgetful in your life up to speed.” —Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing
 
“We the people can now appreciate our nation’s founding document unpacked into easy-to-follow explanations enriched with stick-in-your-mind visuals . . . A surprising and effective accomplishment; highly recommended for all collections. Buy multiples for kids, teens, and adults.” —Martha Cornog, School Library Journal (starred review)
 
“Before Obama is sworn in as the next U.S. president in January, let Hennessey and McConnell’s The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation be your refresher course.” —Charles Moss, PopMatters
 
“Aaron McConnell’s illustrations are brilliant in their effectiveness of depicting complex themes and ideas in discernable ways. The style is reminiscent of the political cartoons of yore and his use of iconography is clever and informative.” —Chris Wilson, The Graphic Classroom
 
“An excellent guide not only to the document itself, but also to the events that informed it . . . This gem of a book would be an asset to any high-school civics or government curriculum and equally at home on a pleasure reading list. ” —Michael Gill, Cleveland Free Times
 
“Author Jonathan Hennessey and artist Aaron McConnell have successfully combined their talents to create an exceptional and reader-friendly graphic novel. The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation would be an outstanding addition to any government or history classroom, as well as to any classroom or library that uses graphic novels.” —Cheryl Williamson, teacher at Monroe Central Junior-Senior High School, Parker City, Indiana

Customer Reviews

A terrific introduction (or refresher) to our nation's ruling document5
Every American should read this book! It really does an amazing job of presenting every element of the Constitution - from the history of the Revolution to the debates over the various articles and amendments - with clarity while never seeming to talk town to its audience. Hennessey and McConnell do a terrific job of explaining some of the Constitution's more complicated concepts (Electoral College, anyone?) while even managing to make it fun. I would recommend this for anyone from high school age up, but I would really recommend it to anyone who really craves a better understanding of why our government structures sometimes seem so wacky.

The United States Constitution, A Graphic Adaptation5
A well researched book about the United States Constitution. In today's world with so many questions regarding rights of citizens and branches of our government, this is very helpful in better understanding the basis of our Constitution and the reasoning behind its writing. This would be an excellent textbook for high schools to encourage students to develop a sincere interest in our government and how it works. I stongly recommend this book to those who wish to broaden their knowledge of the United States Constitution.

Can you see our Founding Document?4
So many people nowadays talk about the Constitution, its provisions and its history. I wonder how many of them actually read it, and even more so, understand it. Bringing the Constitution to the American Masses, Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell have done so in a fairly unique and inspiring way: threw the form of a graphic novel.

Part Constitutional primer and part history, The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation is a pleasant meandering through the visionary paper that founded our government. Hennessey and McConnell's job is not easy; taking this document and making it accurate, relevant, and real to today's audiences, with a sense of whimsy that graphic novel allows, is quite the balancing act. They accomplish this with a smart blend of historical information, interpretation, and graphics that illustrate, sometimes fantastically, the concepts they discuss. For example, in discussing the role of the judiciary, the character walks around with a Supreme Court building head. Odd, but appropriate.

They managed to squeeze in most major cases that the Supreme Court has ruled on in its years of existance; from Marbury to Roe V. Wade, especially as they amplify parts of the Constitution (whether you agree with that amplification or not). Placement is accurate, and iluminates their points well. (One would think that someone could pass this book on to a certain VP nominee, and get her up-to-date on some of the most major cases!).

One drawback to the book I found is the general failure to list the actual parts of the Constitution it was discussing, especially in the realm of the amendments. I often was sent scurrying to my iPhone (to which I've downloaded a free Constitutional app!) to read the actual language of the provision, article or amendment. The lack of the words baffles me. Would it have been that difficult to insert them?

Still, I loved this book. It's a quick read, enjoyable, and catches you quickly up on the document that everyone claims to know, but few do. I highly recommend this book for your own reading pleasure. It's unique, accessible, and very, very informative!