Signing Their Rights Away
The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the United States Constitution
Published on 30. April 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-68369-127-3 (ISBN)
Description
Unfold Book Jacket for a Full-Color Reproduction of the U.S. Constitution
With their book Signing Their Lives Away, Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese introduced readers to the 56 statesmen (and occasional scoundrels!) who signed the Declaration of Independence. Now they've turned their attention to the 39 men who met in the summer of 1787 and put their names to the U.S. Constitution.
Signing Their Rights Away chronicles a moment in American history when our elected officials knew how to compromise-and put aside personal gain for the greater good of the nation. These men were just as quirky and flawed as the elected officials we have today: Hugh Williamson believed in aliens, Robert Morris went to prison, Jonathan Dayton stole $18,000 from Congress, and Thomas Mifflin was ruined by alcohol. Yet somehow these imperfect men managed to craft the world's most perfect Constitution. With 39 mini-biographies and a reversible dust jacket that unfolds into a poster of the original document, Signing Their Rights Away offers an entertaining and enlightening narrative for history buffs of all ages.
With their book Signing Their Lives Away, Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese introduced readers to the 56 statesmen (and occasional scoundrels!) who signed the Declaration of Independence. Now they've turned their attention to the 39 men who met in the summer of 1787 and put their names to the U.S. Constitution.
Signing Their Rights Away chronicles a moment in American history when our elected officials knew how to compromise-and put aside personal gain for the greater good of the nation. These men were just as quirky and flawed as the elected officials we have today: Hugh Williamson believed in aliens, Robert Morris went to prison, Jonathan Dayton stole $18,000 from Congress, and Thomas Mifflin was ruined by alcohol. Yet somehow these imperfect men managed to craft the world's most perfect Constitution. With 39 mini-biographies and a reversible dust jacket that unfolds into a poster of the original document, Signing Their Rights Away offers an entertaining and enlightening narrative for history buffs of all ages.
Reviews / Votes
"[The authors]...maintain a refreshing reverence for the Constitution itself. Rather than ask readers to believe that an 'assembly of demigods' (Jefferson's words) wrote the Constitution, Ms. Kiernan and Mr. D'Agnese challenge the notion that the group that crafted this document of enduring genius was uniquely brilliant or visionary. If this raises the question of how exactly the miracle was accomplished, it should at least give readers some hope for our own seemingly uninspired political era." -The Wall Street Journal"This is both educational and entertaining."-Booklist
"Kiernan and D'Agnese, who also wrote Signing their Lives Away, have provided another volume that should appeal to all political and history buffs."-McClatchy Newspapers
"This little book is entertaining, easy to read, and above all, informative. It's a brilliant piece of work and a must-have for any history-buff's library..."-PoliticusUSA
"An extraordinarily fascinating study of America's lesser-known founding fathers alongside the more well-known ones."-Midwest Book Review (Reviewer's Choice)
"It's no secret that I love reading history and occasionally a book comes along that provides an unusual insight beyond the standard telling of a given event. Signing Their Rights Away....is a truly fascinating story that puts their achievement in perspective."-Bookviews
"Kiernan and D'Agnese make both this period and the men who pulled off this incredible achievement exciting and entertaining...This is exceptional historical reporting that is informative, enlightening, and accessible. Anyone with even a remote interest in our rich national history should purchase this highly recommended book."-Larry Cox, King Features Syndicate
"Entertainingly written."-School Library Journal, starred review
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 201 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
249 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-68369-127-3 (9781683691273)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Denise Kiernan | Joseph D'Agnese
Signing Their Rights Away
Book
10/2011
Quirk Books
€39.80
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Denise Kiernan | Joseph D'Agnese
Signing Their Rights Away
Book
10/2011
Quirk Books
€39.80
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Denise Kiernan is a journalist, producer, and the New York Times best-selling author of the narrative nonfiction books, The Last Castle and The Girls of Atomic City. Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist, author and ghostwriter who has written for both adults and children. With his wife, Denise Kiernan, he has authored several books on U.S. history, including Signing Their Lives Away, Signing Their Rights Away, and Stuff Every American Should Know. They live in North Carolina.