America's Founding Charters

Reviews / Votes

America's Founding Charters authoritatively assembles 260 documents on the origins, developments and growth, and defenses of colonial governance. The only such comprehensive title in print, it covers governance from founding to revolution (1578-1787). Although intended to illustrate how and even why our system of governance has developed the way it has (rather than Colonial social developments or growing political divisions), the work nonetheless demonstrates the internal discord of the time. All three volumes are arranged chronologically; chapters and subchapters are placed in historical context with numerous 50-500-word commentaries....Well indexed, with worthwhile sources cited, this set will be useful to universities with collections/special collections concerning Colonial America. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers. * Choice * This three-volume resource for students and general readers reproduces a broad assortment of major primary documents that illuminate how the U.S. system of governance that was eventually codified in the Constitution of 1787 evolved from Colonial times through the Revolutionary era. Included are statutes, charters, pamphlets, speeches, state constitutions, and more. The three volumes cover distinct periods in the growth of American governance. Each volume has a separate editorial introduction, as do the individual chapters. A bibliographical essay found at the back of the third volume directs readers to both primary and secondary sources. * Reference & Research Book News * The U.S. Constitution and present form of government were developed not only by the group considered to be the Founding Fathers but by all the discussions and writings concerning the formation of government in all of the colonies from their inception. This set brings together 260 primary documents from 1578 to 1787 that form the basis of the colonial and pre-revolutionary governments....This is an attractively packaged reference source, with a straight forward single purpose....It is a recommended purchase for academic institutions with an American history program and desirable for larger public libraries. * Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin *