We the People
We the People by Jill Lepore, published by Hodder & Stoughton on September 11, 2025, is a comprehensive exploration of the US Constitution, spanning 720 pages. This edition delves into the historical context and ongoing relevance of the Constitution, particularly as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Lepore examines the challenges of amending this foundational document, highlighting the tension between its enduring nature and the pressing need for change in a contemporary political landscape.
Readers will find a detailed narrative that recounts the efforts of ordinary citizens throughout history who have sought to reform the Constitution, from attempts to abolish the Electoral College to advocating for environmental rights. The book presents a critical analysis of the Constitution’s evolution and the societal struggles tied to its interpretation and application. By focusing on the interplay between history and political science, We the People offers insights into the complexities of American governance and the ongoing quest for a more equitable society.
Official synopsis Publisher
On the 250th anniversary of America’s founding – a landmark history of the US Constitution for a troubling new era.
The US Constitution is among the oldest constitutions in the world – and one of the most difficult to amend. Although nearly twelve thousand amendments have been proposed since 1789, only twenty-seven have ever been ratified. Tellingly, the Constitution has not been meaningfully amended since 1971. Without amendment, the risk of political violence rises. So does the risk of constitutional change by presidential power.
Leading Harvard historian Jill Lepore captures the stories of generations of ordinary people who have attempted everything from abolishing the Electoral College to guaranteeing environmental rights, hoping to mend their nation. Recounting the history of America through centuries of efforts to realize the promise of the Constitution, we witness how nearly all those bids have failed.
We the People is the sweeping account of a struggle, arguing that the Constitution was never intended to be preserved, but was expected to be gradually altered. At a time when the risk of political violence is all too real, it hints at the prospects for a better, amended America.
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