Member Reviews

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  1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

  • Rated 0 stars

  “ A Brilliant Solution is a book that i had to read for AP US history. I felt that it was a good book because it was short and concise. I feel that it was a major accomplishment for the author because its very hard to write about history in a compressed space. Historical books have to be short so that they not only appeal to the people who are interested in that topic but also people who do not know history or that topic so well. Berkin is able to explain the history of our nation in a clear and short manner and that is why I liked it. Most historical books include too many trivial facts which discourage the average reader from actually focusing on what the author is really trying to explain. Carol Berkin does not do this and that is why her book is a success.”

  Dylan Y wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 3 stars

  “another book about the Americas early history. i would recommend this for someone who is interested in finding out the origins of our system of government ”

  Titi O wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “this book gives great insight into the creation of the US constitution, the basis of the United States government. i lilked how the book made the people who made it seem human, people with differences, opinions and agendas, and what made an otherwise boring subject interesting. i also learned alot from the book, which i guess was the point of reading it before ap US history classes, but reading the book certainly wasnt time wasted.”

  ALEKSANDAR G wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “I liked this book alot, paticularly in contrast with other History books I have been made to read in the past(despite how much I like the subject). Berkin's writing style is interesting, engaging, and real, as opposed to the low ramblings and drone of some old college professor. Not only does she paint an accurate picture of what happened by important historical events and factors, but gives details about the lives and personalities of the founding fathers that are interesting and that one can actually relate to. The book talks about the failures of the early State-based seprated governments under the "Articles of Confederation" that demanded a serious rethinking of the American republic. In 1787, representatives from every state but Rhode Island sent represntatives to a convention in philadelphia in which they would discuss such matters. Out of the argument between the Federalists and the anti-Federalists that ensued, an American Constitution was born, that satisfied both parties and created a fair, powerful, American federal goverenment with a central leader at its head. The rights of the states were not infringed upon.”

  JEAN FRANCOIS F wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 0 stars

  “This book was centered about the founding fathers and their steps to creating the American Constitution. The constitution was Americas first form of government. The books demonstrates each of the founding fathers role in developing the constitution, and each gave in different styles and parts, which made it as a whole. The book is centered around the convention that was held in Philidelphia in order to construct the constitution. George Washington was the leader or moderator of the convention. He decided who spoke and when they spoke in order to keep the convention at a minimum period. The convention held certain rules, since none of the people wanted to be there long. One rule was that on one topic, each person was only allowed to put in their input once. this way, it would keep repitition at a minimal. The convention was ful of two kinds of groups, mainly. The people fighting for a federal government to have a government ruling all the states or each individual government. in the end they decided on a federal government because lone state governments wouldnt be able to handle to debt after the war with britain and also wouldnt protect against foreign powers. in order to be a more powerful country, a federal government was necessary. Another conflict was the type of government they wanted. NO ONE wanted anything relatively similar to a monarchy. all just experienced the wrath of the monarchy of england and the demise of the monarchy of france and wanted neither in their society. ”

  EMMELIA M wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 0 stars

  “This book was a little challenging to read. There were 55 delegates so it was hard sometimes to keep up with all the people in the book. I'd recommend this book to people who wanted to know how the Constitution was constructed and what was going on at the Continental Congress. There were many conflicting ideas and several delegates had proposals that were rejected or only until later were they accepted. I'm surprised that 55 people could construct a Constitution that lasts up to now. There were many ideas on how to form a government for this new nation. The Founding Fathers wanted to make sure that too much power would be in the hands of one person and I think they did a good job in accomplishing this. ”

  AGNIESZKA W wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 2 stars

  “This book is about the making of the American Constitution. It gives a history of how the constitution was made. This was my least favorite book out of the two history books I had to read for AP U.S. History. Although I found this book boring, I did find it interesting to see the process of how the American Constitution was made. It was interesting to know how the Constitution was made with lots of difficulty. I found it quite surprising how much of a trouble it was to create the constitution. It was hard for to get all the states to agree with the constitution since each state had their own goals in mind. I would recommend this book to readers who are really interested in America history. This book will give readers a good understanding of the creation of the American Constitution in Philadelphia of 1787.”

  JENNY A wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “This book, in my opinion, was the perfect historical book. It was concise, short, and straight to the point. This book was somewhat interesting.
  
  In an era where America was still a young country, a young, poor, and generally unstable country, came a group of noblemen who wanted change. They wanted something different from the old, conservative, traditional monarchal government. They wanted change and reform.
  
  This book basically describes how this collection of noblemen managed to overcome their elitist ideas and form a government "by the people, to the people, and for the people."
  
  I think this book is of great significance, since we are in a time of great change and instability. I think readers should be informed of how this government and country ws formed, and what to make of it in today's context.
  
  I recommend this to anybody who is mature enough to comprehend and interpret politics and government, it will be of value to people who want to be more informed of what's going on.”

  Ilir N. wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “The modern day, world-weary American may have difficulties fully appreciating their government, corrupt and abused it appears to them under various administrations. What will implement a deeper frustration in such scholarly types is that the Nation’s Founding Fathers (or, shall one say, Brothers), were determined to establish a government that would not fall into tyranny. These were men who had started a war against a tyrannical King, they were not blind to man’s tendency to abuse power and were determined to avoid it at all costs. Their first attempt at this, The Articles of Confederation, failed, but the Constitution, particularly its establishment of the democratic President and permission to collect taxes, has made it enduring to this day. A Brilliant Solution explores this process.”

  ANGELA B.B. wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 0 stars

  “While many would find this book to be boring, it is not a story. It is a history of the writing of the Constitution and should not be viewed from a standpoint of an entertaining book, but should be viewed rather as an informative book. I found it very interesting to know what was behind the creation of our government and the book captured my attention. It sheds light on the importance of differing views in government. Like "The Founding Brothers", this book shows that differing viewpoints result in better decisions. As a result of the interests of large states versus the interests of the small states, the Senate has an equal representation for every state, and population-based representation for the House of Representatives. It is very interesting to learn how these things came into existence.”

  RYAN H wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )