Understanding the Constitution: Creating the Federal Government

With David McCullough's outstanding biography John Adams topping the bestseller lists this summer and fall, and Joseph Ellis' brilliant Founding Brothers winning a Pulitzer Prize, more and more Americans are taking an interest in the 18th century creation of an entirely new system of government for a country that would one day become a world power. Offering a straightforward overview of how the Founding Fathers came up with the conceptual framework known as the Constitution, containing the blueprint for the governing of America, Creating the Federal Government (one of four titles in the Understanding the Constitution series) takes viewers on a "virtual tour" with a computerized host. Starting by setting the historical context for the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the program examines the basics of separation of powers, checks and balances, and looks at the Articles and Amendments. Archival materials are spiced up with convincing re-enactments, including very effective "interviews" with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, truly making history come alive. The accompanying curriculum is creative, easy to use, and features good, expanded content. Recommended. The other titles in the series (series price: $219) are: The Legislative Branch, The Executive Branch and The Judicial Branch. Aud: I, J. (E. Gieschen)