The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution

The "Founding Brothers" by Joseph J.

Ellis is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, politics, or simply understanding how our nation was founded and how it has evolved over time.

This book provides a detailed account of the constitutional changes that built equality into America's foundation and how those guarantees have been shaken over time.

The author, a Pulitzer Prize-winning scholar, masterfully traces the arc of pivotal amendments from their origins in pre-Civil War mass meetings to their virtual nullification in the late 19th century.

Throughout the book, Ellis highlights the momentous decisions by the Supreme Court and how the states actively undermined these guarantees, leading to the Jim Crow system.

The author also provides insight into how these changes inform our understanding of the present as well as the past, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and vigilance in securing our basic rights.

With its comprehensive and engaging narrative, "Founding Brothers" is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of American democracy and how it has evolved over time.