The summer of 1787 : the men who invented the Constitution / David O. Stewart.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 285-334) and index.

The successful creation of the Constitution is a suspense story. This book takes us into the sweltering room in which delegates struggled for four months to produce the flawed but enduring document that would define the nation. George Washington presided, James Madison kept the notes, Benjamin Franklin offered wisdom and humor at crucial times. At different points, more than half of the delegates threatened to walk out, and some actually did. It was a desperate balancing act. Revolutionary principles required that the people have power, but could the people be trusted? Would a stronger central government leave room for the states? And what of slavery? The supercharged debates over America's original sin led to the most creative and most disappointing political deals of the Convention. In a country continually arguing over the document's original intent, it is fascinating to watch these powerful characters struggle toward consensus.--From publisher description.

It started at Mount Vernon: March 1785 -- Blood on the snow: winter 1787 -- A house on fire: spring 1787 -- Demigods and coxcombs assemble: May 1787 -- Virginia leads: May 25-June 1 -- Wilson's bargain: May 31-June 10 -- Three-fifths of a human being: June 11 -- Festina Lente: June 12-19 -- To the brink: June 21-July 10 -- The small states win: July 11-17 -- The touch of a feather: July 9-14 -- The Ipswich miracle: July 13 -- The presidential muddle: July 17-26 -- Rutledge hijacks the constitution: July 27-August 6 -- Back to work: August 6 -- The curse of heaven: August 8-29 -- David Brearley's presidency: August 24-September 7 -- The loyal opposition: August 31 -- With all its faults: September 8-17 -- Happiness, perpetual and otherwise: July 4, 1788 -- Making amends.