I first read this book several years ago for my high school American History class, and I just recently read it again. This book is excellent no matter what your age or understanding of U.S. History. One of its greatest advantages is that its narrative style makes the story of the Constitution so accessible. It is clear and easy to read; however, it does give a complete and thorough treatment of why the document was needed; the ideas and compromises that went into the document, and the debates that shaped the Constitution. Finally, the book is clearly, excellently based upon James Madison's notes from the Convention itself. All in all, an outstanding book for high school and college students, and anyone else interested.

A breathtaking account! Includes countless historical facts told in an easy-to-read manner. One of my top five favorite books!

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but in this case you can tell a lot about the book just from its title. You can't expect any kind of objective commentary from something with the gushing title of "Miracle at Philadelphia". Ms Bowen's work is another in the long tradition of encouraging worship of rather than understanding of the Founding Fathers.

Having said that, it must be admitted that it does do so rather well. The book contains a wealth of detail without bogging down the storytelling. Of course the details presented are those which cast the Framers in a positive light. You wouldn't learn from reading this book that at the end of the Revolutionary War Robert Morris and Alexander Hamilton attempted a military coup to force a strong centralized administration of the United States. Or that Nathaniel Gorham, while President of Congress, had contacted European governments about becoming the King of America.

Still, the information she does present is accurate enough. I describe the work as useful and give it 3 out of 5 stars. It can help flesh out the story of the federal convention even if it doesn't convey a full understanding of what actually took place. The best general survey of the Framing I have found is the Colliers' "Decision in Philadelphia". If you are only going to get a single book on the constitutional convention that is the one to buy. As Ms Bowen says, she is a Drinker. Her book has the flaw you would expect from a descendent of that old Quaker family. It's best used as a supplement for more comprehensive works.

This book stands out because it is one the most readable books you will find in the history section. It is very clear and you do get a lot of information about the time that representatives from all the states were in Philadelphia during a hot summer to write the Constitution.

If you are a highschool student it is therefore very interesting because it gives you a good insight in how this remarkable document came into being. For more advanced readers it is also very interesting, it is especially better than any other book on this subject, it makes the whole process clearer than in a standard history book. It also gives a great explenation of the men who were involved. Through looking at the private documents of the participants she makes the process more human, and therefore more easily understandable.