Synopses & Reviews
Our leaders swear to uphold it, our military to defend it. It is the blueprint for the shape and function of government itself and what defines Americans as Americans. But how many of us truly know our Constitution?
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into our nations cornerstone principles. Simply put, it is the most enjoyable and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.
What revolutionary ideas made the Constitutions authors dare to cast off centuries of rule by kings and queens? Why do we have an electoral college rather than a popular vote for president and vice president? How did a document that once sanctioned slavery, denied voting rights to women, and turned a blind eye to state governments running roughshod over the liberties of minorities transform into a bulwark of protection for all?
The United States Constitution answers all of these questions. Sure to surprise, challenge, and provoke, it is hands down the most memorable introduction to Americas founding document.
A ten-year veteran of the film and television production industry, Jonathan Hennessey is a writer living in Los Angeles. Aaron McConnell is a freelance illustrator living in Oregon. A YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
A Village Voice Best Book of the Year
A Texas Library Association Young Adult Round Table Recommended Graphic Novel
United States leaders swear to uphold it, the U.S. military to defend it. It is the blueprint for the shape and function of government itself and what defines Americans as Americans. But how many Americans truly know their Constitution?
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into the nations cornerstone principles. It is an engaging and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.
What revolutionary ideas made the Constitutions authors dare to cast off centuries of rule by kings and queens? Why do we have an electoral college rather than a popular vote for president and vice president? How did a document that once sanctioned slavery, denied voting rights to women, and turned a blind eye to state governments running roughshod over the liberties of minorities transform into a bulwark of protection for all?
The United States Constitution answers all of these questions. This memorable introduction is sure to surprise, challenge, and provoke a new or reinforced understanding of the U.S. Consitution. "Author Jonathan Hennessey and artist Aaron McConnell have successfully combined their talents to create an exceptional and reader-friendly graphic novel. The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation would be an outstanding addition to any government or history classroom, as well as to any classroom or library that uses graphic novels."Cheryl Williamson, teacher at Monroe Central Junior-Senior High School, Parker City, Indiana
"Author Jonathan Hennessey and artist Aaron McConnell have successfully combined their talents to create an exceptional and reader-friendly graphic novel. The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation would be an outstanding addition to any government or history classroom, as well as to any classroom or library that uses graphic novels."Cheryl Williamson, teacher at Monroe Central Junior-Senior High School, Parker City, Indiana
“The coolest thing since Schoolhouse Rock.”Rachel Maddow, The Rachel Maddow Show
"If the Constitution is a living document, the last eight years have left it badly battered. But this intelligently written, lushly illustrated tome offers an antidote to the grievous misreadings that have spawned the likes of Guantánamo. Hennessey interweaves the Framers' intent with contemporary battles over constitutional law, while McConnell colors history with masterful strokes. A civics lesson no one should miss."Alexander Nazaryan, The Village Voice (Best Book of 2008)
"In a format more familiar to Superman, Jonathan Hennessey has told an even greater adventure story about American history starring everyday superheroes named 'We the People.' Instead of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, the Framingham native has written the illustrated United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation which chronicles the creation of the document that's guided the nation for 221 years. Illustrated by Aaron McConnell with vivid, detailed drawings, the 160-page book explains the history and principles establishing the government's three branches and the adoption of the Bill of Rights and 17 later amendments through colorful images and informative speech . . . If Ben Franklin were alive today, the cagey old printer would probably be publishing it instead of Hill and Wang."Chris Bergeron, The MetroWest Daily News
"Not too long ago, the term 'graphic nonfiction' might have referred to how-to manuals, editorial cartoons or field guides to flora and fauna. But recently, Farrar, Straus and Giroux has released several works by nonfiction writers using pictures to help tell a storyto leaven a dense topic or to help the information flow. The topics are as varied as the U.S. Constitution, modern dancer Isadora Duncan and the human genetic code . . . Writer Jonathan Hennessey and artist Aaron McConnell collaborated to make The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation an excellent guide not only to the document itself, but also to the events that informed it. It's not an article-by-article, amendment-by-amendment kind of reference, but rather an insightful look at factors like the relationships between the states, the ramifications of creating a federal government, the concerns of the people and the changes wrought over time on language, technology and the economy that inform the way we interpret the Constitution. It's packed with information. In taking up the second-amendment right to bear arms, for example, Hennessey differentiates between the words 'persons' and 'people,' persons being everyone and people being those individuals granted political rightsand therefore susceptible to having them taken away. He includes elements of the current debate, such as whether the men in the late 1700s who wrote the amendment could have imagined the power of the 'arms' available today. Despite providing that level of background and collateral information, the book doesn't weigh in on whether the right should be limited. McConnell's pictures mix narrative art with surreal political cartooning, using anthropomorphism (legislators with the Capitol dome in place of heads or the judicial branch represented by a human figure capped by the Supreme Court building); by depicting metaphors literally (a description of the states as 'laboratories of democracy' is rendered as a chemistry lab surrounded by state birds, including Ohio's cardinal); and in straightforward comic-book style, like action-oriented battle scenes accompanying Hennessey'
Review
“The coolest thing since Schoolhouse Rock.” —Rachel Maddow, The Rachel Maddow Show “Intelligently written, lushly illustrated . . . Hennessey interweaves the Framers intent with contemporary battles over constitutional law, while McConnell colors history with masterful strokes. A civics lesson no one should miss.” —Alexander Nazaryan, The Village Voice (A Best Book of 2008) “Avoiding the didactic, the book succeeds in being both consistently entertaining and illuminating . . . A fine introduction to U.S. legal history.” —Publishers Weekly “[A] must-read graphic novel treatment of the history, meaning and evolution of the United States Constitution. It should be a staple of every high school history class.” —Jonathan Valania, Phawker “A sweet, quick, thoroughgoing history of the U.S. Constitution . . . Youd be hard-pressed to find a better primer for bringing the kids, foreigners and forgetful in your life up to speed.” —Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing “We the people can now appreciate our nations founding document unpacked into easy-to-follow explanations enriched with stick-in-your-mind visuals . . . A surprising and effective accomplishment; highly recommended for all collections. Buy multiples for kids, teens, and adults.” —Martha Cornog, School Library Journal (starred review) “Before Obama is sworn in as the next U.S. president in January, let Hennessey and McConnells The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation be your refresher course.” —Charles Moss, PopMatters “Aaron McConnells illustrations are brilliant in their effectiveness of depicting complex themes and ideas in discernable ways. The style is reminiscent of the political cartoons of yore and his use of iconography is clever and informative.” —Chris Wilson, The Graphic Classroom
Synopsis
Our leaders swear to uphold it, our military to defend it. It is the blueprint for the shape and function of government itself and what defines Americans as Americans. But how many of us truly know our Constitution?
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into our nations cornerstone principles. Simply put, it is the most enjoyable and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.
What revolutionary ideas made the Constitutions authors dare to cast off centuries of rule by kings and queens? Why do we have an electoral college rather than a popular vote for president and vice president? How did a document that once sanctioned slavery, denied voting rights to women, and turned a blind eye to state governments running roughshod over the liberties of minorities transform into a bulwark of protection for all?
The United States Constitution answers all of these questions. Sure to surprise, challenge, and provoke, it is hands down the most memorable introduction to Americas founding document.
About the Author
A ten-year veteran of the film and television production industry, JONATHAN HENNESSEY is a writer living in Los Angeles. AARON MCCONNELL is a freelance illustrator living in Oregon.