Origins of the Bill of Rights Leonard W. Levy

In this fascinating history of the origins of the Bill of Rights, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Leonard W. Levy offers a panoramic view of the liberties secured by the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Levy illuminates the behind-the-scenes manoeuvrings, public rhetoric, and political motivations of James Madison and others who overcame fierce opposition to ensure the ratification of these crucial liberties.

Leonard W. Levy is Mellon Professor Emeritus at the Claremont Graduate University and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Southern Oregon State College. He is the author of thirty-six books, including Origins of the Fifth Amendment, for which he received a Pulitzer Prize.

"Pulling together a lifetime of scholarship on liberty, Levy offers a vivid account of the various rights and freedoms that Americans care most deeply about." Akhil Reed Amar, Yale Law School "Levy's own keen historical account illustrates how legal concepts have changed over time." Publishers Weekly "Levy has written a fascinating book... I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the Bill of Rights or in the debates surrounding the ratification of the Constitution... An excellent book." Ruth Ann Watry, Law and Politics Book Review "[Levy's] informative arguments in this important work concern the nature and the sources of the Bill of Rights within American democracy, providing understanding for both scholars and citizens." Library Journal"