Good look at what it took to pass the Constitution

I had read nothing about North Carolina's ratification history, nor Rhode Island's, so on this grounds alone, the book is great. Beyond that, Maier gets beyond Federalist/Antifederalist rhetoric (much of it Federalist-driven) and gets beyond "The Federalist" as well.

Political tactics and more all unfold in this book, from Pennsylvania's failed rush to be "The First State" through Massachusetts Federalists' careful, thought-out strategy, on to Virginia's magisterial debates, the surprising results in New York and more, there's a trove of information presented in this book.

In addition, Maier talks about how many of the different state ratifying conventions were concerned first about the Constitution's provision for federal taxation powers and only second for a bill of rights or similar.

This book is jam-packed, but, it is not a difficult read, contra another reviewer. It's certainly NOT a "monograph."

In fact, in places like Massachusetts, Virginia and New York, Maier can almost make me picture the state conventions and some of the actors and actions.