Yuval Levin is today one of the world's deepest thinkers and with "American Covenant" he proves tis once again. You will be quite happy after to purchase this book and read it.

This is the book we need right now. To reduce polarization, there needs to be some sort of common ground. Yuval Levin shows how the procedural framework the Constitution has laid out used to act as that common ground and can again. He explains that, using this approach, we don’’t need to agree on the actual issues or each other to move forward.

The writing is also very engaging and will appeal to readers across age groups and knowledge of history.

Dense Yet Optimistic Treatise Calls For Revival Of Long-Lost Ideals. In American political discourse, the tide turned significantly towards a more Jeffersonian approach based on liberal ideals such that most all American political discourse for quite some time now is mostly based on rights - who has them, who needs them, whose should have them, who should defend them, etc.

Here, Levin argues that this focus on Jeffersonian thoughts has led us to the current divisive era, one that threatens to tear the American nation apart.

Levin, instead, has a suggestion: the revival of Madisonian thoughts regarding *republican* ideals- somewhat (but not completely) analogous to some modern foci on pluralism, but with the added focus of making pluralism work within a functioning government. After all, it was this very tension between these two competing camps that originally allowed the nation to come together under "e pluribus unum"... and Levin has some thoughts on how that can work again.

Levin does a detailed look at the ideas, how we got to where we are, how each plays out in each realm of American polity, and how a renewed focus on republicanism could heal our divided land. It is a dense look mostly written for scholars and deep thinkers, but for those that can hang with density akin to some substance just shy of lead... this promises to be quite illuminating indeed. And it is one that more Americans *should* read than likely actually *will*.

The single star deduction here is simply due to the shorter than expected bibliography, clocking in at about 13% of the Advance Review Copy of the text I was able to read, where even in a relaxed posture on that point I would still expect around 15%. Splitting hairs at that point, perhaps, but I've had these standards since I began reviewing books several years ago, and it wouldn't be fair to either this book or all the others to not hold to the same-ish standard.

Very much recommended.

Yuval Levin’s latest page-turner, *American Covenant*, is like finding a well-thumbed rulebook in your attic that explains exactly how to repair the leaky plumbing of American politics. With a spritz of historical zest and a twist of scholarly insight, Levin serves up a compelling case that will have even the most cynical barfly at the political saloon pausing mid-sip.

In today’s America, where finding common ground is as rare as a bipartisan budget bill, Levin argues convincingly that the dusty, old Constitution is not just relevant, but our savior waiting in the wings. Through engaging historical narratives intertwined with lucid analysis, Levin portrays the Constitution not as the curmudgeon responsible for our civic headaches but as the wise old therapist capable of reconciling even the most bitter of political enemies.

What makes *American Covenant* stand out is not just its optimistic lens, but how Levin marries this with practical solutions that don’t just bemoan the present but seek to reengineer it. He digs into the framers’ intentions like an archaeologist, uncovering artifacts of wisdom that seem designed just for our current crises.

However, while Levin’s book might make constitutional scholars and history buffs swoon, the everyday reader might find themselves needing a couple of shots of espresso to power through some of the denser thickets of analysis. At times, the book reads like a love letter to a bygone era, which might leave some of the more progressive patrons at the table checking their watches.

Despite this, *American Covenant* is an enlightening read that throws the gauntlet down in front of our fractured political landscape. Levin doesn’t just ask us to look back with reverence but to look forward with a blueprint in hand—a blueprint drafted in the 18th century, yet surprisingly suited for the 21st.

So, if you’re ready to swap cynicism for a dose of constitutional optimism, Levin’s book might just be the next best addition to your bookshelf. After all, in an age of division, perhaps what we need most is a reminder of how to unite—not just in spite of our differences, but because of them. Cheers to that!

This was a really great book. It brought up some great point. It was very well researched and I enjoyed reading it a lot.