This book took me a long time to read, not because it was too dense or badly written, but because I could only take so much of it at a time without becoming terribly depressed.

Lepore approaches the history of the Constitution from the point of view of attempts to amend it, starting with the Bill of Rights and ending up in 2024 with the current world in which nobody is willing to try to amend it anymore. This is both extremely enlightening, and just really sad. It will disabuse you of the notion (if you still hold it) that there every was any kind of liberal golden age where America really tried to do right by everyone.

Her thesis is that amending the Constitution is in fact a safety valve for society, which reduces the likelihood of the country exploding into civil war. At the same time, however, she demonstrates that just because an amendment happens (especially the 14th and 15th) doesn't mean it is enforced and carried out, if you have courts that are happy to ignore it, which we always have. In a way, this truth undermines her thesis, to my mind - if you have the Supreme Court making rulings like Plessy vs Ferguson then what does it matter that you have the 14th amendment? The ultimate situation is one where racism and hypocrisy rules every aspect of American life. And here we are.

Lepore tells of figures important in the history of amendment attempts who are forgotten today, including those who promulgated the toxic "originalism" that is so influential now, and she sums up the dishonesty of the originalists - history is important to them only when it supports their agenda, and they disregard it when it doesn't.

More interestingly, she continually points out how the US Constitution is backward and sclerotic compared to most other constitutions in the world, which have been rewritten, amended, and replaced many times to provide a better foundation for a healthy society.

One sad episode, concerning an amendment to abolish the electoral college, was surprising because it failed in part due to the unrelenting opposition of the NAACP who seemed to think it would dilute the voting power of the nonwhite electorate. It seems clear to me that the opposite is true.

If you can make your way through this important and informative book you will learn a lot, but you will conclude that the US has never lived up to its publicity, not for a minute.

Jill LePore’s *We the People* is a powerful and uplifting exploration of unity, democracy, and civic engagement. Through heartfelt storytelling and thoughtful insight, LePore captures the voices of everyday Americans striving for connection and change. Her writing is both poetic and accessible, making big ideas feel personal and immediate. What sets this book apart is its hopeful tone. Instead of focusing on division, LePore emphasizes empathy, resilience, and the shared values that bind us together. It’s a timely reminder that progress is possible when people listen, care, and act. ‘We the People* is a moving, beautifully written call to action that inspires reflection and reaffirms faith in the power of community. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for making it available.

As in her previous book (“These Truths: A History of the United States), in “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution,” Jill Lepore masterfully distills decades of history into a single volume. I found most fascinating the section on Hawai’i and its horrifying constitutional history.

Lepore’s main argument is that amendment underlies our constitutional history and that the U.S. Constitution was intended to be altered (fixed?) by future generations. The theme is interesting and present throughout the book, though it sometimes feels that Lepore is trying too hard to force it into the narrative. At its best, Lepore’s book demonstrates how arduous the amendment process can be, how potential amendments have failed along the way, and how some have turned away from the amendment process and towards the judiciary for relief.

I finished the book wanting more discussion on the current debates regarding how to fix the amendment process. Although Lepore sheds light on state constitutions, which are far too often neglected in favor of the U.S. Constitution, “We the People” was missing a discussion on how state constitutions can (and should) be more protective of individual rights.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I highly recommend “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution” by Jill Lepore. In someways it overlaps with “How Democracies Die” and “Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point” but is more current and has a more historical perspective. It is also more directed to the current situation where interpretation of the U.S. Constitution is more of an issue.

This book is a great history of our Constitution which emphasizes the importance of both the amending process and interpretation. It is a fairly long (720 pages) and detailed book but well worth the effort if you are interested in the subject or just wish to understand current constitutional issues

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. The book is scheduled to be published on September 16, 2025.

We the People by Jill Lepore is, quite simply, a magnificent achievement and a truly essential read for anyone interested in American history and civics. I found it to be an incredibly thoughtful and illuminating exploration of the U.S. Constitution, building beautifully upon Lepore's impressive body of work. What makes this book shine so brightly is its brilliant presentation of the Constitution not as a static, ancient text, but as a vibrant, living document constantly shaped by generations of debates, triumphs, and even the earnest attempts at amendment that didn't quite make it.

I was particularly struck by how strikingly current and relevant this book feels. Lepore has managed to seamlessly integrate events right up through the 2024 election, demonstrating the ongoing, dynamic nature of our foundational document. The inclusion of historical documents, insightful charts, and compelling visual aids truly elevates the reading experience, making complex ideas digestible and engaging. This isn't just history; it's a profound civic lesson presented with remarkable clarity and intellectual rigor. We the People is a masterpiece of historical scholarship that is both deeply informative and wonderfully accessible, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodread's page.

In what serves as a thoughtful companion to her earlier work, These Truths: A History of the United States, Jill Lepore turns her attention to the U.S. Constitution—specifically, its long and evolving history of amendments. Rather than offering a dry legal analysis, Lepore presents the Constitution as a living document shaped as much by failed attempts to change it as by the amendments that succeeded.

The book feels strikingly current, incorporating events up through the 2024 election and its immediate aftermath. The strongest sections delve into the early amendment process, particularly leading up to the 19th Amendment and the fight for women’s suffrage. From there, the narrative examines how constitutional change has become increasingly rare, first as the courts took center stage in interpreting the law, and now, as public faith in those courts appears to be waning in light of recent decisions.

Lepore's writing is generally accessible and engaging, though at times it leans more toward the tone of a textbook. That may well be intentional, but it could feel slightly less inviting to the casual reader. The inclusion of historical documents, charts, and visual aids enhances the reading experience and helps ground the narrative in tangible detail. She also brings to light the individuals—both well-known and overlooked—who fought to reshape the Constitution in times of crisis and change. Her discussions of “original intent” versus the “living, breathing document” approach are especially clear, even as she makes no secret of what she believes is correct.

Overall, I found this a compelling and timely read. When it’s officially released on September 15, 2025, I’ll be adding it to my collection.

If you like history, but haven't been introduced to Jill Lepore, then where have you been? Her witty style, combined with a captivating dramatic flair, pulls readers in and tells a story unlike many other academics. If more people were able to write history like Lepore, maybe they would not be seen as stuck in "ivory towers" writing esoteric work for their colleagues while the larger public seems intent on neglecting history and the humanities at large. Lepore makes the case that we need to rediscover the Constitution. While it has invited debates on interpretation and arguments about its application, Lepore makes it clear that our country stands because of the strength of this document: its flexibility, but yet its adaptability. She covers the history of its creation and its interpretation, bringing the story right up to current day concerns. This book was certainly influenced by her previous work, These Truths. If you have not read that magnificent work, go pick that one up, too.
Lepore manages to wade through a lot of territory, but does so in such a deft way that she is able to make complicated matters understandable and much more meaningful. Who else could be entrusted to narrate the constitutional issues of the Marshall court in an engaging way?
If you want to understand the issues and debates today in America, We the People is a terrific place to begin. It's constitutional and legal history that is accessible and entertaining. In the last few pages, she asked "What would the founders do?" Without hesitation they would read, debate, repeat. By reading We the People, readers can be assured that even if they don't have a direct role in the debate, they can understand it better than before.