The Soothing “Miracle” at Philadelphia

Obviously I’m really upset right now. To the point where I am finding it hard to even think straight. I want to wave a magic wand over my computer, and have it all be well again.

So what do I do when I feel this way? I find comfort any way I can.

Right now, I’m reading with GREAT enjoyment Catherine Drinker-Bowen’s classic Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May – September 1787. Ahhhh. Now I read her spectacular book John Adams and the American Revolution (my dad loved this book, and passed on that love to me.) I had never read Miracle though, so I am having a blast. A total BLAST.

It is the story of the Constitutional Convention – from start to finish, day to day. You do get brief backgrounds on the Articles of Confederation, etc., but primarily – it is the story of those months, hashing out the constitution, bit by bit by bit. She tells us when each delegate arrived, and how they arrived … where did they stay, what did they all do for entertainment … how did they regard one another? Pieced together through letters, journals, and (primarily) James Madison’s scrupulous notes (how he managed to keep such detailed notes, as well as making speeches, and paying close attention so he could report it all to Jefferson – is another miracle. More evidence of the unbelievably cool and logical mind of this extraordinary gentleman) … anyway, she has pieced them together and writes the book like a novel. You feel that you are in those rooms. You feel the stifling heat, the mugginess, you see the green baize tables … It’s a wonderful book, rightly called a classic.

I’m finding it reaaallllly comforting to read right now. In my unbelievable stress.