Documenting America: Lessons from the United States’ Historical Documents

Thought-provoking look at history from the horse’s mouth
David Todd has gone on a remarkable historical journey up the proverbial Nile – or perhaps the Potomac, or the Wabash – to the source, looking at some of the original, not necessarily famous, documents created and referred to in the ongoing making of America. Instead of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address, here you will find original commentaries by men who were both participants and observers in the events of those days when America was emerging as a nation.As a Canadian, I feel myself more an observer than a participant in U.S. history. I wonder if my neighbours to the south will be as able as I am to remain detached and calm about the contents of Documenting America.Todd’s selection of texts and his own perspectives on them bring forward some of the themes that we outsiders are well aware of, showing us in 30 brief chapters a variety of original texts from America’s formative days, along with Todd’s own brief commentary on each. My personal favourite is chapter 24, a sketch of the extreme difficulty a clergyman from England found himself having, trying to make a go of it on his farm in North Carolina in 1711. This is not like most of the other chapters in that it isn’t likely to be the basis for a heated political argument between readers.More of the book deals with various aspects of the many political issues the U.S. has grappled with over the centuries. While Todd has a strong interest in the development of government over the years, I am not so interested in politics. As a lawyer schooled in the Canadian common law system, which is deeply rooted in English common law, I was personally a little bemused by Todd’s perspective on the virtues of judge-made law versus statute. And therein lies the charm and the appeal of this little book. Nearly every chapter is in some way provocative. Todd says he is not a professional historian, and that may be true, but I say he comes from a wonderful tradition of lay scholars and autodidacts: people who choose to advance their own knowledge of the world through studying and engaging with the thoughts and deeds of those who have gone before.You may agree with Todd’s views, you may radically disagree, and you may find that only some of the chapters interest you. However, every chapter will give you something to think about, and if you want, to argue about.Well worth picking up and dipping into from time to time as some exercise for your thinking muscles. You will find some great practice pieces if you want to take up debating as a hobby. This book was offered at a bargain price when I bought it, and may still be, but it is certainly worth more.I would recommend giving this book to any American high school or university student with an interest in current affairs. Let your sons and daughters see with their own eyes that today’s debates are often about the same issues people argued about in the 1700s, and let the readers decide whether they agree with Todd or not.I’m glad I read it.

Well worth a read
David Todd has brought together a rich assortment of significant but not well known documents from America’s past. Simply the work done to pull these together is valuable.Todd has put them together in a logical sequence and provided helpful historical context. He also provides his own commentary on how each selection relates to a 21st century context. This is where he is more controversial and you may or may not agree with his appraisal. I found that even when I disagreed with him, I thought his comments were insightful and consistent with his view point. Further, his commentary was often presented in the form of a question that encouraged thoughtful reflection rather than a dogmatic and rigid analysis. He showed humility and I liked that.

This little book is a must have!
Documenting America is absolutely amazing! Highly informative and very readable! I was surprised by the amount of information on these relatively unknown documents .