>
>In fact I will read the Federalist Papers. Thank you for the recommendation. I have a nice little shelf of Library of America volumes already and one of the best is some writings of Abraham Lincoln. A Republican, I mention only in passing.
>
>I don't get the French model reference. Please send her by so she can explain it ;-)
>
>(Yeah, as if. I am finally starting to feel my age).

While you're reading about the Constitution, I'll make two recommendations:

"Miracle at Philadelphia" is the classic work on the Constitutional Convention. Serious scholarship. I read it years ago and enjoyed it.

I just read "Me the People" by Kevin Bleyer, who is a writer for The Daily Show. It's his attempt at rewriting the Constitution. I was impressed by how much real information is mixed in with his silliness.

Tamar