Fault lines in the constitution, the graphic novel : the framers, their fights, and the flaws that affect us today / written by Cynthia Levinson and Sanford Levinson ; art by Ally Shwed ; color by Gerardo Alba Rojas ; lettering by Angela Boyle.

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  • Additional Information
    • Publication Information:
      First graphic novel edition.
    • Abstract:
      Summary: "In 1787, after 116 days of heated debates and bitter arguments, the United States Constitution was created. This imperfect document set forth America's guiding principles, but it would also introduce some of today's most contentious political issues--from gerrymandering, to the Electoral College, to presidential impeachment. With colorful art, compelling discourse, and true stories from America's past and present, Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel sheds light on how today's political struggles have their origins in the decisions of our Founding Fathers"-- Provided by publisher.
    • Content Notes:
      The framers -- The preamble -- Part I: How bills become (or, more likely, don't become) law. It takes two to tango / bicameralism ; Big states, little say / the Senate ; Delete! / presidential veto ; Majority rules--except when it doesn't / super majority rules -- Part II: Hello, can you hear me? How to cherry-pick voters / gerrymandering ; Taxation without representation / the District of Columbia ; "I'll just do it myself!" "Oh, no, you won't." / direct democracy -- Part III: If American threw a party, would I be let in? Who can vote? How do you know? / voting rights ; Who gets to represent you? / restrictions on running for Congress ; Who gets a shot at the Oval Office? / restrictions on running for President ; Time's up! / presidential term limits -- Part IV: "Hurrah! I'm 18. I can finally vote for the President. Not so fast." The college with no courses or credits / the Electoral College -- Part V: Can the President really do that? Pardon me? / presidential pardons ; "You're hired (Maybe.) You're fired! / the unitary executive -- Part VI: Who's running America? Knock, knock. Is anybody there? / continuity in government ; Is there a leader in the room? / presidential succession ; The duck's in charge, January 20 / Inauguration Day ; Part VII: Emergency! Emergency! At war / emergency powers ; At war with bugs / habeas corpus ; We can change it, right? / amending the Constitution -- Part VIII: Keeping pace with the times. Grading the Constitution / now what? -- A constitutional convention -- Articles and amendments.
    • Notes:
      Includes bibliographical references (pages 276-277).
    • Other Titles:
      Framers, their fights, and the flaws that affect us today.
    • ISBN:
      9781250211613
      1250211611
    • Accession Number:
      2019947763
    • Accession Number:
      on1123239149
      1123239149
    • Accession Number:
      fay.718124

Reviews

Booklist Reviews 2020 October #2

Did you know that Washington, DC, residents couldn't vote in presidential elections until 1961? Or that Montana's state constitution allows the lieutenant governor to step in as acting governor if the governor is absent from office for 45 days? These and other facts decorate Fault Lines in the Constitution as the authors juxtapose the original writing and ratifying of the U.S. Constitution with the troubling effects its clauses still present. The Levinsons create an approachable mix of anecdotes, comparisons with governments from around the world, and a fanciful imagining of the Framers frustratedly yelling and throwing their hands in the air. This tone, plus Shwed's intentionally limited color palette of mostly red, white, blue, black, and gold, calls to mind Schoolhouse Rock animations about the government, though this can occasionally lead to characters based on real people being tricky to identify. The report card at the end may be controversial, but the recommended reading list and inclusion of liberal and conservative objections make for a fair case about the need to examine and update this founding document. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.

PW Reviews 2020 August #1

This jaunty graphic adaptation of the Levinsons' 2017 youth guide to "the framers, their fights, and the flaws that affect us today" highlights the enduring problem points in the foundational document of the United States. Each chapter opens with real-life dilemmas that, according to the authors, stemmed from "crises we've faced since 1787 the limitations, ambiguities, and flatly bad ideas in the Constitution." The work is at its strongest in these personalized anecdotes, such as an elderly woman disenfranchised by voter ID laws and an undocumented immigrant's fight for legal status, but focus gets lost as 21 chapters race to cram in examples of how the Constitution impacts contemporary America in matter ranging from gerrymandering to farm subsidies. Shwed's crisp layouts and cute character design manage to make the information overload more digestible, while Gerardo Alba's red-white-and-blue color palette provides even the driest topics some pop. The Levinsons can be credited with a mountain of research and noble aims. But while it may appeal to students eager to avoid a standard textbook slog, the combination of dense text and rambling focus proves less accessible than the comics treatment promises. All the elements for a timely resource are here, but the result feels a touch underbaked. (Sept.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly.