A Machine That Would Go of Itself: The Constitution in American Culture

A Machine That Would Go of Itself examines how Americans have understood, interpreted, and related to the U.S. Constitution from 1787 to the modern era. The book traces the evolution of constitutional consciousness through analysis of political discourse, popular culture, education, and civic rituals. Kammen documents the changing ways Americans have viewed their founding document - from a mechanical framework of government to a sacred text requiring preservation and protection. He draws on extensive research including newspapers, school textbooks, political cartoons, public ceremonies, and legal decisions to show how constitutional understanding has shifted over time. The narrative follows key historical moments and controversies that shaped public perception of the Constitution, including debates over states' rights, civil rights movements, and expansion of federal power. Kammen presents perspectives from politicians, judges, educators, and citizens to create a multi-layered view of constitutional culture. This cultural history reveals how interpretations of the Constitution reflect deeper patterns in American identity and highlights tensions between reverence for tradition and demands for progress. The metaphor of a self-perpetuating machine serves as a lens for examining the complex relationship between Americans and their foundational legal document.

Readers appreciate Kammen's examination of how Americans view and interpret the Constitution across different time periods. Many note the book provides context for current constitutional debates by showing how interpretations evolved. Positive comments focus on: - Detailed research and primary sources - Clear explanations of complex legal concepts - Analysis of how the Constitution appears in popular culture - Coverage of both scholarly and public perspectives Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Too much focus on minutiae - Repetitive examples - Length could be shortened without losing key points One reader noted: "Kammen documents every possible reference to the Constitution in American life - perhaps too thoroughly." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) JSTOR: Multiple positive academic reviews Several academic journals praise its scholarship while acknowledging it requires focused reading. Law professors frequently assign selected chapters rather than the full text.

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🔷 The book's title comes from James Russell Lowell's 1888 speech in which he described the Constitution as "a machine that would go of itself," highlighting Americans' faith in the document as a self-perpetuating system. 📚 Michael Kammen won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1973 for his book "People of Paradox: An Inquiry Concerning the Origins of American Civilization," seven years before writing this constitutional history. ⚖️ The book explores how the Constitution transformed from a relatively obscure legal document in the early republic to an almost sacred text in American culture by the 20th century. 🎨 Kammen's research includes analysis of popular culture items like political cartoons, advertising, and textbooks to show how Americans have interpreted and understood the Constitution over time. 🗽 The work reveals how different groups throughout American history have used the Constitution to justify opposing viewpoints, showing its role as both a unifying symbol and a source of political conflict.