The Lost Constitution

Yes, there's a 'lost' copy of the US Constitution which is a big deal all by itself. To make things more interesting, this copy of the Constitution is annotated with notes by the Founding Farthers, any ot all of which could impact current interpretation, in particular interpretation of the 2nd amendment. At least that's the premise of the book.What follows is about 500 pages of chases, murders, hoistage taking, lies, media manipulating mogals and general mayhem along with a few surprises interspersed with really facinating information about New England life from the late 18th century to today. That's where the problems are.After the first generation of the family, the book needs a geneological chart to follow the family of a seeming inexhaustable number of characters who have had contact with the 'Lost' copy. Granted the author is dealing with 230 year timeline but very soon the 'begots' catch up, leaving you wondering who begot whom and when and in some cases why. To make matters worse, this is not one big happy family. The family tree becomes quite convoluted after the first generation or two.and soon you end up scratching your head.I do think the book could have used tighter editing but be that as it may, the story itself is rather interesting. Just imagine the impact today should such a document be found, which brings me to another problem. The climax comes at you pretty fast, so fast in fact that it leaves you wondering, "what just happened". In fact I'd say the ending is a 'cop out', too simple and too easy almost like the author did a page count and decided the book had to end.Likei i said the book had some good parts, unfortunately, they were too few and too far between

Bill Martin delivers the goods with an A+ effort. Peter Fallon, Martin's favorite alterego, once again leads us on a merry chase through history. This time the focus is on the Constitution. Martin is able to demonstrate how this document is insinuated in the fabric of our history as well as our everyday thinking. He prods us to ponder on what was the process that lead to a brief yet all encompassing document that stitched together a nation.The story portrays little publicized historical nuggets such as the raid on St. Albans. Martin touches on aspects and applications of the Constitution that help form a framework to consider modern contitutional issues. Most importantly, he shows us that the document is alive.All the history aside, the story is a sleigh ride of adventure. This is perhaps the quickest paced book since Nerve Endings. The story pulls one through. I found myself pushing the book away so that I could consider the two sides of all Bill Martin's tales, the facts and the story. It is a must reread for me and should make a great beach book. The reach of this book should extend to every American or want-to-be American.Congratulations to Bill. My only wish is that he could publish more often, however, the detailed work make each new book a joy.

William Martin is a master at this, and his Peter Fallon series is the best. This is one of these books where it's impossible to go to sleep at night, because you MUST find out what happens next.

The Lost Constitution--Wow! What a Ride! Intrigue, politics, sex, power, love, and a passion for freedom intertwine and roller coaster through three centuries of American life. Mr. Martin's SUPERB research brings alive the founding fathers, the colonies, the Civil War Era, and so much more--but this is no dry history lesson. This is an adventure of ideas and daring where characters you care about put it all on the line for reasons you also care about. Peter Fallon adventures may be underappreciated compared to the popular comic-book quests for historical artifacts. Comic books have their place, but, for me, The Lost Constitution is as believable as those other stories are not. I guess it's a matter of what kind of ride the reader wants. With William Martin's seductive coupling of fact and fiction, books like The Lost Constitution are so much more effective--so much more transportive--and that's what this reader wants. The characters and plot grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I'm a careful, deliberate reader, but I finished the 640 paperback pages in less than a week. Oh, and have I mentioned that the ideas motivating the characters in this book are as interesting as the plot is fun? Don't miss this book. Better yet, buy The Lost Constitution and Martin's new book, "City of Dreams," and read them in that order. Enjoy! I sure did.

How can you not like a book where the underdog wins? The Lost Constitution begins with a ragtag bunch of farmers with strong beliefs, beating the powerful British and winning the Revolutionary War, and ends up with the Red Sox finally winning the World Series. Oops, did I just give away the ending?The story sets up centuries apart and focuses on the document that sets us, as a nation, apart from all other nations. And then William Martin squeezes me through American history with a wonderful style that not only captivates but also teaches.I thought William's insight into the underbelly of the different time periods was a pleasurable mixture of humor, pain and anguish. And, though I wasn't there back then, I believe he nailed it. Each scene and character pulled me in.His flawed protagonists, Peter and Evangeline, are the perfect pair, relentless in their search for the Lost Constitution, but warm, caring and a bit naïve, which gives another dimension to the book.Never having been to New England, I enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery from the pristine countryside of New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, etc. to Fenway Park.William Martin is a fine craftsman.