Anastaplo, one of America's leading scholars on law and the Constitution, offers a profound study of the history of slavery and American constitutional law. In this fourth volume in his ambitious ten-part series of 'constitutional sonnets,' Anastaplo argues that a thorough analysis of the history and development of constitutional law and slavery can help readers better understand the state of race relations in the US today. He also maintains that a commitment to understanding fully the language and history of the Constitution can help US society overcome seemingly intractable political and social conflict. In the present volume, Anastaplo largely succeeds in achieving these goals. Although the history of slavery in America is a well-trodden subject, Anastaplo builds a compelling narrative by tightly binding the slavery issue to American constitutionalism, while drawing on a diverse range of supporting materials, including literature, sociology, philosophy, history, political science, and law. In the end, Anastaplo makes a compelling case that the Northern victory in the Civil War was not just a vindication of the strength of the Union, but also a vindication of the enduring strength of constitutional principles. Summing Up: Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews

George Anastaplo has lived a long life and made a noted career out of playing by his own rules, and that independent streak is on full display in this book.

The Review of Politics

Condemnation of slavery in the United States is a field well plowed. Non-the-less George Anastaplo's fourth volume in his 'constitutional Sonnets' series is a fresh and welcome addition. Reflections on Slavery and the Constitution demonstrates once again that he is one of the most sensitive scholarly interpreters of the Constitution. In the manner of his teacher Leo Strauss, Anastaplo lays bare the roots of the human and political tragedy that encompassed the introduction of slavery, the defense of slavery, and the defeat of slavery.

John A. Murley