The Second Founding

In this compelling audiobook, Pulitzer Prize-winning scholar Eric Foner explores the historical evolution of constitutional amendments that aimed to enshrine equality in American law following the Civil War. Detailing the transformative Reconstruction amendments, he highlights their initial victories, such as the abolition of slavery and guarantees of due process and voting rights, while also documenting their gradual erosion through Supreme Court decisions and state actions leading to the Jim Crow era. Foner's insightful narrative serves as a reminder of the ongoing political challenges to fundamental rights, urging listeners to remain informed and vigilant in safeguarding equality.