Jesse Wegman: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution

The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution — Jesse Wegman — Celadon Books — 384 pages — $30.00 — June 23, 2026 — ebook versions available at lower prices

It is fairly mind-boggling that few Americans know the name or the story of James Wilson. He was a crucial “founding father” of the US Constitution whose influence in American history is incredibly important.

I think of myself as pretty well educated and I have spent a fair amount of time during my life learning about American history.I am sure I have run across James Wilson’s name at some time, but I never knew anything about his life or his involvement with the writing of both the Declaration of Independence and the US. Constitution. It turns out that he played a major part in the drafting the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and is one of only six who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution itself.

Jesse Wegman’s book is a masterful work of history I found impossible to put down. I do not like staying up late into the night to read anymore. I work hard and I need my sleep. But this book kept me reading until I was finished with it, and I was never once bored by Wegman’s storytelling of Wilson’s colorful and difficult life. This is a man who contributed as much as any of those we consider the “giants” of the founding of America as an actual country instead of the loose confederation of competing states it started out to be. In some ways, he made a greater impact than anyone else. His dedication to the concept of “We the People” and the idea that government can come only from the people is crucial to who we are as a country.

Wilson’s accomplishments during the heated period from which an actual country emerged, are surprising to learn about, especially since he has literally disappeared from American history. There are reasons why his contributions have not been recognized. He died as an early Supreme Court justice while hiding out in the malaria infested North Carolina coast to escape the law and his creditors. ,His misadventures as a greedy real estate speculator tainted his reputation. His early demise allowed other figures of that time to move to the forefront. First-hand histories of the founding years of American democracy were written by the longer-lived, better appreciated survivors. Wilson was written out of their narratives.

It was a distinct pleasure and a great honor to have the opportunity to speak with Jesse about this book. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed participating in it with him.

Jesse Wegman is a Senior Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, where he writes about Supreme Court reform and constitutional amendments. From 2013 to 2025, he was a member of the New York Times editorial board, covering law and politics, the Supreme Court, democracy, and electoral reforms.

I am planning to read his previous book, Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College, a subject I have strong feelings about myself.

(Ironically, we have the Electoral College because of the need for compromise during the Constitutional Convention. In fact, James Wilson proposed it. His first choice for direct election of the president by the people could not gain support of the majority of the delegates. The Electoral College was a better choice than their even more regressive alternatives).

“Jesse Wegman has written a gripping and deeply researched work of American history. Scottish immigrant, signer of both the Declaration and the Constitution, and the man who coined ‘We the People,’ James Wilson believed that power resided in the people themselves, foreseeing a democratic future the country is still struggling to achieve. That he died broke and largely forgotten, his headstone bearing the wrong date of his death, is one of American history’s more painful ironies. The Lost Founder restores Wilson to his rightful place and challenges us to reconsider what popular sovereignty really means.”
—Ken Burns, award-winning documentary filmmaker and director of PBS’ The American Revolution

Jesse Wegman at the Brennan Center website.

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Thom Hartmann: The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America

The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America – Thom Hartmann – ISBN 9781523085941 – Berrett-Koehler Publishers – Paperback – 192 pages – $15.00 – October 1, 2019 – ebook versions available at lower prices

“Hartmann delivers a full-throated indictment of the U.S. Supreme Court in this punchy polemic.” —Publishers Weekly

This is a really important (and very short) book – so you have no excuse not to read it – no matter how busy you are.

Thom Hartmann has been a popular progressive radio host for years. In this book, he carefully and succinctly explains how the Supreme Court has gone far beyond its actual Constitutionally derived powers and provides some cogent guidance on how we can change it.

In the beginning, and until 1803, the Supreme Court was simply viewed as the final court of appeals in the judicial system, the branch of government with the least power of the three set forth in the Constitution. So we have to find out how did the concept of judicial review start, and as Hartmann points out, it began with the battle between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, with the now well-known case known as Marbury v. Madison.

It is Hartmann’s view, and he argues persuasively, that it is not the role of the Supreme Court to decide what the law is, but rather the duty of the people through the legislative branch. He summarizes the history of the Supreme Court, giving some important examples of cases where the Supreme Court appears to have overstepped its constitutional authority.

So much of our history and beliefs about this country are mystified by a sort of glorification of a romanticized and suspect view of the Constitution and the powers of our branches of government. The Supreme Court today reflects the concerted effort of a small segment of society to control and reduce democratic principles and practices that would harm their interests. Hartmann’s book is an essential and very handy guide for anyone who would like to explore what we can do to rein in the power of the courts and increase democracy in our country. If you read Nancy McLean’s Democracy Unchained, as I hope you have, or if you are simply interested in both protecting and expanding democracy in our country, then reading this book is essential.

Buy the book from RJ Julia bookstore here.

Thom Hartmann is a progressive syndicated talk show host whose shows are available in over a half-billion homes worldwide. He’s the New York Times bestselling, 4-times Project Censored Award-winning author of 24 books in print. His radio show is syndicated on for-profit FM and AM radio stations nationally, on non-profit and community stations nationwide by Pacifica, across the entire North American continent on SiriusXM Satellite radio, on cable systems nationwide by Cable Radio Network (CRN), via subscription audio podcasts, worldwide through the US Armed Forces Network, and through the Thom Hartmann iOS and Android apps. Visit Thom’s own website to learn more about his work and many useful books.

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