'The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation'

A comic book version of the Constitution may seem a bit beyond the pail, perhaps even irreverent, but Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell's "The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation" is sparkling and rich.

Beginning with a concise but solid explanation of why the Articles of Confederation had to be junked, Hennessey and McConnell move at a measured pace through the articles of the Constitution, explaining how each works with regard to states' rights, the rights of individuals and the national interest.

Interesting sidelights and explanations enrich the text, such as the fact that although Congress alone has the power to declare war, the last three declarations of war would not be Korea, Vietnam and Iraq -- but Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria six months after the United States' entry into World War II. The flaws in the Constitution are fairly explicated in this graphic text, primarily its acceptance of slavery and protections provided to slaveholders, but the pure genius of the Constitution makes itself apparent as well, and it is a beauty to behold in both text and pictures.

It does take several panels to figure out that the men in suits with monumental buildings replacing their heads represent Congress (the U.S. Capitol) and the President (the White House). And because most of us think of the Constitution in terms of the Bill of Rights, it is disconcerting not to run across them immediately even though they are exactly where they should be as the first 10 amendments.

But these are minor quibbles concerning a unique and enlightening overview of the fount of our governance.

'Abraham Lincoln'

Many fine new Lincoln texts have emerged during his bicentennial year, but "Abraham Lincoln" by renowned Civil War scholar James M. McPherson is a gem of the highest quality, both in size and content.

Weighing in at only 65 pages (minus bibliography and notes), this book nevertheless distills the essence of Lincoln, detailing his life and thought with a spare, beautiful prose seldom met.

Lincoln's own travails, his losses of loved ones, his distaste for his father and his father's ways, his internal conflict over his hatred of slavery versus his oath to support the Constitution are all considered here with exemplary scholarship and deep affection. Perfect reading for the Fourth of July.

• Laura Wadley is a librarian with the Provo City Library. E-mail her at lauraw@provo.lib.ut.us.