Constitutions Books

The Constitution of the United States of America, with the Bill of Rights and all of the Amendments; The Declaration of Independence; and the Articles of Confederation

Thomas Jefferson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Copyright page is arrogant! 2 out of 5 stars.
12 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This Constitution is published by Wilder Publications. The copyright page says this:

"This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before allowing them to read this classic work."

I don't know what to make of that. If it says what I think it says I think I want a Constitution from another publisher! That statement seems to say that the Publisher is telling us how to read it! They are saying that it's principles couldn't possibly mean the same thing today! What arrogance! I hope they don't mean these things but how can I not come to these conclusions?

Editorial Review:

Collected here in one affordable volume are the most important documents of the United States of America: The Constitution of the United States of America, with the Bill of Rights and all of the Amendments; The Declaration of Independence; and the Articles of Confederation. These three documents are the basis for our entire way of life. Every citizen should have a copy.

Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals

Shane Claiborne, Chris Haw

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very Disturbing 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

"It ain't the parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." -Sam Clemens, aka Mark Twain.

I entirely disagree with many of the conclusions reached in this book. I'm just not sure which ones yet.

The beginning montage was the story of my life, sort of. I picked this book up because it looked interesting.

...and then Shane and Chris challenged exactly everything I believe in, except the existence of God and His nature as a loving Father. They challenged even my identity as an American (excuse me, citizen of the United States), calling "my country" the Empire - Rome, in fact. The beast. And utterly antithetical to the Kingdom of God. I'd been listening to the Bible on CD (The Word of Promise), and a lot of what they were saying jived with what Jesus said. They challenged the way I live life.

I say this of them: Chris and Shane have taken belief in Christ in a real way, where one actually.. you know.. believes what He said... they have taken it to a very radical conclusion. Their anti-war position has not completely convinced me, but it has made me rethink my position.

Make no mistake, I want Jesus for President. I want to share this book. I'm not sure I agree with the authors' conclusion, but "J4P" rocked my very nice and cozy American world. I also recommend Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It too is quite disturbing.

Editorial Review:

Amid all the buzz of politics and elections, Jesus for President is a refreshing reminder that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in the Jesus who gave his life for us. Politics for ordinary radicals who want to love the world into the kingdom of God.

The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to the Constitution (Politically Incorrect Guides)

Kevin R. C. Gutzman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good in the areas it addresses but too narrow in scope 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 6 people found this review helpful.

The areas that this book covers are generally covered well; however, I was hoping for a book that was broader in scope. It really ought to be called "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Judicial Tyranny" or something to that effect as this is the area that the author focuses the most on.

He did do a good job covering judicial tyranny and explaining how the judicial branch has far exceeded the power the Founding Fathers intended it to have. He also provides an excellent overview of the history of the Constitution and the various conventions, which I learned a great deal from.

However, legislative and executive tyranny and abuse of the Constitution only receive brief mentions; for example, he addresses some of Abraham Lincoln's more blatant violations of the Constitution and does a good job covering the problem of secession but doesn't address more contemporary Constitutional issues like the PATRIOT Act, military commissions, secret prisons, and undeclared wars. These are some of the most hotly contested issues in Constitutional law right now and there have been several court rulings on them, so the book would've been more relevant if these issues had been addressed.

Another issue I was surprised the author omitted was the whole issue of Constitutional interpretation, which I consider a serious problem with the book. He simply assumes originalism without explaining or defending it, and he doesn't really distinguish between the different kinds of textualism (textualism vs. authorial intent). Given his intended audience, there's a pretty good chance that many people will either not understand originalism or disagree with it outright (e.g. proponents of the "living Constitution" theory of interpretation), so he really should have addressed this.

With that said, this book is still very informative and provides an important perspective on a number of issues, so it receives my recommendation.

Editorial Review:

In The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution, readers will follow the Supreme Court as it uses the Constitution as a fig leaf to cover its blatant seizing of the people's right to govern themselves through elections. Gutzman unveils the radical inconsistency between constitutional law and the rule of law, and shows why and how the Supreme Court should be reined in to the proper role assigned to it by the Founders.

The Invisible Constitution (Inalienable Rights)

Laurence H. Tribe

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

As everyone knows, the United States Constitution is a tangible, visible document. Many see it in fact as a sacred text, holding no meaning other than that which is clearly visible on the page. Yet as renowned legal scholar Laurence Tribe shows, what is not written in the Constitution plays a key role in its interpretation. Indeed some of the most contentious Constitutional debates of our time hinge on the extent to which it can admit of divergent readings.
In The Invisible Constitution, Tribe argues that there is an unseen constitution--impalpable but powerful--that accompanies the parchment version. It is the visible document's shadow, its dark matter: always there and possessing some of its key meanings and values despite its absence on the page. As Tribe illustrates, some of our most cherished and widely held beliefs about constitutional rights are not part of the written document, but can only be deduced by piecing together hints and clues from it. Moreover, some passages of the Constitution do not even hold today despite their continuing existence. Amendments may have fundamentally altered what the Constitution originally said about slavery and voting rights, yet the old provisos about each are still in the text, unrevised. Through a variety of historical episodes and key constitutional cases, Tribe brings to life this invisible constitution, showing how it has evolved and how it works. Detailing its invisible structures and principles, Tribe compellingly demonstrates the invisible constitution's existence and operative power.
Remarkably original, keenly perceptive, and written with Tribe's trademark analytical flair, this latest volume in Oxford's Inalienable Rights series offers a new way of understanding many of the central constitutional debates of our time.

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

DOI & Constitution, No More No Less 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This little book which is compact enough to be carried in your back pants pocket has a terrific intro by the Cato Institute. Beyond that, it is just what it says it is - no more no less. For $5, an excellent value. Every American should read this & carry it with them, & the most patriotic among us, do. It may come as quite a surprise to many who do read it (sadly, most who pick up this book probably already have, & those who need to, won't) that there is nothing in it allowing the federal government to provide health care, welfare, social security or education, to wire tap, to arbitrarily take away our civil liberties (before, during, or after a "national emergency") or protect "family values." All are unconstitutional. But don't take my word for it. See for yourself & buy the book.

Essential to Have Around 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

At about 2/3 the height of a mass-market paperback book and a trim 58 pages, the only real disadvantage to this collection of America's most important documents is that, if you shelve it on your bookshelf, it may get lost. It is a tiny book, meaning that it's not bogged down by a ponderous introduction or tedious analyses. It contains just the Declaration and the Constitution themselves, as well as a concise and informative introduction. It's really the book to buy if you just want to have the Founding Fathers' documents plain and simple. And read it every few years, just to get a sense of what principles America was built on. These documents should always be the basis of any intelligent discussion about American politics.

Editorial Review:

A pocket edition of America's founding documents.

The U.S. Constitution: And Fascinating Facts About It

Terry L. Jordan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Small and Easy to Use 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

You can't really write a review about the Constitution! But I can tell you that this little book is not too difficult on the eyes, easy to use and simple for carrying to class. It doesn't weigh much in a pocket or a backpack, and this is the version I've used throughout my grad-school days. And after several years of thumbing through it, the book still hasn't fallen apart!

US Constitution and Bill of Rights 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A very conveniently sized book that can be easily put into your pocket and places two of our country's most important documents within easy reach. I teach ESOL and I buy multiple copies so I can make sure that all my students can have a copy as they will hopefully begin studying for their US citizenship. Not only are the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence in this book but also little known facts of our founding fathers, notes on famous Supreme Court decisions, Articles of Confederation, etc.

What's a matter with you. Not having a knowledge of the US Constitution???? 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Get this. It's thorough. I read it many times over. It keeps things in perspective of where we should be as a nation.
Sigh!
Tom

Editorial Review:

Features the entire text of The U.S Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, plus much more!

The Heritage Guide to the Constitution

Edwin Meese, Matthew Spalding, David F. Forte

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Marvelous Book! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Every American Citizen should read this book. Understanding the relationship between citizenship and the rules by which the people authorize governance are very well described. With the press for democracy in the world, we tend to forget that the United States is not a democracy but a republic. Likewise, compliance with the Constitution prevents the establishment of an aristocracy. With the current arrogance of elected officials, we as a people have an obligation to become better informed on the roots of our sovereign law (which comes from the people) and what should be enforced; and that enforcement comes from our knowledge of the Constitution! The Heritage Foundation has done a superb service for all Americans in preparing this guide!

Editorial Review:

This guide is the first of its kind, and presents the U.S. Constitution as never before, including a clause-by-clause analysis of the document, each amendment and relevant court case, and the documents that serve as the foundation of the Constitution.

The Faith of Barack Obama

Stephen Mansfield

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Total reviews: 67 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Get inside the mind and soul of Barack Obama

In The Faith of Barack Obama, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Mansfield takes readers inside the mind, heart, and soul of presidential hopeful Barack Obama—as a person of faith, as a man, as an American, and possibly as our future commander in chief.

America faces looming inflation, climate change, a national credit crisis, war in the Middle East, threats to security and liberty at home, and skyrocketing oil and gas prices.

With all of these threats to our security, prosperity and freedom on the horizon, it has never been more important to choose the right leader for America.

“If a man’s faith is sincere, it is the most important thing about him, and it is impossible to understand who he is and how he will lead without first understanding the religious vision that informs his life,” writes Mansfield.

In The Faith of Barack Obama, Mansfield holds back nothing to share that vision and explain its roots, including:

• Obama’s upbringing in a non-Christian home
• the influence on his life from his agnostic mother and Muslim father
• his remarkable turn to Christianity after working in the inner cities of Chicago
• his years at the controversial Trinity United Church of Christ
• his association to the radical teachings of Rev. Jeremiah Wright
• the source of Obama’s relentless optimism and hope for America

Every American voter concerned to know more about Obama’s beliefs, both religious and political, and how the two intertwine should read this book, as should every thinking person who continues to shape and evolve his or her religious beliefs.

Barack Obama, according to Mansfield, is “raising the banner of what he hopes will be the faith-based politics of a new generation . . . and he will carry that banner to whatever heights of power his God and the American people allow.”

“You must read this perceptive and well written book. Then you will know why Barack Obama has such a passion for justice and equity, such a gift for filling people of different generations with a newfound hope that things can and will change for the better.”

—ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU

The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church

Gregory A. Boyd

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Total reviews: 64 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Myth Busted!! 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Gregory A. Boyd's controversial work is actually a collection of a series of sermons he gave at his church, Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The title reads like a historical treatment, but is actually a call to practice spirituality outside of the realms of nationality and politics.

Boyd develops two premises: he describes the Kingdom of the Sword, which is the mindset of the world, and the Kingdom of the Cross, which is a mindset that resembles Christ. He proposes that we have become to entrenched in the Kingdom of the Sword, and cannot see the way that Christ has shown us, i.e. the Kingdom of the Cross.

Boyd also empahsizes that being Christian means to follow and look like Christ. Therefore, a Christian nation should follow and look like Christ. The question is asked: does America bear fruit? Does this nation have a history of following and looking like Christ? Comparisons to Israel are made, but not in the usual "city on a hill" way. Boyd destroys the perception of America as moral guardian, instead pointing readers to the Bible as the authority on sin. There is also a question and answer format in the last chapter, discussing many of the tough questions he has been asked over the course of presenting these sermons.

This is a good book to read, especially in such politically dividing times. Boyd approaches the topic humbly, realizing that he still has room to grow. He doesn't claim to have mastered or even reached the lofty goals he proposes, but instead relies on the grace of God to eventually carry him to their end.

Originally posted at http://scandaloussanity.blogspot.com

Editorial Review:

Arguing from Scripture and history, Dr. Boyd makes a compelling case that whenever the church gets too close to any political or national ideology, it is disastrous for the church and harmful to society. Dr. Boyd contends that the American Evangelical Church has allowed itself to be co-opted by the political right (and some by the political left) and exposes how this is harming the church’s unique calling to build the kingdom of God. In the course of his argument, Dr. Boyd challenges some of the most deeply held convictions of evangelical Christians in America – for example, that America is, or ever was, “a Christian nation” or that Christians ought to be trying to “take America back for God.”

Who Killed the Constitution?: The Fate of American Liberty from World War I to George W. Bush

Thomas E. Woods Jr., Kevin R. C. Gutzman

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Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

“Let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”
—Thomas Jefferson

The United States Constitution—the bedrock of our country, the foundation of our federal republic—is . . . dead.

You won’t hear that from the politicians who endlessly pay lip service to the Constitution. It’s the dirty little secret that bestselling authors Thomas E. Woods Jr. and Kevin R. C. Gutzman expose in this provocative new book. The fact is that government officials—Democrats and Republicans, presidents, judges, and congresses alike—long ago rejected the idea that the Constitution possesses a fixed meaning limiting the U.S. government’s power.

In case you’ve forgotten, this idea was not a minor aspect of the Constitution; it was the document’s very purpose.

Woods and Gutzman round up the suspects responsible for the death of the government the Founding Fathers designed. Going right to the scenes of the crimes, they dissect twelve of the most egregious assaults on the Constitution—some virtually unknown. In chronicling this “dirty dozen,” the authors show that the attacks began long before presidents declared preemptive wars, congresses built pork-barrel bridges to nowhere, and Supreme Court justices began to behave as our supreme legislators.

In Who Killed the Constitution? Woods and Gutzman

• REVEAL the federal government’s “great gold robbery”—the flagrant assault on the Constitution you never heard about in history class
• DESTROY the phony case for presidential war power
• EXPOSE how the federal government has actively discriminated to end . . . discrimination
• TEAR DOWN the “wall of separation” between church and state—an invention that completely contradicts what the Constitution says
• DARE to touch the “third rail of American jurisprudence,” Brown v. Board of Education—showing why a government decision that seems “right” isn’t necessarily constitutional

Never shying away from controversy, Woods and Gutzman reveal an unsettling but unavoidable truth: now that the federal government has broken free of the Constitution’s chains, government officials are restrained by little more than their sense of what they can get away with.

Who Killed the Constitution? is a rallying cry for Americans outraged by government run amok and a warning to take heed before we lose the liberties we are truly entitled to.