The People's Guide to the United States Constitution - Hardcover
Now you can fully comprehend the meaning of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Nearly anyone can read this easy-to-understand annotated version of America's founding documents. Every difficult word or phrase is followed by a simple definition; every complex concept or clause is fully explained.
In The People's Guide to the United States Constitution: Everything You Need to Know in One Easy Read the reader is also shown why the Constitution was written and how it continues to affect the lives of Americans today. There is a brief history of the events leading up to our separation from Great Britain, the text of the Declaration of Independence (with appropriate explanations), and a short history of the Constitution with a brief summary of it. Also included are summaries of various landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court that have shaped our interpretation of the document.
In The People's Guide to the United States Constitution: Everything You Need to Know in One Easy Read the reader is also shown why the Constitution was written and how it continues to affect the lives of Americans today. There is a brief history of the events leading up to our separation from Great Britain, the text of the Declaration of Independence (with appropriate explanations), and a short history of the Constitution with a brief summary of it. Also included are summaries of various landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court that have shaped our interpretation of the document.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Publisher:
Dave Kluge's "citizen self-education" in the Constitution began while the Director of Legal Affairs for a leading software company. Later, as the Director of Corporate Training and Education, he brought his experiences together on a book making the Constitution easily accessible to all. Dave lives in Los Angeles with his wife where he is writing a book on economics.
From the Author:
What Would America Be Like If Everyone Read and Understood the U.S. Constitution?
Some years ago, I was watching a presidential debate on TV and the three leading candidates each contradicted each other regarding a point in our U.S. Constitution. No one seemed to notice the discrepancy, including the moderator and candidates. I realized I had no idea which of the candidates were right and wondered how many people did. That's when it struck me: the Constitution is the very backbone of our country; a document we live and die for yet I had little knowledge of its actual content. That's when I began my quest to read and understand the U.S. Constitution.
Like myself, most people cannot assimilate the Constitution because of its difficult terms and old-fashioned language. After much study, I worked my way through the 200-year-old language and discovered all of our basic rights as Americans are, in fact, clearly laid out in this historic document. These are broadly stated rights and are open to interpretation. That's why the our Founding Fathers also called for the establishment of the Supreme Court whose job it is to interpret the Constitution.
Noah Webster defines "constitution" as an agreement that sets in place a system of fundamental principles for the government of rational and social beings. A constitution, you might say, lays out the basic rules of the game for people who want freedom for themselves and others.
Written to guarantee the rights of individuals and provide a framework for cooperation, the United States Constitution protects those rights. The result has been, in many ways, the most successful and prosperous society in history. But what might happen if the players forget the rules of the game? Chaos, arguments, people making up their own rules. If we do not understand what the Constitution actually says, we could give up our rights and not even know it.
In the late 1780s, when the Constitution was being debated and then adopted by the States, newspapers printed its entire text. At that time, people read the document and had strong opinions about its meaning. When I completed my study of the Constitution, I wondered how many others had read it?
I personally went out on the streets and asked people, "Have you read the U.S. Constitution?" Most said no or had read it so long ago, they couldn't remember it. I asked, "Would you like to read the U.S. Constitution?" Almost everyone said yes. Encouraged, I then asked, "What would it be like to live in a country where everyone had read and understood the U.S. Constitution?" People of all ages and groups said there would be more respect and cooperation, the government would protect--not violate--our rights and we would work together to make the country a better place to live. They also felt if people did not read the Constitution, there would be confusion, anarchy and fighting--much of what is going on in this country now.
I would like to see as much interest and care in the Constitution now as when it was debated and signed in the 1780s. The Constitution is the document that established our government. It lays out the rules of the game of being an American. It spells out our rights and how to protect them. What kind of football game would be played if the majority of its players had not understood the rules of game?
Everyone should read and understand the United States Constitution.
Some years ago, I was watching a presidential debate on TV and the three leading candidates each contradicted each other regarding a point in our U.S. Constitution. No one seemed to notice the discrepancy, including the moderator and candidates. I realized I had no idea which of the candidates were right and wondered how many people did. That's when it struck me: the Constitution is the very backbone of our country; a document we live and die for yet I had little knowledge of its actual content. That's when I began my quest to read and understand the U.S. Constitution.
Like myself, most people cannot assimilate the Constitution because of its difficult terms and old-fashioned language. After much study, I worked my way through the 200-year-old language and discovered all of our basic rights as Americans are, in fact, clearly laid out in this historic document. These are broadly stated rights and are open to interpretation. That's why the our Founding Fathers also called for the establishment of the Supreme Court whose job it is to interpret the Constitution.
Noah Webster defines "constitution" as an agreement that sets in place a system of fundamental principles for the government of rational and social beings. A constitution, you might say, lays out the basic rules of the game for people who want freedom for themselves and others.
Written to guarantee the rights of individuals and provide a framework for cooperation, the United States Constitution protects those rights. The result has been, in many ways, the most successful and prosperous society in history. But what might happen if the players forget the rules of the game? Chaos, arguments, people making up their own rules. If we do not understand what the Constitution actually says, we could give up our rights and not even know it.
In the late 1780s, when the Constitution was being debated and then adopted by the States, newspapers printed its entire text. At that time, people read the document and had strong opinions about its meaning. When I completed my study of the Constitution, I wondered how many others had read it?
I personally went out on the streets and asked people, "Have you read the U.S. Constitution?" Most said no or had read it so long ago, they couldn't remember it. I asked, "Would you like to read the U.S. Constitution?" Almost everyone said yes. Encouraged, I then asked, "What would it be like to live in a country where everyone had read and understood the U.S. Constitution?" People of all ages and groups said there would be more respect and cooperation, the government would protect--not violate--our rights and we would work together to make the country a better place to live. They also felt if people did not read the Constitution, there would be confusion, anarchy and fighting--much of what is going on in this country now.
I would like to see as much interest and care in the Constitution now as when it was debated and signed in the 1780s. The Constitution is the document that established our government. It lays out the rules of the game of being an American. It spells out our rights and how to protect them. What kind of football game would be played if the majority of its players had not understood the rules of game?
Everyone should read and understand the United States Constitution.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherBirch Lane Pr
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 1559722185
- ISBN 13 9781559722186
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages160
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The People's Guide to the United States Constitution
Published by
Birch Lane Pr
(1994)
ISBN 10: 1559722185
ISBN 13: 9781559722186
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Hardcover
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