The Best Constitutional Law Books of All Time

Finalist, ABA Silver Gavel Award for Books. The New York Times bestseller that has cemented Elie Mystal’s reputation as one of our sharpest and most acerbic legal minds. “After reading Allow Me to Retort, I want Elie Mystal to explain everything I don’t understand—quantum astrophysics, the infield fly rule, why people think Bob Dylan is a good singer . . .” —Michael Harriot, The Root. Allow Me to Retort is an easily digestible argument about what rights we have, what rights Republicans are trying to take away, and how to stop them.

Mystal explains how to protect the rights of women and people of color instead of cowering to the absolutism of gun owners and bigots. He explains the legal way to stop everything from police brutality to political gerrymandering, just by changing a few judges and justices. He strips out all of the fancy jargon conservatives like to hide behind and lays bare the truth of their project to keep America forever tethered to its slaveholding past. Mystal brings his trademark humor, expertise, and rhetorical flair to explain concepts like substantive due process and the right for the LGBTQ community to buy a cake, and to arm readers with the knowledge to defend themselves against conservatives who want everybody to live under the yoke of eighteenth-century white men. The same tactics Mystal uses to defend the idea of a fair and equal society on MSNBC and CNN are in this book, for anybody who wants to deploy them on social media. You don’t need to be a legal scholar to understand your own rights. You don’t need to accept the “whites only” theory of equality pushed by conservative judges. You can read this book to understand that the Constitution is trash, but doesn’t have to be.

A history of the American Constitution's formative decades from a preeminent legal scholar. When the US Constitution won popular approval in 1788, it was the culmination of thirty years of passionate argument over the nature of government. But ratification hardly ended the conversation. For the next half century, ordinary Americans and statesmen alike continued to wrestle with weighty questions in the halls of government and in the pages of newspapers. Should the nation's borders be expanded? Should America allow slavery to spread westward? What rights should Indian nations hold? What was the proper role of the judicial branch?

In The Words that Made Us, Akhil Reed Amar unites history and law in a vivid narrative of the biggest constitutional questions early Americans confronted, and he expertly assesses the answers they offered. His account of the document's origins and consolidation is a guide for anyone seeking to properly understand America's Constitution today.

Do you know what the Constitution ACTUALLY says? This witty and highly relevant annotation of our founding document is the go-to guide to how our government really works (or is supposed to work). Written by political savant and entertainment veteran, Ben Sheehan, and vetted for accuracy by experts in the field of constitutional law, OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say? is an entertaining and accessible guide that explains what the Constitution actually lays out.

With clear notes and graphics on everything from presidential powers to Supreme Court nominations to hidden loopholes, Sheehan walks us through the entire Constitution from its preamble to its final amendment (with a bonus section on the Declaration of Independence). Besides putting the Constitution in modern-day English so that it can be understood, OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say? gives readers all of the info they need to be effective voters and citizens in the November elections and beyond.

It’s more important than ever for every American to know exactly what the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence actually says. Here is the essential, 45-page, pocket-size edition. Now a USA Today Bestseller! The greatest gifts from our Founding Fathers are the two most fundamental documents in American politics. This quick, easy reference for our federal government’s structure, powers, and limitations includes:. The Constitution of the United StatesThe Bill of RightsAll Amendments to the ConstitutionThe Declaration of Independence.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or independent, whether you are a support of Donald Trump or not, if you live and vote in the United States of America, you understand that The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence are two of the most important documents in American history. They convey the principles on which the country was founded and provide the ideals that still guide American politics today. Signed by the members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, The Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the federal government (executive branch, judicial branch, legislative branch), as well as the basic rights of the citizens of the United States (freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, etc.). The Declaration of Independence was crafted by Thomas Jefferson in June of 1776 and it provides the foundation of American political philosophy. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”. Collected here in one affordable, pocket-sized volume are some of the most valued pieces of writing in the history of our country. This edition contains The Constitution of the United States of America, including The Bill of Rights and all of the subsequent amendments, as well as The Declaration of Independence. These are word-for-word facsimiles of significant documents… Every American should own a copy.

National Bestseller. Don't lose your Constitutional rights. Learn them. Do you really want the crooked baby-kissers and fake news to tell you what your rights are? Wouldn't you rather discover them for yourself? The Founders fought tirelessly to guarantee these God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But let's face it—the Bill of Rights is hard to understand. Its text is flowery and puzzling. It's full of legal and political jargon. And without the right historical background, it's impossible to grasp the full meaning, importance, and scope of each of the amendments (and especially the second amendment).

This book is the shortcut. With it, you'll quickly reach a deep understanding of the Bill of Rights thanks to the precise definitions of key words, crucial historical contexts, and enlightening insights from the Founders and their peers. So, if you're . . . Struggling to understand the United States Bill of Rights . . . Wondering how it should apply to modern society . . . And maybe even doubting whether it should still be held as inviolable today, 230 years after its writing . . . . . . and if you want to discover what the two-faced corruptocrats and their media lackeys absolutely hate the most about our country and Constitution . . . . . . you want to read this book today. Scroll up, click the "buy" button now, and learn things most Americans will never know about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

**Discover the Roots of Liberty and the Birth of a Nation**. Unlock the true essence of American democracy with The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence by Paul B. Skousen. This definitive reference work combines the complete texts of these pivotal documents that shaped the United States while exploring the profound impact of the Founding Fathers, the American Revolution, and the principles of liberty, government, and constitutional law.

Featuring a captivating foreword by New York Times best-selling author Dan Clark, this book sets the stage for an engaging and enlightening journey as you delve into the profound significance of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. With his renowned expertise in understanding and interpreting the Constitution, acclaimed Constitutional scholar Paul Skousen provides an authoritative analysis of these foundational texts. Immerse yourself in the historical context of the American Revolution, as Skousen unveils the extraordinary stories of the visionary Founding Fathers who forged a path toward liberty. The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence serves as a captivating window into the birth of a nation. Explore the intricate details of these landmark documents, delving into the principles of individual liberty, the structure of government, and the profound significance of constitutional law. Skousen expertly guides readers through the texts, providing insights into the Founding Fathers' original intent while offering clarity on subsequent amendments that shaped their meaning. This comprehensive guide ensures a deep understanding of the constitutional foundations that underpin the United States. Gain a clear perspective on the relationship between government and individual rights, and explore the enduring relevance of these documents in contemporary society. Skousen's meticulous research and compelling analysis shed light on the timeless principles shaping American governance. The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence is an essential resource for scholars, legal professionals, and anyone passionate about American history. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of these remarkable texts, serving as a guiding light for those seeking to comprehend the ideals upon which the United States was founded. Embrace the Founding Fathers' wisdom and embark on a captivating journey through American history as you unravel the intertwined stories of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the remarkable birth of a nation built on the pillars of liberty, government, and constitutional law.

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning scholar, a timely history of the constitutional changes that built equality into the nation’s foundation and how those guarantees have been shaken over time. The Declaration of Independence announced equality as an American ideal, but it took the Civil War and the subsequent adoption of three constitutional amendments to establish that ideal as American law. The Reconstruction amendments abolished slavery, guaranteed all persons due process and equal protection of the law, and equipped black men with the right to vote.

They established the principle of birthright citizenship and guaranteed the privileges and immunities of all citizens. The federal government, not the states, was charged with enforcement, reversing the priority of the original Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In grafting the principle of equality onto the Constitution, these revolutionary changes marked the second founding of the United States. Eric Foner’s compact, insightful history traces the arc of these pivotal amendments from their dramatic origins in pre–Civil War mass meetings of African-American “colored citizens” and in Republican party politics to their virtual nullification in the late nineteenth century. A series of momentous decisions by the Supreme Court narrowed the rights guaranteed in the amendments, while the states actively undermined them. The Jim Crow system was the result. Again today there are serious political challenges to birthright citizenship, voting rights, due process, and equal protection of the law. Like all great works of history, this one informs our understanding of the present as well as the past: knowledge and vigilance are always necessary to secure our basic rights.

The United States Constitution is a short document, and it is written in general language, which leaves much of the meaning unwritten and open to interpretation. Dig into this important document and watershed in the history of governments! Explore the history, the various clauses, amendments, and interpretations. Understand your rights (and responsibilities)! 

From the Constitutional Convention to the creation of the Constitution and its eventual ratification, and to the Bill of Rights and the thorny constitutional issues of today, The Constitution Explained: A Guide for Every American covers the history, our founding fathers’ goals, and the varied interpretations of the Constitution that have informed the politics and functioning of the U.S. government. You’ll discover …. How the Constitution makes the United States of America different from many countries around the world because it gives us a peaceful mechanism to resolve governmental issuesThe rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizensAn in-depth look at the freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights“The Miracle at Philadelphia” and “the Great Compromise”The many different methods used to interpret the ConstitutionControversial U.S. Supreme Court picks throughout history and how the size and tenure of the Supreme Court justices has long been a contentious issueThe remarkable evolution of death penalty jurisprudenceThe “Bill” Process, Pardon Power, Power of Judicial Review, and other stated and implied powers found in Articles I (Congress), II (Presidency) and III (Judicial)And much, much more!A guide to the citizenship and the American government, The Constitution Explained sheds a light on the differing and changing interpretations of the many broadly worded key phrases in the Constitution. You’ll learn how the Constitution has been adopted to different times and various situations. You’ll learn what it does—and does not—promise U.S. citizens. Richly illustrated, it also has a helpful bibliography, glossary, and extensive index. This invaluable resource is designed to help you understand the power and strength of the U.S. Constitution!

In Defender in Chief, celebrated constitutional scholar John Yoo makes a provocative case against Donald Trump's alleged disruption of constitutional rules and norms. Donald Trump isn't shredding the Constitution―he's its greatest defender. Ask any liberal―and many moderate conservatives―and they'll tell you that Donald Trump is a threat to the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution. Mainstream media outlets have reported fresh examples of alleged executive overreach or authoritarian White House decisions nearly every day of his presidency.

In the 2020 primaries, the candidates have rushed to accuse Trump of destroying our democracy and jeopardizing our nation's very existence. Yoo argues that this charge has things exactly backwards. Far from considering Trump an inherent threat to our nation's founding principles, Yoo convincingly argues that Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton would have seen Trump as returning to their vision of presidential power, even at his most controversial. It is instead liberal opponents who would overthrow existing constitutional understanding in order to unseat Trump, but in getting their man would inflict permanent damage on the office of the presidency, the most important office in our constitutional system and the world. This provocative and engaging work is a compelling defense of an embattled president's ideas and actions.

** WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER ** USA TODAY BESTSELLER ** PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BESTSELLER ** NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER **. With a simple majority on the Supreme Court, the left would have the power to curtail or even abolish the freedoms that have made America a beacon to the world. We are one vote away from losing our most precious constitutional rights. As a Supreme Court clerk, solicitor general of Texas, and private litigator, Ted Cruz played a key role in some of the most important legal cases of the past two decades.

In One Vote Away, you will discover how often the high court decisions that affect your life have been decided by the narrowest of margins. One vote preserves your right to speak freely, to bear arms, and to exercise your faith. One vote will determine whether your children enjoy their full inheritance as American citizens. God may endow us with "certain unalienable rights," but whether we enjoy them depends on nine judges—the "high priests" who have the last say in our system of government. Drawing back the curtain of their temple, Senator Cruz reveals the struggles, arguments, and strife that have shaped the fate of those rights. No one who reads One Vote Away can ever again take a single seat on the Supreme Court for granted.