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Full Description
The defining document of the United States explained in plain EnglishThe U.S. Constitution and its 27 amendments are the foundation of our government, but this essential document is not very easy to understand. Now, in this entertaining and even-handed guide, constitutional expert Michael Arnheim walks readers through the text, discussing how various articles and amendments have guided legislators and judges, sparked ongoing debates, and continue to affect Americans' daily lives. He explains all the big issues in plain English from separation of church and state and freedom of speech to search and seizure and civil rights and explains how the Constitution influences current discussions of the Patriot Act, the Electoral College, and voting irregularities.Dr. Michael Arnheim (London, UK) is a practicing British barrister, mediator, author, and academic. He consults with various U.S. firms on constitutional issues.
Contents
Foreword xixIntroduction 1Part I: Exploring Constitutional Basics 7Chapter 1: Constitutional Law: The Framework for Governance 9Chapter 2: Framing the U.S. Constitution: Big Thinkers, Big Thoughts 17Chapter 3: Debating the Constitution 31Chapter 4: Introducing . . . the Constitution! The Preamble and the Seven Articles 43Chapter 5: Amending versus Interpreting the Constitution: Taking Time for Change 53Part II: We the People: How the United States Is Governed 65Chapter 6: Scrutinizing Sovereignty: Who Rules America? 67Chapter 7: Federalism: Forming One out of Many 79Chapter 8: Separation of Powers: To Each His Own 91Chapter 9: Doing Business: The Commerce Clause101Part III: Balancing the Branches of Government: The President, Congress, and the Judiciary 113Chapter 10: Looking at the Role of Commander in Chief 115Chapter 11: Giving Everyone a Voice: The House of Representatives and Senate 139Chapter 12: During Good Behaviour : The Judicial System 157Chapter 13: You re Fired! Investigating the Impeachment Process 179Part IV: The Bill of Rights: Specifying Rights through Amendments 193Chapter 14: The First Amendment: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Assembly 195Chapter 15: The Second Amendment: Bearing Arms 207Chapter 16: The Third and Fourth Amendments: Protecting Citizens from Government Forces 217Chapter 17: Taking the Fifth and a Bit of the Fourteenth 231Chapter 18: Dealing with Justice and Individual Rights: The Sixth through Eighth Amendments 247Chapter 19: The Ninth and Tenth Amendments: Leaving Things Up to the People and States 263Part V: Addressing Liberties and Modifying the Government: More Amendments 277Chapter 20: States Rights, Elections, and Slavery: The Eleventh through Thirteenth Amendments 279Chapter 21: The Fourteenth Amendment: Ensuring Equal Protection 291Chapter 22: Starts, Stops, and Clarifications: Amendments since 1870 305Part VI: The Part of Tens 321Chapter 23: Ten Landmark Constitutional Cases 323Chapter 24: Ten Influential Supreme Court Justices 329Chapter 25: Two Sides of Five Constitutional Conundrums 337Appendix: Constitution of the United States of America 345Index 369
