Synopses & Reviews
Updated now for the first time,
The Words We Live By continues to take an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions on new rulings on hot button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, and affirmative action.
In The Words We Live By, Linda Monk probes the idea that the Constitution may seem to offer cut-and-dried answers to questions regarding personal rights, but the interpretations of this hallowed document are nearly infinite. For example, in the debate over gun control, does "the right of the people to bear arms" as stated in the Second Amendment pertain to individual citizens or regulated militias? What do scholars say? Should the Internet be regulated and censored, or does this impinge on the freedom of speech as defined in the First Amendment? These and other issues vary depending on the interpretation of the Constitution.
Through entertaining and informative annotations, The Words We Live By offers a new way of looking at the Constitution. Its pages reflect a critical, respectful and appreciative look at one of history's greatest documents. The Words We Live By is filled with a rich and engaging historical perspective along with enough surprises and fascinating facts and illustrations to prove that your Constitution is a living--and entertaining--document.
Review
"In The Words We Live By, Linda Monk has created a treasure--a wonderfully accessible yet deeply insightful guide to our Constitution which should be read and enjoyed by a wide audience of old and young alike."--Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Review
"Linda Monk takes us on a lively and learned exploration of the document that underlies not only how we Americans govern ourselves but how we make sense of the world. Anyone reading The Words We Live By will finish it with a greater understanding of the Constitution and a new respect for how it has secured freedom and self-government for the last two centuries."--Steve Chapman, syndicated columnist, Chicago Tribune
Review
"Linda Monk has brought the Constitution to life with a book that is authoritative, compelling and even entertaining. She captures just the right blend of history and current events to help us understand why the Constitution is America's cornerstone of freedom."--Charles Overby, Chairman of the Freedom Forum and Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper editor
Synopsis
This authoritative and thought-provoking guide by award-winning writer Linda Monk illuminates the constitution with anecdotes, examples, and a healthy seasoning of lore, trivia, amazing facts, and compelling sidelights as well as references to court cases and clear explanations of legal terms and the evolution of the law. Great Format: A paperback format for this important resource is perfect for law, history and political science fans and students. Popular History Fans Are Legion: The readers of Ambrose, the viewership of the History Channel, Ken Burns fans--these people are book buyers and they number in the hundreds of thousands. Spotlight on the Constitution: The great document is never far from the minds of the press looking for an angle on a popular issue (and with good reason). This book is the source for the upcoming discussions of civil liberties, Supreme Court appointments, and discussions about the electoral college and will continue to be so in paperback format.
Synopsis
UPDATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS, The Words We Live By takes an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions about new rulings on hot-button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, the right to bear arms, and affirmative action. In The Words We Live By, award-winning author and journalist Linda R. Monk explores the many interpretations of the Constitution's text in a balanced manner. The Words We Live By presents a new way of looking at the Constitution through entertaining and informative annotations--filled with the stories of the people behind the Supreme Court cases and historical perspective, along with enough surprises and fascinating facts and illustrations to prove that the Constitution is every bit as relevant today as it was in 1787.
Synopsis
The Words We Live By takes an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions on new rulings on hot button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, gun control, and affirmative action. In The Words We Live By, Linda Monk probes the idea that the Constitution may seem to offer cut-and-dried answers to questions regarding personal rights, but the interpretations of this hallowed document are nearly infinite. For example, in the debate over gun control, does "the right of the people to bear arms" as stated in the Second Amendment pertain to individual citizens or regulated militias? What do scholars say? Should the Internet be regulated and censored, or does this impinge on the freedom of speech as defined in the First Amendment? These and other issues vary depending on the interpretation of the Constitution.
Through entertaining and informative annotations, The Words We Live By offers a new way of looking at the Constitution. Its pages reflect a critical, respectful and appreciative look at one of history's greatest documents. The Words We Live By is filled with a rich and engaging historical perspective along with enough surprises and fascinating facts and illustrations to prove that your Constitution is a living -- and entertaining -- document.
Updated now for the first time, The Words We Live By continues to take an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions on new rulings on hot button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, and affirmative action.
Synopsis
he United States Constitution is the basis for our most fundamental rights as Americans, and is a key element in nearly every major legal and political debate ever argued. But how many of us actually understand the language used by our Founding Fathers Now Linda R. Monk, an award-winning author and journalist, takes us through the Constitution, line by line, to help us comprehend this amazing document. From the Preamble, which she analyzes with inspiration from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Charlton Heston, and James Madison, to each and every amendment, Monk offers insight, legal expertise, surprising facts and trivia, opposing interpretations, and historical anecdotes to breathe life into this provocative and hallowed document.
About the Author
Linda R. Monk is a constitutional scholar, journalist, and award-winning author. She has twice won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award, its highest honor for public education about law. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Monk has written numerous articles for newspapers nationwide including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune. She also served as series advisor for the PBS program "Constitution USA."