Often cited, seldom read, always essential: here is the complete U.S. Constitution demystified and explained by an acclaimed historian. Thoughtful and nuanced, lively and highly readable, it is the ultimate political fact-checking source for every American.
“Raphael’s annotations are written with such clarity. Indeed, the kind of clarity we need at this critical moment in our nation’s history.”—Carol Anderson, Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award
Presidents come and go, but the Constitution remains the supreme law of the land. It is the bedrock document from which we derive our policies on topics as diverse and galvanizing as immigration, gun ownership, voting rights, taxation, policing, and war. It dictates the structure and workings of our government; it sets forth our rights as citizens.
But even the most well-informed reader can stumble on the Constitution's archaic language and historical context. In this indispensable edition, Ray Raphael gives us a modern—and nonpartisan—reading of the text, clause by clause and amendment by amendment, illuminating the origins of its content, the intentions of its framers, its evolution throughout the centuries, and its meaning today.
Here is where any concerned citizen can find answers to help them navigate the issues they see in the news.