Overview

The defining document of the United States?explained in plain English The 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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Michael Arnheim
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 18.90cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.716kg
ISBN:  

9780764587801

ISBN 10:   0764587803
Pages:   408
Publication Date:   01 May 2009
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Stock Indefinitely
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Foreword xix Introduction 1 Part I: Exploring Constitutional Basics 7 Chapter 1: Constitutional Law: The Framework for Governance 9 Chapter 2: Framing the U.S. Constitution: Big Thinkers, Big Thoughts 17 Chapter 3: Debating the Constitution 31 Chapter 4: Introducing . . . the Constitution! The Preamble and the Seven Articles 43 Chapter 5: Amending versus Interpreting the Constitution: Taking Time for Change 53 Part II: We the People: How the United States Is Governed 65 Chapter 6: Scrutinizing Sovereignty: Who Rules America? 67 Chapter 7: Federalism: Forming One out of Many 79 Chapter 8: Separation of Powers: To Each His Own 91 Chapter 9: Doing Business: The Commerce Clause101 Part III: Balancing the Branches of Government: The President, Congress, and the Judiciary 113 Chapter 10: Looking at the Role of Commander in Chief 115 Chapter 11: Giving Everyone a Voice: The House of Representatives and Senate 139 Chapter 12: “During Good Behaviour”: The Judicial System 157 Chapter 13: You’re Fired! Investigating the Impeachment Process 179 Part IV: The Bill of Rights: Specifying Rights through Amendments 193 Chapter 14: The First Amendment: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Assembly 195 Chapter 15: The Second Amendment: Bearing Arms 207 Chapter 16: The Third and Fourth Amendments: Protecting Citizens from Government Forces 217 Chapter 17: Taking the Fifth — and a Bit of the Fourteenth 231 Chapter 18: Dealing with Justice and Individual Rights: The Sixth through Eighth Amendments 247 Chapter 19: The Ninth and Tenth Amendments: Leaving Things Up to the People and States 263 Part V: Addressing Liberties and Modifying the Government: More Amendments 277 Chapter 20: States’ Rights, Elections, and Slavery: The Eleventh through Thirteenth Amendments 279 Chapter 21: The Fourteenth Amendment: Ensuring Equal Protection 291 Chapter 22: Starts, Stops, and Clarifications: Amendments since 1870 305 Part VI: The Part of Tens 321 Chapter 23: Ten Landmark Constitutional Cases 323 Chapter 24: Ten Influential Supreme Court Justices 329 Chapter 25: Two Sides of Five Constitutional Conundrums 337 Appendix: Constitution of the United States of America 345 Index 369

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Author Information

Dr. Michael Arnheim is a practicing British barrister, mediator, and academic, as well as the author of a text on British constitutional law. He consults with various U.S. firms on constitutional issues.

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