The Constitution: An Introduction

From war powers to health care freedom of speech to gun ownership religious liberty to abortion practically every aspect of American life is shaped by the Constitution This vital document along with its history of political and judicial interpretation governs our individual lives and the life of our nation Yet most of us know surprisingly little about the Constitution itself and are woefully unprepared to think for ourselves about recent developments in its long and storied historyThe Constitution An Introduction is the definitive modern primer on the US Constitution Michael Stokes Paulsen one of the nations most provocative and accomplished scholars of the Constitution and his son Luke Paulsen a gifted young writer and lay scholar have combined to write a lively introduction to the supreme law of the United States covering the Constitutions history and meaning in clear accessible termsBeginning with the Constitutions birth in Paulsen and Paulsen offer a grand tour of its provisions principles and interpretation introducing readers to the characters and controversies that have shaped the Constitution in the -plus years since its creation Along the way the authors provide correctives to the shallow myths and partial truths that pervade so much popular treatment of the Constitution from school textbooks to media accounts of todays controversies and offer powerful insights into the Constitutions true meaningA lucid and engaging guide The Constitution An Introduction provides readers with the tools to think critically and independently about constitutional issuesa skill that is ever more essential to the continued flourishing of American democracy.