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United States Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.
Proposed following the often bitter 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution, and written to address the objections raised by Anti-Federalists, the Bill of Rights amendments add to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms and rights, clear limitations on the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and explicit declarations that all powers not specifically granted to the U.S. Congress by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people.
The concepts codified in these amendments are built upon those found in earlier documents, especially the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), as well as the English Bill of Rights (1689) and the Magna Carta (1215).
Proposed following the often bitter 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution, and written to address the objections raised by Anti-Federalists, the Bill of Rights amendments add to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms and rights, clear limitations on the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and explicit declarations that all powers not specifically granted to the U.S. Congress by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people.
The concepts codified in these amendments are built upon those found in earlier documents, especially the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), as well as the English Bill of Rights (1689) and the Magna Carta (1215).
3 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1789
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About the author
James Madison
965 books180 followersFor James Madison, Episcopal Bishop and president of the College of William & Mary, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show....
James Madison, Jr. was an American politician and the fourth President of the United States (1809–1817), and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Madison was the last founding father to die. Considered to be the "Father of the Constitution", he was the principal author of the document. In 1788, he wrote over a third of the Federalist Papers, still the most influential commentary on the Constitution. As a leader in the first Congresses, he drafted many basic laws and was responsible for the first ten amendments to the Constitution (said to be based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights), and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights". As a political theorist, Madison's most distinctive belief was that the new republic needed checks and balances to limit the powers of special interests, which Madison called factions. He believed very strongly that the new nation should fight against aristocracy and corruption and was deeply committed to creating mechanisms that would ensure republicanism in the United States.
As leader in the House of Representatives, Madison worked closely with President George Washington to organize the new federal government. Breaking with Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton in 1791, Madison and Thomas Jefferson organized what they called the republican party (later called the Democratic-Republican Party) in opposition to key policies of the Federalists, especially the national bank and the Jay Treaty. He secretly co-authored, along with Thomas Jefferson, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in 1798 to protest the Alien and Sedition Acts.
As Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809), Madison supervised the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation's size, and sponsored the ill-fated Embargo Act of 1807. As president, he led the nation into the War of 1812 against Great Britain in order to protect the United States' economic rights. That conflict began poorly as Americans suffered defeat after defeat by smaller forces, but ended on a high note in 1815, with the Treaty of Ghent, after which a new spirit of nationalism swept the country. During and after the war, Madison reversed many of his positions. By 1815, he supported the creation of the second National Bank, a strong military, and a high tariff to protect the new factories opened during the war.
James Madison, Jr. was an American politician and the fourth President of the United States (1809–1817), and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Madison was the last founding father to die. Considered to be the "Father of the Constitution", he was the principal author of the document. In 1788, he wrote over a third of the Federalist Papers, still the most influential commentary on the Constitution. As a leader in the first Congresses, he drafted many basic laws and was responsible for the first ten amendments to the Constitution (said to be based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights), and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights". As a political theorist, Madison's most distinctive belief was that the new republic needed checks and balances to limit the powers of special interests, which Madison called factions. He believed very strongly that the new nation should fight against aristocracy and corruption and was deeply committed to creating mechanisms that would ensure republicanism in the United States.
As leader in the House of Representatives, Madison worked closely with President George Washington to organize the new federal government. Breaking with Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton in 1791, Madison and Thomas Jefferson organized what they called the republican party (later called the Democratic-Republican Party) in opposition to key policies of the Federalists, especially the national bank and the Jay Treaty. He secretly co-authored, along with Thomas Jefferson, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in 1798 to protest the Alien and Sedition Acts.
As Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809), Madison supervised the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation's size, and sponsored the ill-fated Embargo Act of 1807. As president, he led the nation into the War of 1812 against Great Britain in order to protect the United States' economic rights. That conflict began poorly as Americans suffered defeat after defeat by smaller forces, but ended on a high note in 1815, with the Treaty of Ghent, after which a new spirit of nationalism swept the country. During and after the war, Madison reversed many of his positions. By 1815, he supported the creation of the second National Bank, a strong military, and a high tariff to protect the new factories opened during the war.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 13, 2020
An excellent free edition of perhaps the most important governing document of the United States. You do not need to be an attorney to understand it. It was written for the people, not attorneys or any other special class.
August 18, 2014
This definitely counts as cheating for my yearly challenge, so I'll have to read an extra book but I do think it's important for everyone to read this. I haven't read it since high school. I also have to put everything I read on goodreads or I just won't read it. This is what goodreads has done to me haha
September 22, 2020
Can’t believe I never parsed through this with the care it deserves. And my goodness, are those of who are Americans truly fortunate and blessed. Beautiful, stately verbiage by James Madison.
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November 19, 2025THIS IS ALSO FOR WORK!!
11/6-11/7 TA / JH -2
11/7-11/11 ADUDS / kh - 3
11/11 - 11/14 - LMHTM / kh - 4
11/14-11/19 - MA / kh - 4
11/6-11/7 TA / JH -2
11/7-11/11 ADUDS / kh - 3
11/11 - 11/14 - LMHTM / kh - 4
11/14-11/19 - MA / kh - 4
October 27, 2025
The first 10 amendments. That is all. Now on to my grievances (my first amendment right 😉 idk about my Goodreads right.)
I saw someone wearing a Don’t Tread On Me shirt the other day (their first amendment right) and was bothered even though I shouldn’t have been. Both “Don’t Tread On Me” and its meme version “Don’t Step On Snek” stray from America’s core ideals, though in different ways. The original phrase, once a Revolutionary symbol of unity and resistance to tyranny, has often been twisted *cough cough far right* into a cry for total individualism (also sometimes racism) that rejects shared responsibility and civic duty. The very same principles that make self-government work. The meme version, meanwhile, turns that historic message into ironic internet humor *cough cough left/libertarian*, reducing serious ideas about liberty and collective purpose to self-parody. In both cases, what’s lost is the balance at the heart of American freedom: independence anchored by cooperation, not isolation or mockery. I love America and both Republicans/Democrats need to stop ruining it. The two-party system is broken because it rewards division over solutions, forcing complex issues into a false choice of red or blue. Maybe purple time is coming. ☮️✌️🕊️
I saw someone wearing a Don’t Tread On Me shirt the other day (their first amendment right) and was bothered even though I shouldn’t have been. Both “Don’t Tread On Me” and its meme version “Don’t Step On Snek” stray from America’s core ideals, though in different ways. The original phrase, once a Revolutionary symbol of unity and resistance to tyranny, has often been twisted *cough cough far right* into a cry for total individualism (also sometimes racism) that rejects shared responsibility and civic duty. The very same principles that make self-government work. The meme version, meanwhile, turns that historic message into ironic internet humor *cough cough left/libertarian*, reducing serious ideas about liberty and collective purpose to self-parody. In both cases, what’s lost is the balance at the heart of American freedom: independence anchored by cooperation, not isolation or mockery. I love America and both Republicans/Democrats need to stop ruining it. The two-party system is broken because it rewards division over solutions, forcing complex issues into a false choice of red or blue. Maybe purple time is coming. ☮️✌️🕊️
August 22, 2015
Fascinating, Informative & Enlightening! I Enjoyed This Amazing Read!
February 3, 2016
Have you ever stopped to consider what an unusual thing it is for us to have rights? It's a rare thing in history to have them. If we have rights, that means our government has obligations. It means we are more than human capital relegated to keeping our leaders in power and comfort. What an unusual thing.
For this reason, I appeal to my fellow citizens. Let's not be too quick to give these rights away. Even something like the right to bear arms. You might think it comes with too high a cost. You might think the reasons for it's induction are outmoded. Even so, I implore you. Our founders got it right. Rights come from God, and it is a fool who surrenders them to men lightly. History has shown that when the people give their power away to their governors, they rarely get it back.
For this reason, I appeal to my fellow citizens. Let's not be too quick to give these rights away. Even something like the right to bear arms. You might think it comes with too high a cost. You might think the reasons for it's induction are outmoded. Even so, I implore you. Our founders got it right. Rights come from God, and it is a fool who surrenders them to men lightly. History has shown that when the people give their power away to their governors, they rarely get it back.
April 18, 2025
ადამიანისთვის თავისუფლების წართმევა ბოროტებაა.
სახელმწიფო ადამიანს თავისუფლების ნაწილს ართმევს.
შესაბამისად, სახელმწიფო ნაწილობრივი ბოროტებაა.
ადამიანი არასრულყოფილი არსებაა.
ის ისწრაფვის უკეთესობისაკენ, მაგრამ ამ გზაზე მიკერძოებულია.
ამ პრობლემის აღმოფხვრის გზა არ არსებობს.
ერთადერთი გზა მისი მიკერძოებულობის დაბალანსებაა.
დაბალანსების ფუნქცია შეიძლება შეასრულოს სწორად აწყობილმა სისტემამ, რომლის ფუნდამენტიც სამართლიანობაა.
შესაბამისად, საუკეთესო სახელმწიფო იქნებოდა ის, რომელიც იდეალურთან მიახლოებულ დამაბალანსებელ, სამართლიან სისტემას შექმნიდა.
სახელმწიფო ნაწილობრივი ბოროტებაა.
შესაბამისად, ნაწილობრივი სიკეთეცაა.
სახელმწიფოს სიკეთე სამართლიანობაა.
სამართლიანობა ბედნიერებისაკენ სწრაფვის თანაბარი შესაძლებლობის ფლობაა.
სახელმწიფოს სიკეთეა დაიცვას ადამიანთა უფლება, ისწრაფოდენ ბედნიერებისაკენ.
ამას ცდილობენ დამფუძნებელი მამები ამ დოკუმენტით.
სახელმწიფო ადამიანს თავისუფლების ნაწილს ართმევს.
შესაბამისად, სახელმწიფო ნაწილობრივი ბოროტებაა.
ადამიანი არასრულყოფილი არსებაა.
ის ისწრაფვის უკეთესობისაკენ, მაგრამ ამ გზაზე მიკერძოებულია.
ამ პრობლემის აღმოფხვრის გზა არ არსებობს.
ერთადერთი გზა მისი მიკერძოებულობის დაბალანსებაა.
დაბალანსების ფუნქცია შეიძლება შეასრულოს სწორად აწყობილმა სისტემამ, რომლის ფუნდამენტიც სამართლიანობაა.
შესაბამისად, საუკეთესო სახელმწიფო იქნებოდა ის, რომელიც იდეალურთან მიახლოებულ დამაბალანსებელ, სამართლიან სისტემას შექმნიდა.
სახელმწიფო ნაწილობრივი ბოროტებაა.
შესაბამისად, ნაწილობრივი სიკეთეცაა.
სახელმწიფოს სიკეთე სამართლიანობაა.
სამართლიანობა ბედნიერებისაკენ სწრაფვის თანაბარი შესაძლებლობის ფლობაა.
სახელმწიფოს სიკეთეა დაიცვას ადამიანთა უფლება, ისწრაფოდენ ბედნიერებისაკენ.
ამას ცდილობენ დამფუძნებელი მამები ამ დოკუმენტით.
June 13, 2019
It's actually interesting as a Canadian to see how execution and the punishment inflicted on the slaves were not regarded as "cruel" punishment. They should have clearly seen how they are also our own family of humans, homo sapiens sapiens, and I don't know why they even accept the Chinese as human, even though they have different appearances. P.S. For those of you wondering where I am, I am just having a load of schoolwork, so couldn't really read much. P.S.S. I'm also reading this for the sake of adding a book to my reading challenge LOL.
February 26, 2018
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are some of the most profound and important documents created out the founding of the country. I cannot recommend that these be read enough.
December 9, 2016
Thought I'd refresh my understanding of the United States Bill of Rights as we prepare for the battles ahead. Essential reading for Americans.
March 26, 2019
The rights draw on a republicanism that was already dated in 1791. They allow slavery, they are light on democracy and welfare, and the 2nd is just silly.
December 22, 2020
A nice bit of context for all those amendments everyone keeps quoting in the movies... and in case I ever travel back to the US, but I don't have to do that for a long while, so - movies!
May 29, 2024
America democracy 🤩🤩
October 16, 2024
Liked it more than the declaration of independence
January 1, 2019
Recently, I finished the podcast series on the 27 amendments by Radiolab's "More perfect", so I decided to read the bill of rights + the other 17 amendments.
This is both the strength and weakness of a living document. It can be changed where necessary which is great, but it can also be changed where unnecessary, which isn't that great. You'll find a mixture of good and bad changes in the 27 amendments.
This is both the strength and weakness of a living document. It can be changed where necessary which is great, but it can also be changed where unnecessary, which isn't that great. You'll find a mixture of good and bad changes in the 27 amendments.
March 4, 2019
Power is in knowing, strength is in being united.
We all need to know this and defend this. There is siege on our rights from various angles and must watch everyone of them and not allow our Govt entities to subvert them. Whether it be local, state or federal they need all governed by the people.
We all need to know this and defend this. There is siege on our rights from various angles and must watch everyone of them and not allow our Govt entities to subvert them. Whether it be local, state or federal they need all governed by the people.
October 30, 2019
Yours Rights as a citizen, under The Constitution of the United States.
Every citizen must know and affirm these God ordained rights, in order to live free in our great republic. The alternative is to live under the rule of those who do, and seek to oppress those who don’t.
Every citizen must know and affirm these God ordained rights, in order to live free in our great republic. The alternative is to live under the rule of those who do, and seek to oppress those who don’t.
November 1, 2015
3pages= ez reading challenge +1... feels like cheating.
July 8, 2019
My sister and I read this every year on Independence Day to remind ourselves of what this country was meant be.
August 13, 2023
I remembered studying the Bill of Rights in high school. I held great esteem for the Bill of Rights then, and I still do on reread. The Bill of Rights was amazing when it was written, a time full of autocratic monarchies with state religions and almost no freedoms. Even now, there are still some freedoms in the Bill of Rights that aren’t in the majority of nations.
While the Third and partially the Second Amendment does indicate some skewed priorities compared to today’s values, the amendments about judicial freedoms are still very important. The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and somewhat the Seventh Amendments are still important to today’s society and protect important rights.
The Bill of Rights is a very good document and much of it represents the ideals the US should live up to. Especially the Ninth Amendment, which covers loopholes by saying the Constitution doesn’t take away rights, and the Tenth Amendment, which lays the foundation for federalism by saying any power the Constitution doesn’t specifically give to the federal government is for the states or the people. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights for a reason, and they are a necessary part of the Constitution.
While the Third and partially the Second Amendment does indicate some skewed priorities compared to today’s values, the amendments about judicial freedoms are still very important. The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and somewhat the Seventh Amendments are still important to today’s society and protect important rights.
The Bill of Rights is a very good document and much of it represents the ideals the US should live up to. Especially the Ninth Amendment, which covers loopholes by saying the Constitution doesn’t take away rights, and the Tenth Amendment, which lays the foundation for federalism by saying any power the Constitution doesn’t specifically give to the federal government is for the states or the people. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights for a reason, and they are a necessary part of the Constitution.
February 16, 2025
The Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents in the history of the West. It has established the essential rights that continues to be guaranteed to Americans 223 years later. It has guaranteed us a sophisticated and necessary legal system to ensure a just judiciary.
We can see in other Western countries that have not been guaranteed these same rights a horrible infringement of personal liberties. This is worst shown in our mother Albion, where people are wrongly getting imprisoned for speech. Section 127 of the Communications Act has been a disgrace to Britain. Britain was the founder of liberty; for thinkers like Burke and Locke held these ideas vehemently. It really shows that if Britain - a country that is almost culturally identical to us Americans - can disregard liberty for tyranny, that America needs to ensure liberty as well as we can. For all reasons, the Bill of Rights should be held in highest regard to all Americans.
We can see in other Western countries that have not been guaranteed these same rights a horrible infringement of personal liberties. This is worst shown in our mother Albion, where people are wrongly getting imprisoned for speech. Section 127 of the Communications Act has been a disgrace to Britain. Britain was the founder of liberty; for thinkers like Burke and Locke held these ideas vehemently. It really shows that if Britain - a country that is almost culturally identical to us Americans - can disregard liberty for tyranny, that America needs to ensure liberty as well as we can. For all reasons, the Bill of Rights should be held in highest regard to all Americans.
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January 24, 2025this gave rights to a bunch of people or whatever but it didn't give pursuit of happiness like death by scrabble by Charlie fish (oh you haven't read death by scrabble? its a very good book.) we the people or whatever, but we the people need to read death by scrabble (oh you haven't read death by scrabble? its a very good book.) death by scrabble (oh you haven't read death by scrabble? its a very good book.) honestly the school system should require kids to read death by scrabble at least once an hour death by scrabble is that good (oh you haven't read death by scrabble? its a very good book.)
June 6, 2018
It's the Bill of Rights
I carry this with me so I can speak to the second amendment. People quote it all the time but leave out the important first part. How many of you toting guns belong to the National Guard? Do I believe in your right to carry a gun? Yes. But not into my home. I believe in sanity and courtesy and consideration. Those things do not exclude gun ownership. And no, i am not a dyed in the wool like liberal.
Now go read the second amendment,all 25 words of it and next time, quote it accurately.
I carry this with me so I can speak to the second amendment. People quote it all the time but leave out the important first part. How many of you toting guns belong to the National Guard? Do I believe in your right to carry a gun? Yes. But not into my home. I believe in sanity and courtesy and consideration. Those things do not exclude gun ownership. And no, i am not a dyed in the wool like liberal.
Now go read the second amendment,all 25 words of it and next time, quote it accurately.
September 20, 2021
10 Original Amendments to The Constitution of USA
Very well written but cases political precedents conspired with court justices. I believe we must return to the original Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers to secure the 10 amendments or strike them down and start over. The original constitution has been raped. Recommend reading with guidance of licensed Texas Teachers with knowledge of Texas Constitution authorized by commisions. Age 12+
Very well written but cases political precedents conspired with court justices. I believe we must return to the original Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers to secure the 10 amendments or strike them down and start over. The original constitution has been raped. Recommend reading with guidance of licensed Texas Teachers with knowledge of Texas Constitution authorized by commisions. Age 12+
September 16, 2017
Much as I hate what the United States has become, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution were pretty awesome. The right to bear arms, to freedom of the press, freedom of speech and religion, freedom of assembly - lots of really great stuff here. Easily the best early American political document.
April 13, 2018
Accurate
The only reason I took one star off was that it would have been nice to have included the other amendments and the dates they were each added. I know! I know! They are not the Bill of Rights, just the first ten are, however it would still be nice to find all them in one reference.
The only reason I took one star off was that it would have been nice to have included the other amendments and the dates they were each added. I know! I know! They are not the Bill of Rights, just the first ten are, however it would still be nice to find all them in one reference.
January 15, 2018
A must read for all Americans!
A long with the constitution and the Declaration of Independence, this is a must read for all Americans. Especially the younger generations. Read it now before they change it or erase it from history all together!
A long with the constitution and the Declaration of Independence, this is a must read for all Americans. Especially the younger generations. Read it now before they change it or erase it from history all together!
June 2, 2018
Great book of you don't know the Bill of Rights
I rated this book a 5 because it tells exactly what the Bill of rights are and would highly recommend to anyone and everyone that hasn't read them yet
I rated this book a 5 because it tells exactly what the Bill of rights are and would highly recommend to anyone and everyone that hasn't read them yet
March 22, 2019
Three minute read apparently. I may have memorized it as a fifth grader, but I think history lessons--especially reading original documents--carry different significance when read as an adult because you can compare it to how the world looks outside of a classroom.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews