The Constitution: Understanding America's Founding Document

by Michael S. Greve

For well over two centuries, the United States Constitution has served as a charter for a free, democratic government and for a country that has risen from a dicey political experiment to an economic and political superpower. In the history of the world, there is nothing like it. In The Understanding America’s Founding Document, Michael S. Greve explains how to think seriously about the United States Constitution and constitutions in general. What are constitutions supposed to do, and what can they accomplish? Why was the specific form of the Constitution—including both its structure and its rights catalogue—so important? Why is the Constitution so difficult to amend? Greve provides a fresh perspective on the Constitution’s structure and our enduring constitutional controversies, from federalism and the separation of powers to slavery, civil rights, and the administrative state.

Genres: Politics

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Charles Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the origins and content of the US Constitution. It is a simple book that you can finish in a few hours. Almost a high school-level text, it reads like something from your civics class, sprinkled with brief discussions of current topics like the Administrative State and Originalism versus Living Constitutionalism. It refers to the Federalist papers many times but reading this is certainly less effort than reading the Federalist papers.

One criticism might be what appears to be a subtitle (Values and Capitalism) but actually refers to a project by the American Enterprise Institute, which created the book. Values and capitalism are not really discussed much. In fact I found the word capitalism used only once in the book. It makes you think the book might be some sort of right-wing Tome but in fact it didn't seem that way at all to me. I'm afraid that might dissuade some readers from taking on this simple educational primer.

The book has a list of suggestions for further reading at the end. I recommend it for anyone who is trying to learn more about our constitution.

[Ed Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Mid-Level Discussion

Suitable for undergrads or high school students who need familiarity with the US Constitution in a short and easy read. While it is written by an AEI Fellow, and the positioning is more conservative than progressive, the information is well presented and accurate. You’ll think about things a little differently, with a bibliography and recommended reading list to boot. A great intermediate level intro.

[Starlene C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Corporate influence on our constitution shows it's head here

The only reason why I'm giving this 2 stars is because of the company's involved in making this book.
Corporate influence is a terrible thing.
I do not recommend solely on the contributor's to this book.
Which attempts to explain the constitution with an opinion.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Constitution" was a short, but good explanation of the structure and organization of our government and Constitution. If the book was longer I would have given the book five stars.