The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution

by Linda R. Monk

UPDATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS, The Words We Live By takes an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions about new rulings on hot-button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, the right to bear arms, and affirmative action.

In The Words We Live By , award-winning author and journalist Linda R. Monk explores the many interpretations of the Constitution's text in a balanced manner. The Words We Live By presents a new way of looking at the Constitution through entertaining and informative annotations--filled with the stories of the people behind the Supreme Court cases and historical perspective, along with enough surprises and fascinating facts and illustrations to prove that the Constitution is every bit as relevant today as it was in 1787.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Reference, Law, American History, School

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this reference book does have many good sections, I agree with what Andy Biggs has already mentioned. This book would have been much more useful if Monk would have focused a bit more on what our Founding Fathers actually intended and less on what modern day courts may or may not decide. This could have easily been done by incorporating many more quotes from our Founding Fathers. While Monk does keep things rather impartial to either side of a "controversy", sometimes she fails to simply state what our Founding Fathers meant in our Constitution. The main "controversial" section in this book being our Second Amendment right to arm ourselves (without infringement). Simple research will present one with hundreds of other quotes from our Founding Fathers which clears up this modern day attack on our right to bear arms rather quickly. Our Founding Fathers purposefully wrote the 2nd Amendment to guarantee firearms in the hands of each citizen as protection from potential external forces (invading nations) and internal forces(corrupt U.S. government factions), or worst case scenario, even to remove a once good government that had turned corrupt. This book seems to indicate Monk is not sure what the Founding Fathers meant. Maybe it's because she didn't take the time to research their other works & quotes. Or maybe it's because she doesn't fully understand the importance of our 2nd Amendment. Because the Founding Father were quite clear. In fact, they had just rebelled against a government (with their own guns) that had attempted to remove their many liberties. The American Revolution was won by an armed populace against the British standing army. And the Founding Fathers were now creating a system where citizens would always be at the pinnacle of command.


"Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation." -Gouverneur Morris


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials." -George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788


"That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms ... " -Samuel Adams, Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at 86-87 (Pierce & Hale, eds., Boston, 1850)


"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies." -George Washington, First Annual Address, to both House of Congress (8 January 1790)


"No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -Thomas Jefferson, Proposal Virginia Constitution, 1 T. Jefferson Papers, 334,[C.J. Boyd, Ed., 1950]


"The right of the people to keep and bear ... arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country ..." -James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434, June 8, 1789


"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty .... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins." -Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, spoken during floor debate over the Second Amendment, I Annals of Congress at 750, August 17, 1789


"Whereas civil-rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as military forces, which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms." -Tench Coxe, in Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution


"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." -Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 184-188


"If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government, and which against the usurpations of the national rulers may be exerted with infinitely better prospect of success than against those of the rulers of an individual State. In a single State, if the persons entrusted with supreme power become usurpers, the different parcels, subdivisions, or districts of which it consists, having no distinct government in each, can take no regular measures for defense. The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair." -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 28


"[The Constitution preserves] the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation...(where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
-James Madison, The Federalist Papers, No. 46


"To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws." -John Adams, A Defense of the Constitutions of the United States 475 (1787-1788)


"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive." -Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution (Philadelphia 1787)


"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people." -Tenche Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788


"Whereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it." -Richard Henry Lee, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788


"What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms." -Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 1787. ME 6:373, Papers 12:356


" ... to disarm the people - that was the best and most effectual way to enslave them." -George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 380


" ... but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights ..." -Alexander Hamilton speaking of standing armies in Federalist 29


"The great object is, that every man be armed ... Every one who is able may have a gun." -Patrick Henry, Elliot, p.3:386


"The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them." -Zacharia Johnson, delegate to Virginia Ratifying Convention, Elliot, 3:645-6


"Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms ... The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard, against the tyranny which now appears remote in America but which historically has proven to be always possible." -Hubert H. Humphrey, Senator, Vice President, 22 October 1959


"The militia is the natural defense of a free country against sudden foreign invasions, domestic insurrections, and domestic usurpation of power by rulers. The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of the republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally ... enable the people to resist and triumph over them." -Joseph Story, Supreme Court Justice, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, p. 3:746-7, 1833


"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress ... to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.... " -Samuel Adams, Debates of the Massachusetts Convention of 1788


"The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to possess arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing." -Adolph Hitler, Hitler's Secret Conversations 403 (Norman Cameron and R.H. Stevens trans., 1961)

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. It's a very in-depth look at the constitution and yet it's not boring. The book goes through the constitution paragraph by paragraph with stories about where the founding fathers and then the new congress came up with the ideas and the amendments.

I really liked the anecdotes about the different cases in front of the Supreme Court that would feature each amendment and why it was so important. The book didn't shy away from also talking about the prejudices that the court displayed such as agreeing with eugenics, ruling in favor of slavery, and against the rights of women.

I took a star off because the book did get a little dry and I would have to read some sections more then once in order to understand them because the language would get really technical.

[Andy Biggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like so many of these types of books she takes judicial interpretation as being the law and not what the authors of the constitution intended.

[A C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book talks about the Constitution, but in great detail and in a way that people who do not study the Constitution can understand. I had a great time reading this book. It taught me so much about the Constitution ,and it has given me a better perspective on why our government works the way it does. It has shown me in detail what the Constitution has written on it, and now I believe that the founding fathers were looking into the future for them to write something so complicated and complex. I had never read the Constitution before, but now after reading this book, I have a way better understanding and respect for the Constitution. I recommend this book to everyone because I feel like it is a privilege to be able to read and understand the Constitution of the United States of America.

[Jasmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great annotated Constitution guide. I loved all the resources she used to show both how and why the Constitution was written the way it was and also the legal cases that have interpreted it through the years.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many of us can say we've read every word of the Constitution? Before reading "The Words We Live By", I couldn't.

Thanks to Linda Monk, I've read every word, and I've gained insight into the history behind the Constitution's construction, the rationale behind its 27 amendments, and the way the various clauses have been interpreted over the years by the Supreme Court.

One realization that has surprised me as I read this book is how fluid the law is. The Supreme Court has molded and shaped its reading of the Constitution in many different ways throughout America's history. For example, the Court's ideas regarding the strength of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments concerning privacy and government intrusion, as well as the concept of Federalism: the separation of duties and powers among the central and state governments, has changed. That bothered me to no end. The law, like Moses' tablets, is supposed to be concrete and inflexible; that's what makes it the law. If the law, or a law, is to be seen in a different light, change the law explicitly, don't interpret it into something different. But I digress.

For those interested in a solid, concise (and appealing...it's got pictures!) history of the Constitution and its amendments, "The Words We Live By" is, at 288 pages, a brisk and entertaining read.

[Cat. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The odd-feeling, clunky title does not bode well for this. I will say that this is very well-researched and fairly well-condensed so as not to be horrifically long. It's actually easy to get through, written at what I expect is about a 7th-grade reading level. The ideas are more complicated than what most 13-year-olds are willing to work on, though.

Generally a good overview of the U.S. Constitution, its history, and why the changes were made when they were made. One of the highlights is the inclusion of quotes from speeches and legal cases of people involved in the argument of each amendment.

My only question is why she could not have included the dates of each amendment near the words for each one. And the quotes were completely undated: if you didn't know King's speech was in 1963, you sure wouldn't have found out without scrabbling through the bibliography and or endnotes (which were not numbered--you just have to guess on what was cited and what wasn't).

Anyway, it shouldn't have taken me 2 weeks to read this. It wasn't that bad. I'm just that busy!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of BYU's freshman have read this book this summer (or at least they are supposed to have! I'll see if that's the case tomorrow). All of us Honors teachers (and others as well, probably) have been assigned to incorporate this book into our classes somehow. It's basically one of those books that is not very enjoyable to read--especially at the breakneck speed at which I had to read it--but is actually full of interesting facts and general knowledge that any educated citizen should know. I would recommend reading it in digestible chunks while enjoying some fiction on the side.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent job by the author, Linda R. Monk; she has written a clear and useful explanation of the U.S. Constitution, clause by clause, and actually made it flow nicely as an interesting read as well as being a useful reference. My quibble is that she skimmed over some controversies that I wish she'd covered in more depth, particularly that of the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment and the meaning in its context of the phrase "the people," as this is likely to be one of the biggest political storms of the coming decade.

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author doesn't seem to like the Constitution very much. The quotes she shares of famous people are several who are destroying the Constitution. There are better books about the Constitution.

[Autumn Rybin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was amazing! I learned so much and it was easy to read and understand. Glad I picked this up on a whim from the thrift store.

[James Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda R. Monk did well by putting pen to paper on this one. There are a ton of voiced and points of view on the subject that add to the grand debate of how the constitution is viewed today.

I've read a few reviews that I disagree with, namely those who claim that the author focuses too strongly on how the U.S. Constitution has been interpreted by subsequent SCOTUS over the lifetime of the United States. What this boils down to are the two main theories of Constitutional interpretation: Originalism, or the the theory that the Constitution should be narrowly interpreted only according to the intent of the framers or the understanding of its provisions at the time of adoption, and Non-Originalism, the theory that one must look beyond the original intentions and understanding.

It has been said that Non-Originalists believe in a "living document," and it certainly seems apparent to me that the author possesses this theory of interpretation.

Regardless of your view, this book helped me understand the structure and meaning(s) (in the case of multiple interpretations) of the Constitution and I have fervently recommended it to my interested friends. The Constitution, like the Bible, has been deified by some but it seems many of those same people haven't read it. I honestly wish more people would pick up this book or ones like it as we stand at the of a Constitutional crisis.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a very readable annotated guide to the U.S. Constitution. The formatting was excellent--especially for me. My mind tends to wander while reading a textbook, particularly a "dry" one. This book is anything but dry!

There are quotes in the sidebar to provoke thought, as well as definitions of terms provided on the page where the term is used--again in a sidebar. The sidebar also has room for notes, as it forms a wide margin.

There are wonderful photos throughout, as well as case studies and background information and history which are interspersed throughout the text in easy to locate boxes.

The actual language from the Constitution is in bold font followed by text in regular font explaining the meaning. It's a great way to easily refer back to the actual text quickly and easily.

This book has helped me understand the constitution and will become a reference book for me.

One thing that would be helpful would be for me to make notes in the book when significant changes occur, such as Roe vs. Wade being overturned in June of 2022. That's the only drawback I can see to this book--while the historical info will always be accurate, there will be changes that aren't noted in the book.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent overview of the Constitution and its Amendments. It covers briefly the background and context of each of its provisions, and the history of their implementations and interpretations by Congress and the Supreme Court. Some will disagree with it for not covering their point of view more thoroughly, but given the book's scope as an introductory crash course on a very large subject, I thought it did an excellent job at finding the right balance. It gave just enough depth to understand the basics of some very complex issues, without going too far down the rabbit hole. I highly recommend for every citizen of these United States!

[Christopher Yamasaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very informative and offered a solid insight into the history and purpose of the United States Constitution. It was a super easy read with minimal complex language (law lingo, etc.), and when there was, Monk usually put their definition in the margins. The one thing was that it was a rather dry read, and made it a bit of a slog to get through sometimes. With that being said, Monk makes some really unique insights and made the read a bit more quick paced. Monk's annotations were super helpful to a person with no background in law or much history and is a solid start to understanding the USA.

[Allison Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering this was required reading for APGOV it was considerably interesting on the personal level of an American citizen. The book had fair insight on many Supreme Court Cases and disscused the many changes to the constitution. Although this book strived to share both sides of many arguments, it still chose to discuss one view point over another. despite that this was a great read for anyone who enjoys American history, or even American Law.

[Coen Hieggelke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily digestible annotated constitution. This book spells out not only what the constitution means, but it breaks it down, pairs different articles with court precedents, and makes connections that make this a very interesting book to read, or in my case, listen to. I had to read this for a class, but it was still fairly enjoyable, and left me as a reader feeling more faithful in the government, at least the idea of government, not really the one we have now.

[David Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent companion piece to the United States Constitution itself. It was written in simpler times, though, which means that while its tone is comforting, being that of one fully confident in the long-term arc of beneficial progress within the constitutional framework, it is also mildly disquieting in its forgivable inability to grapple with such travesties as a Chief Executive fully willing to overthrow the constitution by force.

[The Logophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the most important books I have ever read. I read it alongside America's Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Reed Amar because I felt I needed to simplify some of the information & I'm REALLY glad I did. Having said that, it can be read alone. It really just depends on how deep one wants to dive into the subject. In truth, everyone should read this book & gain a basic understanding of the most important document in the United States.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really interesting, but I'd like to see an updated addition covering some of the more recent constitutional controversy. I think the thing I've taken away from this book is that the states have voluntarily given up their power to the federal government, and Congress to the Executive Branch...no one has taken anything.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, this book took forever to get through but I learned A LOT. It’s full of critical information that every American NEEDS TO KNOW and many prime and historic examples. Good teaching and referencing but for some reason had to stop short of a 5 star. I think Linda could have harped more on the founding fathers interpretation of the documents and not what society deems them to be.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work examines the US Constitution and how it has been interpreted by the courts over the year. It's written in a high school college prep level. Great attention is given to balancing different views of the US Constitution. The addition I read came out before January 6, 2021. I'm interested in the authors view of amendment 25 in light of those events.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting to me especially given the recent political turmoil in our country and I thought it was a good read with some interesting historical context for each section and each of the 27 amendments, and now I can say I've read the constitution in its entirety!

[Jamie Thompson Somerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for school and answer questions that went along with the reading so it's harder to give it a good rating but overall this was interesting. Not something I'd particularly pick up and read on my own though.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely did its job! I now am more informed about each part of the constitution and the applications that they have had in society. Though I read this as part of a Constitution Team application requirement, it works as a standalone if you’re into that kind of thing.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t feel super inspired to read this book, but it gave me such a strong understanding of our constitution. I highly recomendable that young people read this, even though there are some tedious parts.

[Ruby Paustian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book connected present day readers and the youth to the constitution. While it was very boring at times, Monk used common language and current events to connect readers to the content. This was about as engaging as one get when writing about the constitution.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was just packed with information. I understand the Constitution in a way I didn't before. Also this book had some great quotes and also some really interesting and sometimes really funny tidbits of history. Very useful.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was mildly engaging but im mostly just glad it’s over. lots of stuff that was infuriating to learn about, especially considering the state of the country. definitely learned a lot so i guess it accomplished its purpose. they should’ve legalized titles of nobility.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent “help guide” to understanding the Constitution. Includes all types of annotations, definitions of key words, sidebar stories or pieces by prominent scholars/politicians/founding fathers really makes the document come to life. Grew resource for any age.