This Is Our Constitution: What It Is and Why It Matters

by Ed Smith

224 pages, Library Binding

Published February 5, 2019

About the author

Ed Smith is an author and journalist, and a former international cricketer who has represented England, Cambridge University, Kent and Middlesex. Ed Smith's previous books include Playing Hard Ball, On and Off the Field -- the Wisden Book of the Year and shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and The Cricket Society Book of the Year Award -- and the critically acclaimed, What Sport Tells Us About Life. After retiring from cricket Ed Smith became a leader writer for The Times. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Lauren Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this wasn’t necessarily an exciting read, I am really glad I read it. I will be honest I did not know very much about our constitution or government in general. But it was especially enlightening to learn about our government structure from someone who has experience another type of government authority.

It was eye-opening and beautiful, to see the things that we so easily take for granted for what they truly are and what makes this country great.

Like I said, it wasn’t exactly very exciting, but very informative. Reading it in 2025 at the beginning of Trump’s second presidency, makes some of the constitution stand out even greater. And also makes me wonder how many people in government actually know what the constitution says and means.

As the writing of this review, the president has said he would throw people in jail and kick them out of the country or protesting on school campuses. That was especially jarring to hear, on the same day when I learned more about the first amendment.

I enjoyed how the author went section by section of the constitution elaborating as he went.

This read is quick and formative, but also engaging. I think it’s great for kids young adult and adult. I likely will make my children listen to it this summer.