U.S. Constitution For Dummies
2nd Edition
Published on 27. July 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
448 pages
978-1-119-38729-9 (ISBN)
Description
Your complete guide to understanding the U.S. Constitution.
Want to make sense of the U.S. Constitution? This new edition walks you through this revered document, explaining how the articles and amendments came to be and how they have guided legislators, judges, and presidents-and sparked ongoing debates along the way. You'll get the lowdown on all the big issues-from separation of church and state to impeachment to civil rights-that continue to affect Americans' daily lives. Plus, you'll find out about U.S. Constitution concepts and their origins, the different approaches to interpretation, and how the document has changed over the past 200+ years.
Inside, you'll find fresh examples of Supreme Court Rulings such as same sex marriage and Healthcare Acts such as Obamacare. Explore hot topics like what it takes to be elected Commander in Chief, the functions of the House and Senate, how Supreme Court justices are appointed, and so much more.
Trace the evolution of the Constitution
Recognize the power of the U.S. Supreme Court
Get details on recent Supreme Court decisions
Find new examples of the Bill of Rights
Constitutional issues are dominating the news-and now you can join the discussion with the help of U.S. Constitution For Dummies.
Want to make sense of the U.S. Constitution? This new edition walks you through this revered document, explaining how the articles and amendments came to be and how they have guided legislators, judges, and presidents-and sparked ongoing debates along the way. You'll get the lowdown on all the big issues-from separation of church and state to impeachment to civil rights-that continue to affect Americans' daily lives. Plus, you'll find out about U.S. Constitution concepts and their origins, the different approaches to interpretation, and how the document has changed over the past 200+ years.
Inside, you'll find fresh examples of Supreme Court Rulings such as same sex marriage and Healthcare Acts such as Obamacare. Explore hot topics like what it takes to be elected Commander in Chief, the functions of the House and Senate, how Supreme Court justices are appointed, and so much more.
Trace the evolution of the Constitution
Recognize the power of the U.S. Supreme Court
Get details on recent Supreme Court decisions
Find new examples of the Bill of Rights
Constitutional issues are dominating the news-and now you can join the discussion with the help of U.S. Constitution For Dummies.
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Other editions
New editions
Melissa Mandel | Glenn Smith
U.S. Constitution For Dummies, All New Edition
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05/2026
3rd Edition
Wiley
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Michael Arnheim
U.S. Constitution For Dummies
Book
05/2009
Wiley
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Person
As a lawyer who consults with various U.S. firms on constitutional issues and as author of a text on British constitutional law, Dr. Michael Arnheim is uniquely qualified to present an unbiased view of the U.S. Constitution, what it says, what it means, and how it's been interpreted in a variety of situations.
Content
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with the U.S Constitution 5
Chapter 1: Identifying the Main Principles and Controversies of the Constitution 7
Chapter 2: Probing Underlying Concepts: Big Thinkers, Big Thoughts 17
Chapter 3: Untangling Some Confusion and Ambiguities 31
Chapter 4: Catching a Bird's-Eye View of the Constitution 43
Chapter 5: Changing the Constitution by Amendment and Interpretation 53
Part 2: We the People: How the United States Is Governed 65
Chapter 6: Scrutinizing Sovereignty: Who Rules America? 67
Chapter 7: Defining Federalism 79
Chapter 8: Separation of Powers: Checking and Balancing 89
Chapter 9: Doing Business: The Commerce Clause 107
Part 3: Assessing the Three Engines of Government: The President, Congress, and the Judiciary 117
Chapter 10: Examining the Role of the President 119
Chapter 11: Giving Everyone a Voice: The House of Representatives and the Senate 143
Chapter 12: "Saying What the Law Is": The Judicial System 163
Chapter 13: You're Fired! Investigating the Impeachment Process 181
Part 4: Guaranteeing Important Rights: The Bill of Rights 195
Chapter 14: The First Amendment: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Assembly 197
Chapter 15: The Second Amendment: Bearing Arms 211
Chapter 16: The Third and Fourth Amendments: Protecting Citizens from Government Forces 223
Chapter 17: Taking the Fifth - and a Bit of the Fourteenth 239
Chapter 18: Regulating Crime and Punishment: The Sixth through Eighth Amendments 257
Chapter 19: Analyzing an "Inkblot" and a "Truism": The Ninth and Tenth Amendments 275
Part 5: Addressing Liberties and Modifying the Government: More Amendments 287
Chapter 20: States' Rights, Elections, and Slavery: The Eleventh through Thirteenth Amendments 289
Chapter 21: The Fourteenth Amendment: Ensuring Equal Protection 303
Chapter 22: Starts, Stops, and Clarifications: Amendments since 1870 319
Part 6: The Part of Tens 337
Chapter 23: Ten Landmark Constitutional Cases 339
Chapter 24: Ten Influential Supreme Court Justices 353
Chapter 25: Two Sides of Five Constitutional Conundrums 365
Appendix: Constitution of the United States of America 379
Index 403
Part 1: Getting Started with the U.S Constitution 5
Chapter 1: Identifying the Main Principles and Controversies of the Constitution 7
Chapter 2: Probing Underlying Concepts: Big Thinkers, Big Thoughts 17
Chapter 3: Untangling Some Confusion and Ambiguities 31
Chapter 4: Catching a Bird's-Eye View of the Constitution 43
Chapter 5: Changing the Constitution by Amendment and Interpretation 53
Part 2: We the People: How the United States Is Governed 65
Chapter 6: Scrutinizing Sovereignty: Who Rules America? 67
Chapter 7: Defining Federalism 79
Chapter 8: Separation of Powers: Checking and Balancing 89
Chapter 9: Doing Business: The Commerce Clause 107
Part 3: Assessing the Three Engines of Government: The President, Congress, and the Judiciary 117
Chapter 10: Examining the Role of the President 119
Chapter 11: Giving Everyone a Voice: The House of Representatives and the Senate 143
Chapter 12: "Saying What the Law Is": The Judicial System 163
Chapter 13: You're Fired! Investigating the Impeachment Process 181
Part 4: Guaranteeing Important Rights: The Bill of Rights 195
Chapter 14: The First Amendment: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Assembly 197
Chapter 15: The Second Amendment: Bearing Arms 211
Chapter 16: The Third and Fourth Amendments: Protecting Citizens from Government Forces 223
Chapter 17: Taking the Fifth - and a Bit of the Fourteenth 239
Chapter 18: Regulating Crime and Punishment: The Sixth through Eighth Amendments 257
Chapter 19: Analyzing an "Inkblot" and a "Truism": The Ninth and Tenth Amendments 275
Part 5: Addressing Liberties and Modifying the Government: More Amendments 287
Chapter 20: States' Rights, Elections, and Slavery: The Eleventh through Thirteenth Amendments 289
Chapter 21: The Fourteenth Amendment: Ensuring Equal Protection 303
Chapter 22: Starts, Stops, and Clarifications: Amendments since 1870 319
Part 6: The Part of Tens 337
Chapter 23: Ten Landmark Constitutional Cases 339
Chapter 24: Ten Influential Supreme Court Justices 353
Chapter 25: Two Sides of Five Constitutional Conundrums 365
Appendix: Constitution of the United States of America 379
Index 403