The Annotated U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence by Jack N. Rakove

by Unknown Author

Here in a newly annotated edition are the two founding documents of the United States of America: the Declaration of Independence (1776), our great revolutionary manifesto, and the Constitution (1787 88), in which We the People forged a new nation and built the framework for our federal republic. Together with the Bill of Rights and the Civil War amendments, these documents constitute what James Madison called our political scriptures and have come to define us as a people. Now a Pulitzer Prize winning historian serves as a guide to these texts, providing historical contexts and offering interpretive commentary.

In an introductory essay written for the general reader, Jack N. Rakove provides a narrative political account of how these documents came to be written. In his commentary on the Declaration of Independence, Rakove sets the historical context for a fuller appreciation of the important preamble and the list of charges leveled against the Crown. When he glosses the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the subsequent amendments, Rakove once again provides helpful historical background, targets language that has proven particularly difficult or controversial, and cites leading Supreme Court cases. A chronology of events provides a framework for understanding the road to Philadelphia. The general reader will not find a better, more helpful guide to our founding documents than Jack N. Rakove.

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

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

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Reviews

[Ray LaManna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this presidential election year I thought I'd study our two Founding Documents more thoroughly. Rakove's commentary was very informative, especially when he provides commentary on how the various parts of these great documents were formulated through a great deal of give and take.

If you want a good grounding before you cast your vote in November you should read this book.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is excellent for civics instruction. The texts of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Amendments to the Constitution are nicely laid out.

Rakove's annotations to the three documents provide a taste of their history and interpretation.

[John M. Hultin · Rating 2 out of 5]

DON’T get the Kindle version

This book has great content and annotations BUT the kindle version is incomplete and very awkward. It has no illustrations, just a comment saying “refer to the printed version “. In addition, the document text and the annotations are not easily distinguishable. This is made more awkward as the annotations generally precede the document text, requiring the reader to flip back and forth. I have the printed version on order.

[Nivardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Intro

This was a great introduction to both founding documents of the United States by providing the necessary historical context for what motivated everyone involved in the creation of America.

[Rachel Bhattacharyya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredibly informative.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting but i would prefer more analysis and less identification of what the material means

[John Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not buy kindle version

The content of the book is good. However it is the worst formatted kindle book I have ever read. The footnotes are mixed in with the text and most are before the paragraph they are related to. It is sometimes hard to keep straight the text of the constitution, the comments, and the footnotes. None of the images are in the kindle version. If you want to read this book buy the printed book.

[Gloria]

I cannot finish this book because it gets me so pumped up I can't sleep. The last thing I need is more motivation. One day when I'm old and tired and have time I'll finish it but not right now.