The Bill of Rights : A User's Guide

by Linda R. Monk

In The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide, award-winning author, and constitutional scholar Linda R. Monk explores the remarkable history of the Bill of Rights amendment by amendment, the Supreme Court's interpretation of each right, and the power of citizens to enforce those rights.

Stories of the ordinary people who made the Bill of Rights come alive are featured throughout. These include Fannie Lou Hamer, a Mississippi sharecropper who became a national civil rights leader; Clarence Earl Gideon, a prisoner whose handwritten petition to the Supreme Court expanded the right to counsel; Mary Beth Tinker, a 13-year-old whose protest of the Vietnam War established free speech rights for students; Michael Hardwick, a bartender who fought for privacy after police entered his bedroom unlawfully; Suzette Kelo, a nurse who opposed the city's takeover of her working-class neighborhood; and Simon Tam, a millennial whose 10-year trademark battle for his band "The Slants" ended in a unanimous Supreme Court victory. Such people prove that, in the words of Judge Learned Hand, "Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court, can save it."

Exploring the history, scope, and meaning of the first ten amendments-as well as the Fourteenth Amendment, which nationalized them and extended new rights of equality to all-The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide is a powerful examination of the values that define American life and the tools that every citizen needs.

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

265 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 1991

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every American. This book breaks down the history of the Bill of Rights as a whole and of each right individually, and expounds upon each of the ten rights by outlining important Supreme Court decisions that have impacted the interpretation and implementation. Containing relevant quotes from our "founding fathers," this book is both informative and very inspiring.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate O'Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bill of Rights is one of my favorite things to teach and learn about so this book was perfect for me! It was really engaging and full of real life examples and Supreme Court cases. I would highly recommend!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read, and some eye opening facts.
knowing is half the battle.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a teacher of AP Government, this book was a dream. It clearly lays out the first ten amendments, as well as the 14th amendment. It discusses key clauses and court cases relevant to each amendment. It also contains pictures that span from the colonial days to the present Trump era. I would be very interested in assigning this book as summer reading for my AP students. They would enter the course very prepared on constitutional underpinnings, civil liberties, and even selective incorporation, which is always a difficult topic for students to grasp.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent investigative look at the Bill of Rights; I truly learned a great about about this rights-defining documents. My only wish is for the author to examine the other amendments with such an eye for detail and historical relevance.

[John Rossbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I thought the historical context behind the creation of the United States and the Constitution was important for understanding why we have specific rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights and why we should care about them. At times a bit flowery, this book does a great job at breaking down complex and contradictory Supreme Court cases. A great read for anyone looking to learn more about our legal system!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many of us even know or really understand what is in our Bill of Rights? This book give and easy to read and understand summary of each one. It also gives a bit of history on them and examples of when they've been tested. A must read for any civics or American History buff. It's not super in depth but it will at least give you a starting point should you need or want to dive in deeper.

[Pennyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

U.S. citizens, knowledge is power, learn your rights

This book is written in a manner that ordinary reader can understand. It is informative and logical in its flow.
Recommended reading for any and all citizens to help their understand their rights.

[Adam Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it took over a year, really probably more like 3, but i finished. This is not because it was not interesting, in fact the content and writing were extremely compelling, but it’s still a text book, just a light one. Don’t ask me to quote any cases from it though.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be required reading for all college students regardless of their major

Well done. Clear and easy to follow. One of the best explanatory approaches for a document essential for understanding and preserving our democratic principles.

[Constance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would like to have seen a two or three page summary of the amendments.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise book that shows how the events that surround the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution and how it has been applied since its inception. These fundamentals are the crevices that form the mould in which America is growing.

[Sortior · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting basic information

I liked the grounding in history. The specific references to cases. I believe that a section more opinion based would be helpful.

[Caroline Byrd · Rating 1 out of 5]

For school

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only explains the Amendments, but also provides court cases that influenced or were influenced by them. Every American should read this, as it lays out the importance and history of these Amendments. It was really interesting to read.