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The Heritage Guide to the Constitution
This guide is the first of its kind, and presents the U.S. Constitution as never before, including a clause-by-clause analysis of the document, each amendment and relevant court case, and the documents that serve as the foundation of the Constitution.
475 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
29 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Edwin Meese III
17 books9 followersEdwin Meese III, the prominent conservative leader, thinker and elder statesman, continues a quarter-century formal association with The Heritage Foundation as the leading think tank’s Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow Emeritus.
In that capacity, Meese oversees special projects and acts as an ambassador for Heritage within the conservative movement.
Meese was chairman of Heritage’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies from its founding in 2001 until what he calls his “semi-retirement” on Feb. 1, 2013.
He joined Heritage in 1988 as the think tank's first Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow -- the only policy chair in the country to be officially named for the 40th president. His work focused on keeping President Reagan’s legacy of conservative principles alive in public debate and discourse.
The legal center now bears his name, in recognition of Meese’s contributions to the rule of law and the nation’s understanding of constitutional law. Its mission is to educate government officials, the media and the public about the Constitution and legal principles -- and how they affect public policy.
Perhaps best known as U.S. attorney general during Reagan’s second term, Meese’s service to the conservative icon stretched from the California governor’s mansion in 1966 to the White House in 1981 before he went to the Department of Justice four years later.
His Heritage “hats” kept Meese among the major conservative voices in national policy debates at an age when most men and women enjoyed quiet retirements.
In 2006, for example, Meese was named to the Iraq Study Group, a special presidential commission dedicated to examining the best resolutions for America's involvement in Iraq. In the past few years he wrote and spoke about constitutional topics ranging from religious liberty to the responsibility of Supreme Court justices.
Immediately after Reagan's death in 2004, and in the years since, Meese often agreed to major media appearances to discuss the lasting impact of his old friend, mentor and boss. He has summarized the Reagan legacy in three accomplishments: Reagan cut taxes and kept them low. He worked to defeat and end the Soviet Union and its worldwide push for communism. And he restored America's faith in itself after years of failure and "malaise."
"I admired him as a leader and cherish his friendship," Meese wrote in a 2004 essay for Heritage members and supporters. "Ronald Reagan had strong convictions. He was committed to the principles that had led to the founding of our nation. And he had the courage to follow his convictions against all odds."
Edwin Meese III was born Dec. 2, 1931, to Edwin Jr. and Leone Meese in Oakland, Calif. He graduated from Yale University in 1953 and holds a law degree from the University of California-Berkeley.
Meese spent much of his adult life working for Reagan, first after the former actor, sports announcer and athlete was elected as California’s governor in 1966 and then when he sought and won the presidency in 1980.
Reagan never forgot Meese's loyalty and hard work. During a press conference at which reporters questioned Meese's actions at the Justice Department, Reagan replied: "If Ed Meese is not a good man, there are no good men."
During the Reagan governorship, Meese served as executive assistant and chief of staff from 1969 through 1974 and as legal affairs secretary from 1967 through 1968. He previously was deputy district attorney in Alameda County, Calif.
From January 1981 to February 1985, Meese held the position of counsellor to the president -- the senior job on the White House staff -- and functioned as Reagan's chief policy adviser. In 1985, he received Government Executive magazine's annual award for excellence in management.
Meese served as the 75th attorney general of the United States from February 1985 to August 1988. As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, he directed the Justice Department and led international efforts to
In that capacity, Meese oversees special projects and acts as an ambassador for Heritage within the conservative movement.
Meese was chairman of Heritage’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies from its founding in 2001 until what he calls his “semi-retirement” on Feb. 1, 2013.
He joined Heritage in 1988 as the think tank's first Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow -- the only policy chair in the country to be officially named for the 40th president. His work focused on keeping President Reagan’s legacy of conservative principles alive in public debate and discourse.
The legal center now bears his name, in recognition of Meese’s contributions to the rule of law and the nation’s understanding of constitutional law. Its mission is to educate government officials, the media and the public about the Constitution and legal principles -- and how they affect public policy.
Perhaps best known as U.S. attorney general during Reagan’s second term, Meese’s service to the conservative icon stretched from the California governor’s mansion in 1966 to the White House in 1981 before he went to the Department of Justice four years later.
His Heritage “hats” kept Meese among the major conservative voices in national policy debates at an age when most men and women enjoyed quiet retirements.
In 2006, for example, Meese was named to the Iraq Study Group, a special presidential commission dedicated to examining the best resolutions for America's involvement in Iraq. In the past few years he wrote and spoke about constitutional topics ranging from religious liberty to the responsibility of Supreme Court justices.
Immediately after Reagan's death in 2004, and in the years since, Meese often agreed to major media appearances to discuss the lasting impact of his old friend, mentor and boss. He has summarized the Reagan legacy in three accomplishments: Reagan cut taxes and kept them low. He worked to defeat and end the Soviet Union and its worldwide push for communism. And he restored America's faith in itself after years of failure and "malaise."
"I admired him as a leader and cherish his friendship," Meese wrote in a 2004 essay for Heritage members and supporters. "Ronald Reagan had strong convictions. He was committed to the principles that had led to the founding of our nation. And he had the courage to follow his convictions against all odds."
Edwin Meese III was born Dec. 2, 1931, to Edwin Jr. and Leone Meese in Oakland, Calif. He graduated from Yale University in 1953 and holds a law degree from the University of California-Berkeley.
Meese spent much of his adult life working for Reagan, first after the former actor, sports announcer and athlete was elected as California’s governor in 1966 and then when he sought and won the presidency in 1980.
Reagan never forgot Meese's loyalty and hard work. During a press conference at which reporters questioned Meese's actions at the Justice Department, Reagan replied: "If Ed Meese is not a good man, there are no good men."
During the Reagan governorship, Meese served as executive assistant and chief of staff from 1969 through 1974 and as legal affairs secretary from 1967 through 1968. He previously was deputy district attorney in Alameda County, Calif.
From January 1981 to February 1985, Meese held the position of counsellor to the president -- the senior job on the White House staff -- and functioned as Reagan's chief policy adviser. In 1985, he received Government Executive magazine's annual award for excellence in management.
Meese served as the 75th attorney general of the United States from February 1985 to August 1988. As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, he directed the Justice Department and led international efforts to
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September 28, 2008I have a pocket copy of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and other amendments. On occasion, I read through it as it helps me to discern the direction the nation is going, who has taken a truthful oath of office and the like.
This book, The Heritage Guide to the Constitution is about a 450 hard cover that is excellent for finding out what the Founders of the country meant by what they said and how far the nation has strayed from it.
For example, the nation is not a democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic and as such, has some characteristics of a democracy—but not a pure democracy or “mob” rule. The Constitution itself never uses the word “democracy” or “democratic” but does guarantee each state a “republican form of government” (Art. 4.4). However, in discussion, the Founders used the terms sometimes interchangeably.
Could we call it a democratic republic? I see no need personally as a Constitutional Republic says it all. The interest of the people (Constitution) is maintained by elected officials to uphold it (hence the oaths of office found in the Constitution).
During this election year, I have also found this info (as well as other studies), to be helpful in evangelism.
If anyone reads this book, they will soon find out how much revisionist fiction has taken the country by storm and academics have missed the mark.
The grand thing is, there is only One Great Nation—the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ!
His rule never changes, never fails and never ends.
This book, The Heritage Guide to the Constitution is about a 450 hard cover that is excellent for finding out what the Founders of the country meant by what they said and how far the nation has strayed from it.
For example, the nation is not a democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic and as such, has some characteristics of a democracy—but not a pure democracy or “mob” rule. The Constitution itself never uses the word “democracy” or “democratic” but does guarantee each state a “republican form of government” (Art. 4.4). However, in discussion, the Founders used the terms sometimes interchangeably.
Could we call it a democratic republic? I see no need personally as a Constitutional Republic says it all. The interest of the people (Constitution) is maintained by elected officials to uphold it (hence the oaths of office found in the Constitution).
During this election year, I have also found this info (as well as other studies), to be helpful in evangelism.
If anyone reads this book, they will soon find out how much revisionist fiction has taken the country by storm and academics have missed the mark.
The grand thing is, there is only One Great Nation—the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ!
His rule never changes, never fails and never ends.
June 17, 2009
I took a Constitutional Law course senior year of college. Instead of purchasing the recommended texts, I bought this. I got an A in the class.
May 5, 2025
Book that every American should read. Enjoyed every page. The version I read was from 2005, so it was funny to read that there were only five presidents whose term limits were restricted by the 22nd amendment and that no one has ever disputed its restrictions (someone has now…).
Favorite Article: Article I, because it contains the Spending Clause which ensures that spending power is not in the hands of the same branch that executes the law.
Favorite Amendment other than 1st, 2nd, and 5th: The 10th Amendment for its enshrining of the Federalist principle, removing all doubt that the federal government is a government of limited powers.
Least Favorite Amendment: The 16th Amendment which enables the collection of income taxes.
Biggest Reassessment: The 19th Amendment. This turns out to be more of an act of clarifying something that already had support in practice going back to the very beginning of the nation. This Amendment did not “allow” for female suffrage - the 14th Amendment of 1868 contains the first use of other than gender-neutral language. Most states allowed female suffrage already at the time.
Still Not Sure About: The 17th Amendment. Popular election of Senators had legitimacy through informal non-binding popular elections already, so it wasn’t controversial; however, my federalist sympathies fight with my democratic sympathies here and make me concerned about the ways that this curtailed states’ rights.
Favorite Article: Article I, because it contains the Spending Clause which ensures that spending power is not in the hands of the same branch that executes the law.
Favorite Amendment other than 1st, 2nd, and 5th: The 10th Amendment for its enshrining of the Federalist principle, removing all doubt that the federal government is a government of limited powers.
Least Favorite Amendment: The 16th Amendment which enables the collection of income taxes.
Biggest Reassessment: The 19th Amendment. This turns out to be more of an act of clarifying something that already had support in practice going back to the very beginning of the nation. This Amendment did not “allow” for female suffrage - the 14th Amendment of 1868 contains the first use of other than gender-neutral language. Most states allowed female suffrage already at the time.
Still Not Sure About: The 17th Amendment. Popular election of Senators had legitimacy through informal non-binding popular elections already, so it wasn’t controversial; however, my federalist sympathies fight with my democratic sympathies here and make me concerned about the ways that this curtailed states’ rights.
July 22, 2016
I have read many commentaries on the U.S. Constitution. I own several of them. Most of them are useful in some way. Some of them are pleasant to read. A few of them are useful and interesting and nice to read. This one is probably the best. Because it is done by the Heritage Foundation, the book is an originalist view of the Constitution. Ed Meese is the main editor and the contributors to this volume are top-notch. Prominent law professors including Eugene Volokh, Richard Epstein, Ronald Rotunda, and Jonathan Turley are joined by Judges Ginsburg and Buckley from the D.C. Circuit. One of the best historians of the American founding, Forrest McDonald, is included as well. This is an all-star lineup. The book is organized by Article and section. The essays are short and well-written and easy to understand. They don’t dwell on theory, but give the historical and textual explanation of what the provision means and why it was written like it was. It is informative and accessible and it gives guidance for further reading. This is the guide that I will recommend whenever anyone has a question about the Constitution.
May 3, 2008
This is on my reference shelf directly above my computer as it is the single best resource I've yet found on the Constitution. So few can actually recite the pre-amble correctly. Fewer still could tell you what is covered in the Bill of Rights. From there, try and cherry pick some of the most important Amendments and cases and you lose the majority of the rest. EVERY home should have this book!
May 5, 2013
I believe that there are three basic resources that everyone should read and study to help them understand the Constitution and its original intent. These resources are: 1. Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, by James Madison; 2. The Federalist Papers, by Hamilton, Madison & Jay; 3. A Familiar Exposition of The Constitution Of The United States, by Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. However, I do believe I have found a fourth basic resource in this book!
March 3, 2009
This is a great guide to the Constitution...I am amazed at the background of each article and section is so well covered (and from both sides of the argument). This is a book that I will constantly be reading again and again for the rest of my life.
September 24, 2009
A line-by-line examination and critique of the Constitution, this is essential reading, as it's impossible to fully participate in American society and politics without knowing one's basic rights.
July 30, 2013
Heritage provides an excellent source of research for Constitutional questions, as scholars examine the Constitution line by line using the thoughts of the Founders and Judicial rulings to provide background. Very enlightening.
April 5, 2008
Very good synopsis of the Constitution and its original meaning.
March 29, 2008
Eye opening concepts and principles upon which are country was started and the rights guaranteed to the citizens thereof.
November 8, 2009
Great resource. Has helped a great deal at Wazzu.
December 10, 2009
This is a great reference that breaks down and examines every part of the U.S. Constitution. It's very brainy stuff, but it's fascinating. I love this book.
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August 5, 2011The one reference/guide to the Constitution that should be on everybody's book shelf.
December 2, 2012
excellent, very well researched, scholarly writing and authors
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July 21, 2013Surprisingly interesting to read cover to cover, not just as a reference book... if you're into the Constitution.
March 5, 2014
Very thorough
January 13, 2016
A great commentary on the original docs and the founders view of how the world works. Makes the argument for returning to original patter of thought on government and our foundations.
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January 18, 2010The Heritage Guide to the Constitution by Edwin Meese (2005)
March 31, 2017
To be perfectly honest, this book is the driest book I have ever read on the Constitution. It just dragged on... and on... and on.... The authors did make some good points, but it wasn't worth it to read the entire book
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews