The Declaration of Independence (Bantam Classic)

Rating:
Summary: The Foundations of America in One Book
Review: Compact, thorough, and informative, the Bantam Classics edition of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States is a great book to have around. For students or anyone wanting to understand the factors that led to the writing of both of these important documents, this edition discusses the reasons that led Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other important politicians in the newly created United States to draw up such charters.

Editor Pauline Maier does a good job of covering the background of events that led to the Declaration and Constitution. Being compact in size, I see this book as being helpful for most high school students or prospective candidates for American citizenship because it can be carried in a pocket, purse, or coat pocket, and can be pulled out whenever necessary. The book's price is also a great incentive to buy a copy, because it won't blow a hole in your budget.

Overall, a great book at a great price!

Rating:
Summary: Constitution of the United States, 1791 (Summary)
Review: Every American should know the contents of the The U.S. Constitution and review it annually.

The Constitution defines, empowers, and limits the U.S. government. After the 13 colonies had issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, they needed to write the Constitution in order to define the Government of the United States of America. The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin (81). The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey (26).

Some members of the Constitutional Convention refused to sign the final document because they were fearful of an all-powerful government and wanted a bill of rights added to protect the rights of the people. The states refused to ratify the Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added. Hence the Bill of Rights became the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution in 1789.

The original U.S. Constitution was 6 pages and contained 4,400 words. It is written in plain English to be understood by all Americans. It is the oldest and the shortest written constitution of any government in the world.

Constitution of the United States 1791 (Summary)

Preamble

The Preamble defines those roles and responsibilities that are unique to the Federal Government. Justice, common defense, general welfare and tranquility, and liberty.

Articles

The first 3 articles of the Constitution define the branches of Government:

Article 1 defines the Legislature, also called Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Article 2 defines the powers and duties of the Executive Branch (President), and the rules for impeachment
Article 3 covers the Judicial Power embodied in the Supreme Court, including the definition of treason.
Article 4 covers States rights.
Article 5 describes how the Constitution can be amended.
Article 6 relates to Constitutional supremacy.
Article 7 describes how the Constitution will be approved by the states.

Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) 1791

1 - Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
2 - Militia and the right to keep and bear arms
3 - Housing of soldiers
4 - Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
5 - Due process
6 - Speedy trial
7 - Trial by jury
8 - Cruel and unusual punishment
9 - Rights
10 - Powers not defined
The following Amendments have been added to the Constitution:
11 - Judicial powers (1795)
12 - Election of president and vice-president (1804)
13 - Slavery abolished (1865)
14 - Limits upon states (1868)
15 - Right to vote not limited by race (1870)
16 - Income tax (1913)
17 - Election of senators (1913)
18 - Prohibition of alcohol (1919) [repealed by 21st Amendment (1933)]
19 - Right to vote given to women (1920)
20 - Terms of office of president, vice president, senators, and representatives (1933)
21 - Repeal of Prohibition (Amendment 18) (1933)
22 - Presidency limited to two terms (1951)
23 - Presidential vote in D.C. (1961)
24 - No poll tax (1964)
25 - Presidential disability and succession (1967)
26 - Voting age lowered to 18 (1971)
27 - Congressional pay (proposed in 1789, ratified in 1992)

Check out the U.S. Constitution. You will find it both interesting and informative.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: I agree with the reader from Washington, DC. The book is overrated and not much more than the actual documents. Very disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Can you spend three dollars any wiser?
Review: If you are the least bit interested in politics and why it happens the way it does, begin here, of course! Great price, informative historical background of the document included.

Rating:
Summary: Knowledge is Power
Review: It is under three dollars. It has full text of the two most important documents in our countries social contract. What more do you want? For under three dollars?

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Summary: Misquote
Review: The editorial review for this book misquotes the Declaration of Independence. The review states this: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

In reality, the Declaration says this: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

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Summary: The Other Reviews Of This Book Were Misleading
Review: The founders were men of the Enlightenment and the ideas they held led to the greatest advance in the history of civilization: the creation of the United States of America. The vehicles for their earth-changing achievement were two primary documents: The Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the Constitution of 1787.

Every citizen should have a copy of these two documents. As an act of proud affirmation, they should make the effort to understand the ideas they contain. For within these two documents lay the very foundations of freedom in a civil society: the principle of individual rights, representative government, and limited powers.

If there is a child in your life that is important to you-give them this book, and take the time to sit with them and read it. I guarantee you both will be richer for the experience.

Rating:
Summary: the most imortant document ever written by free men
Review: This is the most important work ever devised by free men. NUFF SAID.
I have several copies of the the constitution both in book form and on the internet. The best part about this copy is that its cheap and it can fit in your pocket.
I carry this particular copy in my truck to show police officers when they forget that they took an oath to uphold it.
You should see there befuddled faces when I ask them to recite the first, second, and fourth amendments. Its truly pathetic. Any body who takes an oath to uphold the constitution should be required to commit it to memory

Rating:
Summary: Save Your Money!
Review: Why should I pay the money when I can get the documents for free on the Internet! The comments from the author added nothing to the book. What a waste of money! I would like to have given the book zero stars, but the lowest rating I could offer was 1 star. There are other much better books on the constitution, all available from Amazon. I have bought several which were much better.