The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States (Bantam Classic)

My brainless liberal professor only had us get this so he can trash talk the building blocks to our great country, reading this has only strengthened my resolve as a person who loves the United States.

The Constitution is the Constitution as is the Declaration Independence, Bill of Rights and following Amendments, regardless of the publisher. Pauline Maier wrote an excellent 45 page introduction discussing mood and feelings of the people of the day and 5 pages of notes on her introduction telling the source documents substantiating her introduction. The editing process is thoroughly discussed, for all 3 of the documents and cross references are provided that are annotated to Amendments that changed the Constitution itself and preceding Amendments that were changed or revoked by later Amendments. This book vastly simplifies reading the Constitution as it developed and evolved into the Constitution we protect today. Bluntly, it is fun to read, extremely informative and the best simple way I have ever found to know The Constitution from it's origin to where it stands amended into The Constitution we protect today.

I was looking for a token gift for a friend who recently became a US citizen - what's more appropriate than these important documents? YES, she could have found them online for free. YES, there are copies out there that are lovelier or have higher print qualities. However, I wanted her to have something that she could read, easily, when she wanted, but mostly I wanted her to have something that told her I was thinking of her.Ultimately, what makes this volume worthwhile is the price, bar none. If you're willing to spend more, you'll get the same exact text, with a nicer presentation. If you value, well, value, then this is the edition for you.(I also got her a "Kiss me I'm an American" t-shirt!)

Pauline Meier wrote an outstanding summary of our founding documents. Authoritative and fluid. Should be must reading for all high school and college freshmen students.

Was required for my sociology class. I've used it a few times during class. It might come in handy later in my school, so it is good to have.Its a small book maybe 5x3, so it fits nicely into any bag. Its easy to hold. Always good to have on hand.

Just what I was looking for ..thanks

It is a very handy little book. It is a nice reference for both of these important documents.

kind of short would have liked more information

This small book contains full versions of the two most important documents that form the US constitutional system. These documents are themselves short, concise and to the point - something that maybe modern constitutional document writers should remember.There is a certain amount of historical context given for these documents in the introduction and notes, but this is not a history book. If you're after a concise history of the USA, then you might want to consider something like the "Mental Floss" history of the USA, which gives a quick history of the country - including the drafting of these documents - in only 400 easy-reading pages. The jocular style might not be to everyone's taste, though.

Small but stunning, an absolute must for any American and certainly for anybody interested in American history and politics. The introduction takes up about half of the book, which seems quite comical but takes nothing away from the book's quality.I'll repeat, just an absolute must have.

Was looking for a general guide of the creation of the USA. Although I would claim not to be an expert even after reading this book it certainly has cleared up a lot of my questions. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the formation of the USA as a new world order.

Very good read, now I understand all the chat on programmes like the West Wing and political US programmes.

This little book is a great read and more relevant today than it has ever been. All the information you will need on the constitution is very well presented in a compact package that fits in your back pocket.