eBook Bill of Rights: A Users Guide epub

For years I had been trying to find a book that could fill a missing niche in my understanding of the debate that led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights. I had known that the insertion of a Bill of Rights was hotly debated by the founders. But, I never really completely understood the roots of the debate that brought the Bill into existence. "The Bill of Rights A User's Guide" has entirely filled that niche for me! Ms. Monk richly documents the historic background that led to its drafting as well as the early and subsequent interpretative development of the meaning of what I've actually always considered to be rather tersely worded Amendments growing out of an extremely contentious debate between our Federalists and Anti-Federalist founders.

I feel I understand the terseness in the wording now, and am glad for it, thanks to Ms. Monk's book.The Federalists (represented by luminaries like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams) had strongly opposed even the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. This book helped me to understand how a document that many of our Federalist founders felt wasn't even needed has became so central to our modern national identity. As I say, I have long tried to find a work that concisely lays out how that original debate (over even the inclusion of the Bill of Rights) came to evolve into such a defining part of our nation's psyche and identity. Ms. Monk’s book elaborates on this development beautifully.

In terms of layout, the material in the "The Bill of Rights A User's Guide" is very accessible. The work is done in an installment format, which makes it entirely useful as a reference work. I found it very easy to locate specific articles as well. Everything from Supreme Court decisions or debate summaries of a particular topic are all clearly delineated. I came to lean very heavily on the case and subject indexes finding them invaluable, constantly consulting them while I read. Most all the material I explored was centrally located with enough citations and subject leads to facilitate further study.

The material is organized principally by the individual Amendment wherein all rulings and discussions relevant to that Amendment are in the same section of the book. What I found most refreshing was that the book treats the subject matter within a basic historic framework so that it is easy to follow the case histories and debates that led to current interpretations (the evolution of philosophical meaning, if you will). Seeing current interpretations through this lens of historic development I found endlessly fascinating. I have looked for a work that lays the amendments out in this format for some time now and Ms. Monk's book is really the first work I’ve encountered that makes this available in a simple and accessible way that doesn't require a law degree to follow.

I should mention that the Federalist and anti-Federalist debate that led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights isn’t discussed overtly except only briefly in the early pages of the work. But, it was not hard to infer how central this debate between these two factions has resonated down through history into the present. It struck me while reading that it’s been over 200 years and those originating debates are still as alive and contentious as they were when the Bill of Rights was first being drafted. It also occurred to me over and over again as I read how much the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, especially considering that it could have so easily been foregone, has influenced the way modern American's think.

Imagine the current debate over bearing arms (in schools or otherwise) if there hadn't been a 2nd Amendment. Or, imagine the role of a free press and the current debate over "fake news" if there were no 1st Amendment. Those Amendments and all the others found in the Bill of Rights arguably might not have been drafted at all had the Federalists had more sway! We Americans call these debates by different names today. But, they really are the same old arguments that the founders debated, the struggle between those that believed that the nation should have a powerful central government (the Federalists) and those that wanted checks in place to limit the power of that government (the Anti-Federalists). If you want to understand this debate and you want to see how it has echoed down through history, I highly recommend that you give this book a read.

A great companion with the Words We Live By. Easy for students to read and understand. Has a lot of information about the history of the amendments and how they are applied. A must for any civics/government teacher in their classroom.

So thorough and informative yet simple and entertaining to read. Can't wait to "lift some lines" from this book to teach my students about the Bill of Rights its rich history and application across time. Great mix of expository writing with entertaining narrative. Valuable resource for my classroom for sure and any other teacher who teaches American history or government.

Monk’s books are so helpful for students and teachers of AP Government

This purchase was an excellent value. The book is concise, well written and informative. It explained some issues which have been unclear to me for many years. Every citizen and immigrant should be encouraged to read a book of this nature. No one should be eligible to vote unless they are familiar with its content! Kudos to the author!

This book is extremely helpful in my studies in Political Science. thanks so much for this incredible book. thank you.

This book is for everyone who wants to explore the accurate history of the amendments.It manages to do so without talking down
to anyone.

this is an excellent book that all Americans should read. Great service