"A plainspoken guide to the founding principles of the United States"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1: Our national experiment. Political thought and government theory -- The founders and a new form of government -- The birth of the constitution -- Ratification and the Bill of Rights -- Part 2: Balancing the branches. Articles I through III: separation of powers -- Articles IV through VII: making the federal system work -- Part 3: Your basic rights. The first amendment: freedom of expression -- The second and third amendments: arms and armies -- The fourth amendment: unreasonable searches and seizures -- The fifth amendment: due process -- The sixth and seventh amendments: fair trials -- The eighth amendment: bail and punishment -- The ninth through twelfth amendments: the political system -- The thirteenth through fifteenth amendments: civil rights -- The sixteenth and seventeenth amendments: taxes and senators -- The eighteenth and twenty-first amendments: prohibition and repeal -- The nineteenth amendment: women's suffrage -- The twentieth, twenty-second, through twenty-seventh amendments -- Part 4: The future of the constitution. The ERA and other failed amendments -- Looming constitutional issues -- Glossary -- Resources -- The US Constitution -- Index.

"One of the most revered, imitated, and controversial governmental documents in the world, the US Constitution serves as the foundation for the American government and shapes the lives of Americans every day. But what do you know about its history and the impact it has on guiding an ever-evolving nation? This book provides a clear look at the single document that defines America, including the birth of the Constitution and the history and details of its amendments. This revision covers recent court rulings related to the Constitution and how those decisions have ramifications for everyday Americans. If you've never fully read the Constitution before, this guide will give you an opportunity to learn about the most influential document in US history."--Provided by publisher.