Includes bibliographical references and index.

More than a casebook, this comprehensive text contains thirteen chapters that cover the entire range of topics in constitutional law. Each of the chapters includes an extended essay providing the legal, historical, political, and cultural contexts for the set of edited decisions from the United States Supreme Court that follows. In selecting, editing, and updating the materials, the authors emphasize recent trends in major areas of constitutional interpretation. At the same time, the authors include many landmark decisions, some of which retain importance as precedents while others illustrate the transient nature of constitutional interpretation. Because the book provides a good balance of decisions and authorial commentary, this text appeals to instructors of law as well as instructors of political science.