Constitution is Born, A


Book Description

Now, as never before, basic knowledge of our governmental heritage is essential if we want to be empowered to keep elected officials accountable and defeat the forces that would destroy our freedoms. The truths of the Constitution must be embedded in our hearts—(not blocked out by social media or minds captured by electronic devices) as it is the only way to a guarantee of freedom. Since the celebration of the 200th anniversary of our Constitution, all three departments of government have, to a large degree, ignored the Constitution. Neglect of the principles contained in our Constitution has been responsible for the loss of many of the freedoms it guaranteed. A Constitution is Born was written to be a clarion call, loud and clear, for renewed patriotism, a love for country and above all a realization that our direction comes from God, not from man, and we are responsible to Him, our Maker. This brief history of the U.S. Constitution with relevant information is to be a sword of the Lord, piercing the heart and soul, invoking action to carry out His plan as He makes it known to us. Our continuing prayer is that this book will find a special place in the hearts of Americans and that they will read it to their children to provide insight and understanding as to what it means to be a free, courageous American with increased faith in our God who has brought us this far. "The importance of educating our youth about the principles set forth in our Constitution has always been high on my list of priorities. I am pleased and excited to recommend the work of Barbara Aud and Norma Swanson through A Constitution is Born. The book provides a brief history of the Constitution and what it means in layman's terms"—Ronald M. Mann, Former Director and Deputy Director of the Commission of the Bi-Centennial of the Constitution, Special Advisor to President Ronald Reagan "Norma Swanson and Barbara Aud’s new book, A Constitution is Born is a must-read for every American citizen. In this fascinating book, they trace the invisable hand of God in formulating the foundational guiding document for our nation. This book is essential reading for everyone who wants to know the truth of the founding of our country."—Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and Fox News Contributor. "Our children must understand the freedoms that the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution guarantees for all Americans if our republic is to survive. A Constitution is Born is a vital tool available to all parents, teachers, and all who love liberty. Read this book, teach it to your children, share it with your students, tell your neighbors about it. This is something you can do to light freedom’s way for generations to come."—Dr. Robert Sweet, Jr., Professional Staff Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, United States House of Representatives "As you become aware of today's political and social climate and the attack on our freedoms, you can't help but think A Constitution is Born could not have been published in a timelier manner. Citizens both young and old, now more than ever, need to understand the sacrifice and principles that were so thoughtfully crafted in the Constitution by its designers. Every household, school and church should have this book and integrate the principles and truths into their lives."—Rose Gamblen, Ph.D, Educational Specialist and Published Author, Professor, Penn State, Producer and Co-Host of My Home School Companion, radio network "I APPLAUD Barbara Aud and Norma Swanson for their many hours of research and labor in producing this very timely book, A Constitution is Born. Never before have we needed to provide for our youth a basic understanding of how they received the freedom by which they live, and how the hand of God moved in the forming of the nation as we know it today. As an educator, I highly recommend that every home and parent make this book a 'must' in the education of their children."—Dr. Arthur Nazigian, Board Chairman Emeritus, Association of Christian Schools International, Published Author, Charter member ACSI Board.




If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution


Book Description

This behind-the-scenes study of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 details the events of the convention, the debate over constitutional issues, and the delegates




America's Constitution


Book Description

In America’s Constitution, one of this era’s most accomplished constitutional law scholars, Akhil Reed Amar, gives the first comprehensive account of one of the world’s great political texts. Incisive, entertaining, and occasionally controversial, this “biography” of America’s framing document explains not only what the Constitution says but also why the Constitution says it. We all know this much: the Constitution is neither immutable nor perfect. Amar shows us how the story of this one relatively compact document reflects the story of America more generally. (For example, much of the Constitution, including the glorious-sounding “We the People,” was lifted from existing American legal texts, including early state constitutions.) In short, the Constitution was as much a product of its environment as it was a product of its individual creators’ inspired genius. Despite the Constitution’s flaws, its role in guiding our republic has been nothing short of amazing. Skillfully placing the document in the context of late-eighteenth-century American politics, America’s Constitution explains, for instance, whether there is anything in the Constitution that is unamendable; the reason America adopted an electoral college; why a president must be at least thirty-five years old; and why–for now, at least–only those citizens who were born under the American flag can become president. From his unique perspective, Amar also gives us unconventional wisdom about the Constitution and its significance throughout the nation’s history. For one thing, we see that the Constitution has been far more democratic than is conventionally understood. Even though the document was drafted by white landholders, a remarkably large number of citizens (by the standards of 1787) were allowed to vote up or down on it, and the document’s later amendments eventually extended the vote to virtually all Americans. We also learn that the Founders’ Constitution was far more slavocratic than many would acknowledge: the “three fifths” clause gave the South extra political clout for every slave it owned or acquired. As a result, slaveholding Virginians held the presidency all but four of the Republic’s first thirty-six years, and proslavery forces eventually came to dominate much of the federal government prior to Lincoln’s election. Ambitious, even-handed, eminently accessible, and often surprising, America’s Constitution is an indispensable work, bound to become a standard reference for any student of history and all citizens of the United States.




We the People


Book Description

The US Constitution brought to life for young readers! In this visual celebration of the US Constitution and America's founding fathers, Caldecott Medalist Peter Spier tells the stirring American tale of how this most important document came to symbolize freedom, justice, equality, and hope for all citizens. This fact-filled volume includes: • An illustrated preamble to the Constitution, illuminating its signifcance from its birth through to modern times • The complete text of the Constitution • The fascinating history of the struggle to create and ratify the Constitution • A historical reproduction of the original document Full of illustrations that bring the Constitution to life, this is a must-have resource for every American classroom, library, and home. ★ “A joyful celebration of the people whose leaders created the Constitution.” —Booklist, starred review “A celebration of America’s diversity.” —Kirkus Reviews “Spier has created a tribute that can be appreciated in more than one sitting.” —Publishers Weekly




The Genius of America


Book Description

Due to a combination of heightened frustration, moves to skirt the constitutional process, and a widespread disconnect between the people and their constitutional "conscience," Lane and Oreskes warn us our longstanding Democracy is at risk. Together, they examine the Constitution's history relative to this current crisis, from its framing to its centuries-long success, including during some of the country's most turbulent and contentious times, and challenge us to let this great document work as it was designed-valuing political process over product. They hold our leaders accountable, calling on them to stop fanning the flames of division and to respect their institutional roles. In the final assessment, The Genius of America asks us to lean on the framers and their experience to secure our country's wellbeing.




This is Our Constitution


Book Description

The author traces his family's experiences immigrating to the U.S. to introduce the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, explaining how it represents America's democratic values and discussing the importance of the documents' history.




Cracks in the Constitution


Book Description




Strangers to the Constitution


Book Description

Gerald Neuman discusses in historical and contemporary terms the repeated efforts of U.S. insiders to claim the Constitution as their exclusive property and to deny constitutional rights to aliens and immigrants--and even citizens if they are outside the nation's borders. Tracing such efforts from the debates over the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798 to present-day controversies about illegal aliens and their children, the author argues that no human being subject to the governance of the United States should be a "stranger to the Constitution." Thus, whenever the government asserts its power to impose obligations on individuals, it brings them within the constitutional system and should afford them constitutional rights. In Neuman's view, this mutuality of obligation is the most persuasive approach to extending constitutional rights extraterritorially to all U.S. citizens and to those aliens on whom the United States seeks to impose legal responsibilities. Examining both mutuality and more flexible theories, Neuman defends some constitutional constraints on immigration and deportation policies and argues that the political rights of aliens need not exclude suffrage. Finally, in regard to whether children born in the United States to illegally present alien parents should be U.S. citizens, he concludes that the Constitution's traditional shield against the emergence of a hereditary caste of "illegals" should be vigilantly preserved.




The Words That Made Us


Book Description

A history of the American Constitution's formative decades from a preeminent legal scholar When the US Constitution won popular approval in 1788, it was the culmination of thirty years of passionate argument over the nature of government. But ratification hardly ended the conversation. For the next half century, ordinary Americans and statesmen alike continued to wrestle with weighty questions in the halls of government and in the pages of newspapers. Should the nation's borders be expanded? Should America allow slavery to spread westward? What rights should Indian nations hold? What was the proper role of the judicial branch? In The Words that Made Us, Akhil Reed Amar unites history and law in a vivid narrative of the biggest constitutional questions early Americans confronted, and he expertly assesses the answers they offered. His account of the document's origins and consolidation is a guide for anyone seeking to properly understand America's Constitution today.




We The People


Book Description

See the US Constitution in a new light with this bold, modern and accessible illustrated guide to the document that helped define democracy. With the unprecedented events and actions that have tested the American political system over the last several years, including the violent overtaking of the U.S. Capitol Building, there has never been a better time to take a closer look at the Constitution, the bedrock of U.S. politics. As part of the critical discussion of current events at school and at home, inquisitive minds will have their questions vividly answered – and new ones raised – by a mix of striking illustrations and clear, engaging text, including passages from the Constitution given in plain English. As well as a detailed history covering the original Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all Amendments, discover how this milestone in American democracy shapes and is shaped by the world at large. We The People shows that, far from a fusty old piece of paper, the US Constitution is a living, evolving rule book that is as relevant today as it has ever been. A fresh take on a monumental document, navigating in style its history and its life today. Excerpts from the Constitution are presented here in plain English to help young thinkers better understand the role it plays in everyday life. Accessible, energetic text accompanied by contemporary, powerful illustrations allows children aged 10 and older to re-think the Constitution in a totally new way. A balanced examination that does not shy away from addressing the difficulties of interpreting and adapting the Constitution for the modern world. We The People takes the Constitution out of its display case, blows off the dust and re-imagines this piece of history for the next generation.