TIME The Constitution:

About the Book:

Americans have debated the Constitution since the day its was signed, but rarely in its 223-year history have so many disagreed so fiercely about so much. Everywhere there seems to be debate about the Constitution's meaning and message. The Tea Party, with its almost fanatical focus on the founding document, contends that its primary purpose is to restrain the federal government-but does it really say that?

Among scholars, some believe the Constitution should be interpreted exactly as the framers wrote it, while others analyze the text just as closely to find the elasticity they believe the framers had in mind. But how could the founding fathers know about the world today, with DNA, sexting, airplanes, TV, Medicare, computers and Lady Gaga?

 In this probing and accessible book, TIME's editors bring the founding document to life, showing how it was written in a spirit of change and revolution and turbulence. With an introduction by one of America's top jurists, an essay by TIME managing editor Richard Stengel (former president of the National Constitution Center), and the full text of the 8,000-word Constitution annotated to show its most controversial passages and little-known quirks, TIME's compact volume will be an indispensable guide for the well-informed citizen.

Praise for TIME The Constitution:

“Sandra Day O'Conner did a brillant job writing the introduction, helping us understand the constitution...Everone should read this and then the Federalist Papers which were written soon after the Constitution to help the states understand it better. so they would ratifry it James Madison. John Jay and Alexander Hamilton wrote them. They were very helpful at the time and I'm sure they would be helpful now. What a wonderful experiment our country has been. The first to be goverened by the people and for the people...now many countries have their own verision of democracy. Most Americans would benefit from reading more about our history and what the colonist had to endure to better understand how fortunate we are. They weren't perfect, they made some mistakes but they survived.” —Amazon Review by Ruthmarie

“I am completely satisfied with this little gem. It is everything I had hoped it would be and I find myself taking it with me when I am going to an appointment to read in the waiting room as it is head and shoulders above whatever else is in the waiting room. It is certainly thought provoking; I find myself reading a little and then my thoughts take me wondering off into space over what I have just read. This is probably one of the very best books I have purchased in years.” —Amazon Review by Del

“The entire constitution, including amendments with prefatory comments that put it in a greater political and historical context. In line comments explain outdated or dense language and continue to present context. Well worth reading. Can't believe I never read the Constitution before.” —Goodreads Review by Greg Chandler