An insightful, urgent, and perennially relevant handbook that lays out in common sense language how the United States Constitution works, including the vital concept of checks and balances, and how its protections are eroding before our eyes—essential reading for anyone who wants to understand and parse the constantly breaking news about the backbone of American government.

The Constitution is the most significant document in America. But do you fully understand what this valuable document means to you? In How to Read the Constitution and Why Now, legal expert and educator Kimberly Wehle spells out in clear, simple, and common sense terms what is in the Constitution, and most importantly, what it means. In compelling terms, she describes how the Constitution’s protections are eroding—not only in express terms but by virtue of the many legal and social norms that no longer shore up its legitimacy—and why every American needs to heed to this “red flag” moment in our democracy.

This invaluable—and timely—resource covers nearly every significant aspect of the Constitution, from the powers of the President and how the three branches of government are designed to hold each other accountable, to what it means to have individual rights as outlined in the Bill of Rights—including free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to an abortion. Finally, the book explains why it has never been more important than now for all Americans to know how our Constitution works—and why, if we don’t step in to protect it now, we could lose its protections forever.

How to Read the Constitution and Why Now is essential reading for anyone who cares about maintaining an accountable government and the individual freedoms that the Constitution enshrines for everyone in America—regardless of political party.

This timely resource breaks down the essential pillars of American government:

Separation of Powers: A clear breakdown of the roles of the President, Congress, and the courts, and how they are designed to hold each other accountable.
The First Amendment: Explore the freedoms of speech and religion, and understand the ongoing debates about their limits in the modern world.
Modern Constitutional Crises: An urgent look at how legal and social norms are eroding, and why this is a “red flag” moment for American democracy.
Civics for Every Citizen: Written in simple, common sense terms, this guide makes complex legal concepts accessible to everyone, regardless of political party.
The Power of the People: Understand why it has never been more important for Americans to know how our Constitution works—and what you can do to protect it.

How to Read the Constitution--and Why Teaching Guide

How to Read the Constitution--and Why Teaching Guide