The Bill of Rights: A History in Documents

By John J. Patrick

The Bill of Rights is an extraordinary collection of original documents, carefully introduced and put into context by historian John Patrick, that traces the origins of the Bill of Rights back to England's Magna Carta and its legal traditions through to present day controversies over freedoms of speech, religion, bearing arms, assembling, and more. Examples of challenges to the Bill of Rights include:

* The Sedition Act of 1798, which made it illegal to express criticism of the U.S. government
* The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II * George W. Bush's Executive Order of November 13, 2001, expanding the government's authority against individuals when terrorism is suspected.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195103548
• ISBN13: 9780195103540
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.0" x 10.6"

Customer Reviews

Simply Outstanding! Excellent for Reports and Learning

I was extremely impressed with this book is so many ways. First, it thoroughly explains the Bill of Rights in a way that is very easy to understand. The reading level is that of a mainstream magazine, such as Time, so anyone can understand this book. Yet it is thorough. I learned so much about the Bill of Rights by reading it. The book teaches you by using original sources, such as the writings and Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the actual Supreme Court opinions of important decisions, newspaper clippings, cartoons, and pictures. Some of the writings are moving at times. This is history and learning at its best. Highly recommended for learning about the Bill of Rights, understanding the Constitution, and school reports.