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| Words We Live By, The: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution (Stonesong Press Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Linda R. Monk
Publisher: Hyperion
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $6.00
You Save: $8.95 (60%)
Buy New/Used from $5.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  (23 reviews)
Sales Rank: 8918
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.8 x 0.8
ISBN: 078688620X
Dewey Decimal Number: 342.7302
EAN: 9780786886203
ASIN: 078688620X
Publication Date: February 18, 2004
Release Date: February 18, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 the words we live by September 4, 2007
it was a very informative book, kindof like high school government class all over again.
Carrying on the conversation... October 14, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Linda Monk's book on the American Constitution, `The Words We Live By', is a wonderfully accessible and interesting introduction to the foundational document of the American polity. She starts in her introductory material by presenting the Constitution not as a dry and dusty piece of parchment to be revered but essentially ignored, but rather as an engagement of peoples in open conversation, something that can and should have an impact on the daily life and work of all Americans. Drawing inspiration from Judge Learned Hand, she states, `For the Constitution to have meaning, it must be not only the words we recite, but also the words we live by.'
Monk recognises the importance of the Constitution, and its unique place in history, but does not give it false priority by forgetting its historic underpinnings. The founders who gathered in convention in 1787 brought their backgrounds and training with them, as well as a sense of self-government and an awareness of what might work and not work in the newly formed nation, gained from 150 years of essentially self-rule as colonies.
The framers of the Constitution were not under the illusion that they were creating a perfect document, as Monk states, quoting Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes - `it is an experiment, as all life is an experiment.' The preamble of the Constitution, perhaps the best know part, strives to form `a more perfect union', not a perfect one.
Monk draws information from the Federalist papers, other documents contemporary with the Constitution, and artwork and illustrations to help the text come alive. For each section, be they preamble, article, or amendment, Monk first sets forth the text, and then provides a passage-by-passage commentary. Often this refers to court cases, government structures and procedures, and significant events that helped to shape the Constitution, even as it has worked to shape American society. There are side notes with definitions for key words and terms, quotable quotes from historians as well as historical figures, and text boxes separate from the main text body to draw particular emphasis on points of greater interest in contemporary issues (George Will on the question of term limits for Congress; Benjamin Franklin on property qualifications for voting; etc.).
Monk ends as she began, writing of the Constitution as words to live by in the future. She characterises the ongoing debate as one between different ideas of freedom - some see freedom as freedom from something (government intrusion and more), whereas others see freedom as freedom to achieve something. How this will ultimately be played out on a constitutional level is speculation, as is the conjecture on what may become future amendments to the Constitution.
Overall, this was a fun book to read, informative and interesting. Monk draws text box and side-bar quotations and examples from across the political spectrum and across American history, to give a reasonable balance toward the issues politically. This is useful particularly for high school and undergraduate civics and political science classes, as well as American history classes. It is also good for general readers, and has a layout that shows an awareness of the importance of different colours, images, typefaces and more for keeping visual interest in addition to interest in content.
This will help one live by the words more fully.
Constitution January 29, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
As a student who began an in-depth study of the Constitution this year, this book was my introduction to the Constitution. Never having known that much about the government or Constitution, this book was incredibly helpful in giving a fairly deep overview of what the Constitution meant, clause by clause.
 Useful for kids and internet newbies July 21, 2005
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
I would recommend this book to two types of folks:
1) If you have kids in junior high or high school. This would be an excellent resource for them in their civics classes in regards to providing an excellent, though shallow, perspective on the Constitution.
2) If you haven't yet required the skills to search the Internet for specific topics or don't possess readibly available access to the Internet.
Ms. Monk does an excellent job with the perspective she provides. My quibble is how thin this volume is, quite frankly I was hoping for more perspective. I do admit I occasionally use it, thus three stars, but I find myself mostly using the Internet or my other books on the Constitution as reference sources rather than Ms. Monk's publication.
Brief overview July 20, 2005
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book provides an insightful view of the constitution, and clearly articulates the meaning of the passages we hold so dear. It also creates ground for a much deeper appreciation of the form of government to which we submit. Anyone who enjoys politics should read this book-as it not only explains the Constitution, but also the historical significance behind several of its articles.
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