John R. Vile is professor of political science and dean of the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro. He is the author and coeditor of numerous books, including Encyclopedia of the First Amendment as well as Encyclopedia of Constitutional Amendments, Proposed Amendments, and Amending Issues, 1789-1995; The Constitutional Convention of 1787; Great American Lawyers; Great American Judges, and Essential Supreme Court Decisions among others.

• Preface to the Fifth EditionAcknowledgmentsChapter 1: The Background and Purposes of the ConstitutionChapter 2: Article I: The Legislative BranchChapter 3: Article II:The Executive BranchChapter 4: Article III: The Judicial BranchChapter 5: Article IV: The Federal SystemChapter 6: Articles V-VII: The Amending Provision and Miscellaneous MattersChapter 7: The Bill of RightsChapter 8: The Bill of Rights: Of Arms and Men—Amendments 2-3Chapter 9: The Bill of Rights and the Rights of the Accused and the Convicted—Amendments 4-8Chapter 10: The Bill of Rights, the Rights of the StatesChapter 11: The Post-Civil War Amendments—Amendments 13-15Chapter 12: The Progressive Era Amendments—Amendments 16-19Chapter 13: The Recent Amendments—Amendments 20-27Reading Supreme Court DecisionsGlossaryHighlights of Constitutional HistoryU.S. Supreme Court JusticesAppendix 1: The Constitution of the United StatesAppendix 2: The Declaration of IndependenceAppendix 3: The Articles of ConfederationIndex

Well organized and reliable, it is the best introductory guide to the Constitution currently available. It can be used for senior and AP classes in high schools, as well as college level introductions to the Constitution or courses on US government. Highly recommended.

John R. Vile is professor of political science and dean of the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro. He is the author and coeditor of numerous books, including Encyclopedia of the First Amendment as well as Encyclopedia of Constitutional Amendments, Proposed Amendments, and Amending Issues, 1789-1995; The Constitutional Convention of 1787; Great American Lawyers; Great American Judges, and Essential Supreme Court Decisions among others.

• Preface to the Fifth EditionAcknowledgmentsChapter 1: The Background and Purposes of the ConstitutionChapter 2: Article I: The Legislative BranchChapter 3: Article II:The Executive BranchChapter 4: Article III: The Judicial BranchChapter 5: Article IV: The Federal SystemChapter 6: Articles V-VII: The Amending Provision and Miscellaneous MattersChapter 7: The Bill of RightsChapter 8: The Bill of Rights: Of Arms and Men—Amendments 2-3Chapter 9: The Bill of Rights and the Rights of the Accused and the Convicted—Amendments 4-8Chapter 10: The Bill of Rights, the Rights of the StatesChapter 11: The Post-Civil War Amendments—Amendments 13-15Chapter 12: The Progressive Era Amendments—Amendments 16-19Chapter 13: The Recent Amendments—Amendments 20-27Reading Supreme Court DecisionsGlossaryHighlights of Constitutional HistoryU.S. Supreme Court JusticesAppendix 1: The Constitution of the United StatesAppendix 2: The Declaration of IndependenceAppendix 3: The Articles of ConfederationIndex

Well organized and reliable, it is the best introductory guide to the Constitution currently available. It can be used for senior and AP classes in high schools, as well as college level introductions to the Constitution or courses on US government. Highly recommended.

John R. Vile is professor of political science and dean of the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro. He is the author and coeditor of numerous books, including Encyclopedia of the First Amendment as well as Encyclopedia of Constitutional Amendments, Proposed Amendments, and Amending Issues, 1789-1995; The Constitutional Convention of 1787; Great American Lawyers; Great American Judges, and Essential Supreme Court Decisions among others.

• Preface to the Fifth EditionAcknowledgmentsChapter 1: The Background and Purposes of the ConstitutionChapter 2: Article I: The Legislative BranchChapter 3: Article II:The Executive BranchChapter 4: Article III: The Judicial BranchChapter 5: Article IV: The Federal SystemChapter 6: Articles V-VII: The Amending Provision and Miscellaneous MattersChapter 7: The Bill of RightsChapter 8: The Bill of Rights: Of Arms and Men—Amendments 2-3Chapter 9: The Bill of Rights and the Rights of the Accused and the Convicted—Amendments 4-8Chapter 10: The Bill of Rights, the Rights of the StatesChapter 11: The Post-Civil War Amendments—Amendments 13-15Chapter 12: The Progressive Era Amendments—Amendments 16-19Chapter 13: The Recent Amendments—Amendments 20-27Reading Supreme Court DecisionsGlossaryHighlights of Constitutional HistoryU.S. Supreme Court JusticesAppendix 1: The Constitution of the United StatesAppendix 2: The Declaration of IndependenceAppendix 3: The Articles of ConfederationIndex

Well organized and reliable, it is the best introductory guide to the Constitution currently available. It can be used for senior and AP classes in high schools, as well as college level introductions to the Constitution or courses on US government. Highly recommended.