The Words We Live By

The United States Constitution is the basis for our most fundamental rights as Americans and has been a key element in nearly every major legal and political debate ever argued. But how many of us actually understand the language used by our Founding Fathers?

Now Linda R. Monk, an award-winning author and journalist, takes us through the Constitution, line by line, to help us comprehend this amazing document and to see the variety of ways in which it has been interpreted. From the Preamble--which she analyzes with inspiration and opposing opinions from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Charlton Heston, and James Madison--through each and every amendment, Monk enlightens us by offering insight, legal expertise, surprise facts and little-known information, alternate interpretations, and historical anecdotes to breathe meaning into this provocative and hallowed document.

Linda R. Monk received the American Bar Association's silver Gavel Award twice--for her book The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide, and for her work on the documentary Profiles in Freedom: A Living Bill of Rights. A graduate of Harvard Law School, she is a frequent contributor to newspapers nationwide.