How to Read the Constitution--and Why

By: Kim Wehle

Narrated by: Kim Wehle

""A must-read for this era.”—Jake Tapper, CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent

An insightful, urgent, and perennially relevant handbook that lays out in common sense language how the United States Constitution works, 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, 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 and including text from the United States Constitution, 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 includes the Constitution in its entirety and covers nearly every significant aspect of the text, 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—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 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.

Good Starter for Trouble Times

A good place to start in time when it is more important than ever to try know what's going on. A good deal of prescient impeachment material.
This is not going to be new territory for those who have studied the subject but is interesting nonetheless.
It is refreshing to hear female pronouns used as the norm when referring to individuals. For example X hired a lawyer and she petitioned the court; Though the judge made a subjective ruling her reasoning was solid; and, The President exercised her Article One power.

As a heterosexual married male reader of a great deal of audio books it sounds new and caused me to reflect on how dominant male pronouns are in so many books dealing with these subjects. One could even make the case that it could lead to implicit bias. Call me a Woke Snowflake but more authors should follow suit and at the very least mix it up.

Good start to understanding the US Constitution

was on the fence about this one because of all of the negative reviews about bias, but believe this is an informative read on the US Constitution. Of course those that would seek to diminish democracy would not want to hear what's in this text.

Food for thought

Having heard Kim Whele discuss law with Glenn Kirschner on “Justice Matters” I was intrigued by her method of explaining laws in a straightforward, easy to understand context and thought I need to know more. I wasn’t disappointed and read the book and listened carefully to the description of what is and isn’t in our Constitution. While many questions were answered but with Constitutional language I was left with many more thoughts and wondered why anyone would want to study law. I highly recommend this book.

A good perspective on the Constitution

I enjoyed this book/audiobook.

While some could probably pinpoint some bias here and there in the book, the author pointed out where both sides of the political spectrum use their believed intent of the Constitution or the literal wording of it to favor themselves or sway people away from the other side’s influence.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants more information on civics in our great country.

Great book and author is amazing!

Loved it! Great comintary and fun to listen to. I learned a lot and will be listening to it again.