The Penguin Guide to the United States Constitution

A Fully Annotated Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Amendments, and Selections from The Federalist Papers

What is the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court really allowed to do? This essential and handy guide includes the documents that guide our government, annotated with accessible explanations from one of America's most esteemed constitutional scholars

Professor Richard Beeman was one of that nation's foremost experts on the United States Constitution, as comfortable on campus as on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In this book, he has produced what every American should have: a compact, fully annotated copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and amendments, all in their entirety. A marvel of accessibility and erudition, the guide also features a history of the making of the Constitution with excerpts from The Federalist Papers and a look at crucial Supreme Court cases that reminds us that the meaning of many of the specific provisions of the Constitution has changed over time.

"Excellent . . . valuable and judicious." -Jill Lepore, The New Yorker
Richard Beeman is a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of several books on the history of revolutionary America; his biography of Patrick Henry was a finalist for the National Book Award. He has received awards from, among others, the Rockefeller Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he has served as Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. Professor Beeman also serves as a trustee and vice-chair of the Distinguished Scholars Panel of the National Constitution Center. He lives in Philadelphia. View titles by Richard Beeman
"Excellent . . . valuable and judicious." -Jill Lepore, The New Yorker

About

What is the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court really allowed to do? This essential and handy guide includes the documents that guide our government, annotated with accessible explanations from one of America's most esteemed constitutional scholars

Professor Richard Beeman was one of that nation's foremost experts on the United States Constitution, as comfortable on campus as on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In this book, he has produced what every American should have: a compact, fully annotated copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and amendments, all in their entirety. A marvel of accessibility and erudition, the guide also features a history of the making of the Constitution with excerpts from The Federalist Papers and a look at crucial Supreme Court cases that reminds us that the meaning of many of the specific provisions of the Constitution has changed over time.

"Excellent . . . valuable and judicious." -Jill Lepore, The New Yorker

Author

Richard Beeman is a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of several books on the history of revolutionary America; his biography of Patrick Henry was a finalist for the National Book Award. He has received awards from, among others, the Rockefeller Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he has served as Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. Professor Beeman also serves as a trustee and vice-chair of the Distinguished Scholars Panel of the National Constitution Center. He lives in Philadelphia. View titles by Richard Beeman

Praise

"Excellent . . . valuable and judicious." -Jill Lepore, The New Yorker

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and educators are increasingly aware that integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum is critical if we want students to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Download the thematic educator guides on Teaching About Anxiety and Mindfulness and Teaching About Student Wellness. Explore our specially curated collections on

Read more

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Middle School titles AANHPI Creators – High School titles .

Read more