Rating: 
Summary: O.K. but on the wrong side of history
Review: The authors understanding of the Second Amendment is not sincere to historical fact. The national gaurd was not formed until well over a century after the bill of rights was ratified. A government force. The "militia" as clearly stated within the amendment is "the people". The entire premise of the bill of rights was to protect civilian authority from government tyranny. That is its clear intention. By what logic does this author gain the view of a government force (national gaurd) needing a "right" to bear arms?This overall is a good work but flawed, like many, that seek to read the second amendment out of existence. Something that the enemies of the first amendment might apply one day.
I would suggest reading "The Bill of Rights" by Akhil Reed Amar" for an accurate understanding of this "doomsday provision". "The framers recognized that self-government required bullets as well as ballots"- A.R. Amar
Rating: 
Summary: Good book--covers meaning & different sides of issues
Review: This is a great book, especially for introducing advanced junior high and senior high kids to the US Constitution and the issues involved, or for adults who want a good overview of the Constitution, its meaning, and the sides of each issue.
It contains quotes from founding fathers and from famous and ordinary citizens from revolutionary period to the present.
The author does a good job of impartially presenting different sides of the issues.
I wish the author had included the large numbers of violations of 4th Amendment (search and seizure) that have occurred to families who have chosen to educate their children at home, even when parents have indicated at the door the need for social workers and school personnel to have a valid search warrant. Such information can be found a www.hslda.org , particularly at http://www.hslda.org/search.asp . This is a very real and current battle being waged for the rights of citizens that is guaranteed by the 4th amendment.
If rights are denied to the few, the rights of all are in danger.
Anyway, this is an interesting book, and does a good job of explaining the meaning of the constitution step-by-step, and of including controversies surrounding each issue.
Rating:
Summary: Perfectly suited as an informed and informative reference
Review: To put it simply but emphatically, The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide To The Constitution by Linda R. Monk should be in every school and community library collection in America. Divided into two major sections (Part I: The Constitution Of The United States; Part II: Amendments To The Constitution Of The United States), the highly readable, easy to assimilate text is enhanced with occasion b/w photography. From high-school students fulfilling school assignments about the Constitution, to adults wanting to refresh themselves with respect to national issues of controversy with reference to Constitutional rights and responsibilities (especially with issues arising from the current "War on Terrorism" and "The Patriot Act"), The Words We Live By is perfectly suited as an informed and informative reference.
Rating:
Summary: Now I love history
Review: Today I'm making up for years of avoiding history because the the classes I took in school demanded memorization of facts and dates, based on history-in-a-box principles. I've come to realize that history represents the same kind of confusing mixture of pro and con, give and take, good and evil that today's social, political and economic issues do. That fascinates me, and now I can't get enough of history -- yesterday's and today's. That's the reason I find "The Words We Live By" both a great text and a great read. Linda Monk uses people's quotes and stories that bring the Constitution alive as a document that affects our lives in ways we seldom recognize. The quotes from Ben Franklin, from a black soldier from Louisiana fighting for his rights in the Civil War, from Norma McCorvey, the real Jane Roe in the Roe v. Wade -- and dozens more -- help me understand the real people who have created the essence and strength of America's government. If this book had been available to me in my high school's American History class, I would have loved history from the beginning. I think it should be in every American History classroom in the U.S.
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