Our Bill of Rights

"The Second Amendment states, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. With those words, the Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for a political and social touchstone that is still controversial after more than 200 years. Today, arguments over the true meaning and intention of the Second Amendment play out across our nation. With this book, readers go beyond the sensational headlines to explore the origins of the Second Amendment, both in a historical and contemporary context"--Provided by publisher.

"The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a very significant part of the Bill of Rights and the American justice system. In criminal cases, the Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to a grand jury, forbids double jeopardy, necessitates due process of law, and protects against self-incrimination. The Fifth Amendment ensures that Americans benefit from a balanced and accountable justice system. Through this book, readers learn the essential reasons for the creation of the Fifth Amendment and explore the provisions of the amendment through historical examples"--Provided by publisher.

"Readers will discover how the Third and Fourth Amendments earned inclusion in the Bill of Rights. Complicated political language is simplified, helping readers recognize the amendments at work in modern life. Both amendments reflect the fundamental American values of privacy and personal property. They protect homes, belongings, and even phone conversations. Primary sources, . . . images, and sidebars explore the evolving interpretation of the Third and Fourth Amendments"--Provided by publisher.

"Not only is the right to trial by jury outlined in the Constitution, it's also the focus of the Sixth and Seventh Amendments. Why was trial by jury so important to America's founders? How have juries changed since the 18th century? Why are jury trials becoming rarer? This book provides the answers with evidence from historic documents and events. . . Main text and sidebars interpret the amendments, dissect relevant Supreme Court decisions, and follow the history of American juries"--Provided by publisher.

"Readers will explore the history, significance, and controversy surrounding the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel or unusual punishment. Primary sources, sidebars, and compelling stories, demonstrate how the amendment protects, and potentially harms, criminals. Historic and present-day examples of long-standing debates about the amendment's controversial cruel and unusual clause further illustrate the amendment's importance"--Provided by publisher.

"The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution may be one of the most well-known and oft-quoted, and readers will learn why in this . . . book. Through an in-depth yet age-appropriate examination of the First Amendment, readers will understand why the legal protection of such freedoms as religious expression, speech, and peaceful assembly is so important. Through a close look at the language of the amendment, readers will walk away with an understanding of the law's historical significance and how it affects our lives today"--Provided by publisher.

"The Ninth Amendment guarantees the protection of rights not enumerated in the Bill of Rights. It would be difficult to write a document that protected every single American right, so this amendment protects all those rights left unsaid. The Tenth Amendment defines the relationship between the federal and state government, a concept known as federalism. This amendment aims to solve the issues of federal powers and regulations. In this book, concrete examples and primary sources reveal the importance of these two amendments"--Provided by publisher.