Books on the Constitution

The Constitution Made Easy, by Michael Holler

The United States Constitution compared side by side with the United States Constitution in modern English.

Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville

“Written 50 years after the French Revolution, de Tocqueville’s work is important to understand how a visitor saw the United States as the most advanced country in creating political and social equality in its citizenry. Though he was very impressed with much of what he saw in American life, he also did not ignore the obvious dichotomy between politics and cultural freedom and the institution of slavery.”

The Federalist Papers, by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay

There are a number of good versions of the Federalist Papers in book form.  Some also include the Anti-Federalist papers.  These papers are critical to understand the thinking behind the proposed national constitution.

The Heritage Guide to the Constitution: Fully Revised Second Edition, edited by David Forte and Matthew Spaulding

“A landmark work of more than one hundred scholars, The Heritage Guide to the Constitution is a unique line-by-line analysis explaining every clause of America’s founding charter and its contemporary meaning.”

The Road to Americanism, The Constitutional History of the United States, by Dennis Haugh, USAFA ‘73

Tells the story of how we became “Americans,” and explains how this new culture led the charge to abolish slavery. Showcases in detail the history, philosophy, brilliance and vision behind our founding documents. Demonstrates how re-engaging with our founding principles can help us achieve Aristotle’s “best” form of government by promoting justice and protecting liberty.

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine

This excellent volume contains four of Thomas Paine’s most important works, Common Sense, The American Crisis, Rights of Man and The Age of Reason.