ePub American Constitutional History: A Brief Introduction by Jack Fruchtman in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A very good start in understanding the US ConstitutionBy Walter W. Olson; Ph.D; P.E.This a very good book for gaining an introduction into what the US Constitution means. The author has provided a very balanced look at how the document has been interpreted and changed since its inception.If I was to draw any conclusions; it is this: the United States Constitution is not the same document drafted by its founders during the Summer of 1787. But rather it is the document and its implied interpretations by the all of the United States Supreme Court Justices that served the United States.Thus; to say that the original document must be interpreted according to the words written either by the sense of the original authors; if that can be determined; or by the current meanings is inherently a false proposition: the Supreme Court Justices have not; despite their best efforts; done this. Even the late Justice Scalia; who is held as a model Originalist; said; in 2014 in Utility Regulatory Group v. The Environmental Protection Agency; "we “must do our best; bearing in mind the fundamental canon of statutory construction that the words of a statute must be read in their context and with a view to their place in the overall statutory scheme.” [quoted from page 254; American Constitutional History: a Brief Introduction by James Fruchtman.]Thus no simple reading and understanding of the words of the United States Constitution as amended will provide its meaning and validity.The US Constitution has been violated in almost every way from the original document by the President; the Congress and the States with many of those violations continue to this day. The violations exist and will continue to exist into the future because they are unchallenged by people with standing in the appropriate courts.Mr. Fruchtman provides a concise and understandable history for a casual reader interested the the fundamental governing document of the United States.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. but with enough depth and detail that even those with a good understanding of the Constitution will find it interestingBy R. TaylorConcise and written for the lay person; but with enough depth and detail that even those with a good understanding of the Constitution will find it interesting. It provides a lot of context not just regarding the text of the Constitution itself; but the Supreme Court's history of interpreting and re-interpreting the Constitution in ways which were not always consistent with one another.