The People's Guide to the United States Constitution

Read the United States Constitution for yourself—and understand what its words actually mean.

You don't need a law degree to understand the Constitution. But its centuries-old language, unfamiliar words, and legal terminology can make it difficult to read.

The People's Guide to the United States Constitution makes that process easier.

Instead of constantly stopping to look up unfamiliar words, you'll find plain-English definitions and explanations right where those words appear in the constitutional text.

The Constitution's wording is presented in bold type, with explanations in regular type and square brackets. You can follow the text while understanding difficult words and phrases as you encounter them.

The book also draws on historical definitions, including Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary, to help explain the language used closer to the time of America's founding.

What You'll Find Inside The Declaration of Independence — its original text, historical background, and importance to America's founding. The United States Constitution — explained article by article, with unfamiliar words and phrases defined as you read. The Bill of Rights and Amendments 11–27 — explained in understandable language. Historical background and real-life examples — context that makes difficult concepts easier to follow. An easy-to-use glossary — a convenient reference for important words and concepts. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution without inserted explanations — included in the appendix so you can read the documents on their own. Why I Wrote This Book

During the 1992 presidential campaign, I heard conflicting claims about the Constitution. Despite my background as Legal Director for a U.S.-based international software company, I realized I couldn't confidently determine which claims were correct.

I began researching the Constitution for myself and discovered how much work it took to understand its historical language.

I wrote this book to make that process easier for others.

Who Is This Book For?

Everyday Americans, voters, students, homeschool families, educators, and anyone who wants to understand the Constitution without needing a legal background.

Whether you're reading it for the first time or returning to it after many years, this guide helps you examine the original documents and develop your own understanding.

Don't let anyone tell you what the Constitution says—including me. Read it. Understand it. Decide for yourself.