These are fairly brief documents -- the Declaration of Independence (in 1776), the Constitution (in 1787), 27 Constitutional Amendments (the Bill of Rights in 1791) and the other 17 from 1795 to 1992). Although it isn't included in the book's title, it also includes the original Articles of Confederation (1778). Although brief, they are vital to our country, to our freedom, to our culture. I feel every American family should have a copy, and should actually read them, discuss them, internalize them. These are truly essential reading for all of us.



It takes a lot more time (and a lot of hard work) to make your way through The Federalist Papers (and the Anti-Federalist Papers as well), but I believe that these too should be studied by Americans, to truly understand the thoughts of the framers of the Constitution, as defined by some of the greatest minds of the 1780's,



The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is that, for a simple printout of these documents that includes only about 70 pages of print, I think the price is a bit high.