Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints

By Lee Epstein, Thomas G. Walker, Lee J. Epstein

Book Overview

Political factors influence judicial decisions. Arguments and input from lawyers and interest groups, the ebb and flow of public opinion, and especially the ideological and behavioral inclinations of the justices all combine to shape the development of constitutional doctrine. Drawing on political science as much as from legal studies, Constitutional Law for a Changing Americahelps students realize that Supreme Court cases are more than just legal names and citations. As always, Epstein and Walker account for new scholarship as well as reconsider all excerpted cases for both additions and cuts. With meticulous updating throughout, the authors feature reworked and revised discussion on: the methods of constitutional interpretation, jurisdiction stripping and standing, the appointments clause and theories of presidential power, theories of the separation-of-powers system, all cases related to the war on terrorism, theories of federalism and the current state of the federalism/commerce doctri≠ in particular, linkages between chapters 6 and 7 have been made more explicit. Two important improvements in the book's design lead to more focused and effective reading: a revamped interior layout clearly delineates between author commentary and opinion excerpts, a new "Arguments" section in the case commentary details the attorneys' arguments for each side.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1604265167
• ISBN13: 9781604265163
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: CQ Press
• Length: 776 Pages
• Weight: 3.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.8" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Made me Like Constitutional Law!

Constitutional Law for a Changing America is the perfect textbook for Con. Law courses because on one hand it's basic enough that people like myself who do not have a deep rooted background in law can understand it, but not so basic that it bores people who have lengthy backgrounds and intrests in law to tears. The case excerpts are brief as not to tie students down in wordy verbage, but are excerpted in such a way that one gets the most important points of the cases. With the right professor, who can explain to students that a case like Korematsu v. United States for example, is not about the plight of one man during WW2, but rather concearns what governmental and military leaders can do during conditions of war, which effects our daily lives...Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraintsis a must have book.

needed for school

I received this book in excellent condition. I needed it for an online course I'm taking. The delivery was timely and again the book was in excellent condition.

great book

The text covers const. law powers extensively, featuring integral cases relevant to topics being discussed - fantastic!

A great overview of the most important cases in Constitutional law

I had a Constitutional Law class while an undergraduate which relied very heavily on this book, and I could not be more satisfied. While I was a chemistry major, I really enjoyed this book because it had the actual written opinions (or significant excerpts thereof) of the most important and precedent-making cases in a variety of topics of Constitutional Law. Having those opinions ready available was great, and the analysis that followed was also quite helpful to get at some of the cases with denser reasoning. Anyway, whether for class or pleasure, a great read and highly recommended.

Great Experience

The book was in great shape and I received it without any delays or problems. A+++++++