Read about the Constitution in Plain English.
The Constitution Annotated provides a comprehensive overview of how the Constitution has been interpreted over time and is now available on this new site with upgraded search capabilities. The online Constitution Annotated includes discussions of the Supreme Court's latest opinions. Additional changes to further modernize the Constitution Annotated are coming in future updates.

by Allan Ides, Christopher N. May, and Simona Grossi
9th ed. (2022)
Examples & explanations series
Contents: Introduction to individual rights -- Substantive due process -- The takings clause -- The contracts clause -- Procedural due process and irrebuttable presumptions -- Equal protection : ordinary, "suspect," and "quasi-suspect" classifications -- Equal protection : fundamental rights -- The First amendment : freedom of speech and of the press -- The First amendment : freedom of religion -- The right to keep and bear arms.

by Christopher N. May, Allan Ides, and Simona Grossi
9th ed. (2022)
Examples & explanations series
Contents: Judicial review -- Congressional power to limit the jurisdiction of the supreme court and inferior federal courts -- Justiciability -- Special limitations on judicial review of state laws -- The powers of the national government -- The supremacy clause -- The separation of powers -- The dormant commerce clause -- The privileges and immunities clause of Article IV.

by Laura E. Little
Examples & explanations series
Contents: Introduction -- The distinction between content-based and content-neutral restrictions -- Over breadth and vagueness -- Political speech -- Prior restraints -- Compelled speech -- Incitement of illegal activity -- Dangerous and offensive speech : fighting words, hate and disparaging speech, and true threats -- Sexually oriented speech : obscenity, indecency, and profanity -- Commercial speech -- Defamation and related torts -- False speech -- Government property and speech : public forums and other types of forums -- Speech in government controlled contexts : the military, prisons, schools, and government employees -- Conduct that communicates -- Issues related to the media -- Freedom of association -- The multiple strands of speech doctrine -- Introduction to the religion clauses : understanding the tension between the two clauses and defining religion -- The establishment clause -- The free exercise clause -- Communication, association, and religion intersect.

by Jerome A. Barron and C. Thomas Dienes
11th ed. (2024)
Contents: Judicial review and its limits -- National legislative powers -- State power in American federalism -- Congress and the executive power -- Due process of law -- Equal protection -- Freedom of expression -- Freedom of religion -- State action -- Congressional legislation in aid of civil rights and liberties.

by Thomas E. Baker
3rd ed. (2019)
Contents: American constitutionalism -- Judicial review -- Constitutional analysis -- Constitutional liberty -- Government powers -- Structure of the Constitution -- Constitutional theory -- Appendix A. Leading case outline of constitutional liberty -- Appendix B. Constitution of the United States of America.

by Russell L. Weaver and Steven I. Friedland
2nd ed. (2022)
Contents: Judicial review -- National legislative power -- Federal executive powers -- State power to regulate commerce -- Intergovernmental immunities -- Procedural due process -- Substantive protection of economic rights -- Substantive due process : modern fundamental rights -- Equal protection -- Freedom of expression -- The establishment clause -- The free exercise clause -- State action.

by Ronald D. Rotunda and John E. Nowak
5th ed. (2016)
Rotunda and Nowak are recognized authorities on the subject for over a quarter of a century.
Their hornbook is designed for law students. The text offers a concise overview of the fundamental principles of constitutional law.
Topics covered include judicial review, federal jurisdiction, commerce clause, due process, equal protection, and freedom of speech and religion.