The Annotated U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence

This probing commentary on America's founding documents by constitutional historian Rakove (winner of a Pulitzer for Original Meanings ) begins with a long essay on their historical and political background, stressing their ideological innovations. His detailed exegeses unavoidably lose some thematic coherence while elucidating the Declaration as a work of propaganda (considerably overstating George III's despotism, notes Rakove) and the Constitution's murky political compromises. Rakove is a constitutionalist—but he's palpably dissatisfied with the Constitution we've got. Among other complaints, he says amending the Constitution is so difficult, we passively interpret it instead of remaking it to suit our evolving purposes. Rakove's is a lucid, thought-provoking guide to the contents—and discontents—of our national charters. 34 b&w illus. (Nov.)