Active Liberty
Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution
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Active Liberty
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Narrated by:
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Stephen Breyer
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By:
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Stephen Breyer
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Originally published anonymously, The Federalist Papers first appeared in 1787 as a series of letters to New York newspapers exhorting voters to ratify the proposed Constitution of the United States. Still hotly debated and open to often controversial interpretations, the arguments first presented here by three of America's greatest patriots and political theorists were created during a critical moment in our nation's history.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Changes key words and concepts from the original
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Pedagogy of the Oppressed: 50th Anniversary Edition
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First published in Portuguese in 1968, Pedagogy of the Oppressed was translated and published in English in 1970. Paulo Freire's work has helped to empower countless people throughout the world and has taken on special urgency in the United States and Western Europe, where the creation of a permanent underclass among the underprivileged and minorities in cities and urban centers is ongoing. This 50th anniversary edition includes an updated introduction by Donaldo Macedo, a new afterword by Ira Shor, and many inspirational interviews.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Not easy listening
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Twilight of Democracy
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From the United States and Britain to continental Europe and beyond, liberal democracy is under siege, while authoritarianism is on the rise. In Twilight of Democracy, Anne Applebaum, an award-winning historian of Soviet atrocities who was one of the first American journalists to raise an alarm about antidemocratic trends in the West, explains the lure of nationalism and autocracy. In this captivating essay, she contends that political systems with radically simple beliefs are inherently appealing, especially when they benefit the loyal to the exclusion of everyone else.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Modern Dictators & President who wants to be them
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The Words That Made Us
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 85
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 76
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 76
In The Words That Made Us, Akhil Reed Amar unites history and law in a vivid narrative of the biggest constitutional questions early Americans confronted, and he expertly assesses the answers they offered. His account of the document's origins and consolidation is a guide for anyone seeking to properly understand America's Constitution today.
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5 out of 5 stars
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And the words that made Us
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By: Akhil Reed Amar
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Presumed Guilty
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 33
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
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Presumed Guilty reveals how the Supreme Court allows the perpetuation of racist policing by presuming that suspects, especially people of color, are guilty.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Required Reading
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Critic reviews
"Breyer's prose is admirably simple and clear, and his discussion shows a keen legal intellect that espouses broad values rather than narrow theories, and a deep, humane concern with fostering democracy and the well-being of the citizenry. This will be essential reading at a possibly watershed moment for the Supreme Court." (Publishers Weekly)
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The Constitution of the United States begins with the words "we the people". But from the earliest days of the American republic, there have been two competing notions of "the people", which led to two very different visions of the Constitution. Those who view "we the people" collectively think popular sovereignty resides in the people as a group, which leads them to favor a democratic constitution that allows the will of the people to be expressed by majority rule
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1 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars
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For two centuries, the Framers' ideas about political corruption flourished in the courts, even in the absence of clear rules governing voters, civil officers, and elected officials. In the 1970s, the U.S. Supreme Court began to narrow the definition of corruption, and the meaning has since changed dramatically. No case makes that clearer than Citizens United.
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The Constitution of the United States begins with the words "we the people". But from the earliest days of the American republic, there have been two competing notions of "the people", which led to two very different visions of the Constitution. Those who view "we the people" collectively think popular sovereignty resides in the people as a group, which leads them to favor a democratic constitution that allows the will of the people to be expressed by majority rule
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We the People
- A Progressive Reading of the Constitution for the Twenty-First Century
- By: Erwin Chemerinsky
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 47
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 39
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 39
From gun control to reproductive health, a conservative Supreme Court will reshape the lives of all Americans for decades to come. The time to develop and defend a progressive vision of the US Constitution that protects the rights of all people is now.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Hypocritical evaluation of the constitution
- By surya on 03-23-19
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The Majesty of the Law
- Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice
- By: Sandra Day O'Connor
- Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 87
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 44
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Story4 out of 5 stars 45
In this remarkable book, Sandra Day O’Connor explores the law, her life as a Supreme Court Justice, and how the Court has evolved and continues to function, grow, and change as an American institution. Tracing some of the origins of American law through history, people, ideas, and landmark cases, O’Connor sheds new light on the basics, exploring through personal observation the evolution of the Court and American democratic traditions.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Informative and well-written
- By James on 07-11-05
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Supreme Power
- 7 Pivotal Supreme Court Decisions That Had a Major Impact on America
- By: Ted Stewart
- Narrated by: Art Allen
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 30
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 28
Best-selling author Ted Stewart explains how the Supreme Court and its nine appointed members now stand at a crucial point in their power to hand down momentous and far-ranging decisions. Today's Court affects every major area of American life, from health care to civil rights, from abortion to marriage. This fascinating book reveals the complex history of the Court as told through seven pivotal decisions.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Polemical, downright ridiculous at times
- By Joe Igla on 11-04-17
By: Ted Stewart
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The Original Argument
- The Federalists' Case for the Constitution, Adapted for the 21st Century
- By: Glenn Beck, Pat Gray
- Narrated by: Adam Grupper
- Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 371
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 282
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 278
Glenn Beck revisited Thomas Paine’s famous pre-Revolutionary War call to action in his #1 New York Times bestseller Glenn Beck’s Common Sense. Now he brings his historical acumen and political savvy to this fresh, new interpretation of The Federalist Papers.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A must for Freedom lovers
- By Danny on 06-16-11
By: Glenn Beck, and others
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The Constitution
- An Introduction
- By: Michael Stokes Paulsen, Luke Paulsen
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 115
From war powers to health care, freedom of speech to gun ownership, religious liberty to abortion, practically every aspect of American life is shaped by the Constitution. This vital document, along with its history of political and judicial interpretation, governs our individual lives and the life of our nation. Yet most of us know surprisingly little about the Constitution itself, and are woefully unprepared to think for ourselves about recent developments in its long and storied history.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The Constitution-A must reading for All Americans
- By Robert on 06-12-15
By: Michael Stokes Paulsen, and others
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Free Speech on Campus
- By: Erwin Chemerinsky, Howard Gillman
- Narrated by: James Edward Thomas
- Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 36
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 32
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 32
Can free speech coexist with an inclusive campus environment? Hardly a week goes by without another controversy over free speech on college campuses. On one side, there are increased demands to censor hateful, disrespectful, and bullying expression and to ensure an inclusive and nondiscriminatory learning environment. On the other side are traditional free speech advocates who charge that recent demands for censorship coddle students and threaten free inquiry.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A must read for understanding the 1st Amendment!
- By Kimberly Finnegan on 12-27-18
By: Erwin Chemerinsky, and others
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The Bill of Rights Primer
- A Citizen's Guidebook to the American Bill of Rights
- By: Akhil Reed Amar, Les Adams
- Narrated by: Tim Lundeen
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 70
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 61
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 61
Many Americans reference the Bill of Rights, a document that represents many of the freedoms that define the United States. Who doesn’t know about the First Amendment’s freedom of religion or Second Amendment’s right to bear arms? In this succinct volume, Akhil Reed Amar and Les Adams offer a wealth of knowledge about the Bill of Rights that goes beyond a basic understanding.The Bill of Rights Primer is an authoritative guide to all American freedoms. Uncluttered and well-organized, this audiobook is perfect for those who want to study up on the Bill of Rights without needing a law degree to do so.
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5 out of 5 stars
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At this length, basic; but at that, great
- By Philo on 06-10-15
By: Akhil Reed Amar, and others
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HATE
- Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship
- By: Nadine Strossen
- Narrated by: Nadine Strossen, Angelo Di Loreto
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 48
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 47
HATE dispels misunderstandings plaguing our perennial debates about "hate speech vs. free speech", showing that the First Amendment approach promotes free speech and democracy, equality, and societal harmony. We hear too many incorrect assertions that "hate speech" - which has no generally accepted definition - is either absolutely unprotected or absolutely protected from censorship. Rather, US law allows government to punish hateful or discriminatory speech in specific contexts when it directly causes imminent serious harm.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Important Message But Repetitive Execution
- By ReaderTeacher on 08-19-18
By: Nadine Strossen
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How Alexander Hamilton Screwed Up America
- By: Brion McClanahan
- Narrated by: Thomas Rosenfeld
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 58
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 56
He is the star of a hit Broadway musical, the face on the 10-dollar bill, and a central figure among the founding fathers. But do you really know Alexander Hamilton? Rather than lionize Hamilton, Americans should carefully consider his most significant and ultimately detrimental contribution to modern society: the shredding of the United States Constitution. Connecting the dots between Hamilton's invention of implied powers in 1791 to transgender bathrooms and same-sex marriage today, Brion McClanahan shows the origins of our modern federal leviathan.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Thank You Audible
- By No to Statism on 10-03-18
By: Brion McClanahan
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How Rights Went Wrong
- Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart
- By: Jamal Greene
- Narrated by: Ryan Vincent Anderson
- Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 80
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 72
Rights are a sacred part of American identity. Yet they were an afterthought for the Framers. Only as a result of the racial strife that exploded during the Civil War—and a series of resulting missteps by the Supreme Court—did rights gain such outsized power. Over and again, courts have treated rights conflicts as zero-sum games in which awarding rights to one side means denying rights to others. As eminent legal scholar Jamal Greene shows in How Rights Went Wrong, we need to recouple rights with justice—before they tear society apart.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A different way to look at rights.
- By Nicolas Pabon on 07-11-23
By: Jamal Greene
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To End a Presidency
- By: Laurence Tribe, Joshua Matz
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser, Laurence Tribe - preface
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 173
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 154
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 152
The history and future of our democracy's ultimate sanction, presidential impeachment, and a guide to how it should be used now. To End a Presidency addresses one of today's most urgent questions: when and whether to impeach a president. Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz provide an authoritative guide to impeachment's past and a bold argument about its proper role today. In an era of expansive presidential power and intense partisanship, we must rethink impeachment for the 21st century.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Primer on Impeachment and our Present Dilemma
- By J.B. on 05-20-18
By: Laurence Tribe, and others
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The Rule of Nobody
- Saving America from Dead Laws and Senseless Bureaucracy
- By: Philip K. Howard
- Narrated by: Allen O'Reilly
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 67
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 53
The secret to good government is a question no one in Washington is asking: “What’s the right thing to do?” What’s wrong in Washington is deeper than you think. Sure, there’s gridlock, polarization, and self-dealing. But hidden underneath is something bigger and more destructive. It’s a broken governing system. From that comes wasteful government, rising debt, failing schools, expensive health care, and economic hardship.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Preachy, redundant, and unpersuasive
- By Jake on 02-05-15
By: Philip K. Howard
-
Enlightened Democracy
- The Case for the Electoral College, 2nd Edition
- By: Tara Ross
- Narrated by: Tara Ross
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 42
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 39
Enlightened Democracy traces the history of the Electoral College from the Constitutional Convention to the present. The Electoral College protects our republic and promotes our liberty. Americans should defend their unique presidential election system at all costs.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Hold your breath
- By Ein on 03-13-20
By: Tara Ross
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Reading the Constitution
- Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism
- By: Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Stephen Breyer
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 84
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 76
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 76
The relatively new judicial philosophy of textualism dominates the Supreme Court. Textualists claim that the right way to interpret the Constitution and statutes is to read the text carefully and examine the language as it was understood at the time the documents were written. This, however, is not Justice Breyer’s philosophy nor has it been the traditional way to interpret the Constitution since the time of Chief Justice John Marshall. Justice Breyer recalls Marshall’s exhortation that the Constitution must be a workable set of principles to be interpreted by subsequent generations.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Very Annoying Narration
- By Minnie I. on 04-21-24
By: Stephen Breyer
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Making Our Democracy Work
- A Judge’s View
- By: Justice Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Luis Moreno
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 64
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 45
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 44
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer delivers an impassioned argument for the proper role of America’s highest judicial body. Examining historic and contemporary decisions by the Court, Breyer highlights the rulings that have bolstered public confidence as well as the missteps that have triggered distrust. What emerges is a unique approach - certain to be admired for years to come - to interpreting the Constitution.
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5 out of 5 stars
-
Timely
- By Don on 05-17-17
-
A Matter of Interpretation
- Federal Courts and the Law
- By: Antonin Scalia, Amy Gutmann - editor foreword
- Narrated by: Christopher Grove
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 36
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 35
We are all familiar with the image of the immensely clever judge who discerns the best rule of common law for the case at hand. But is this common-law mindset, which is appropriate in its place, suitable also in statutory and constitutional interpretation? In a witty and trenchant essay, Justice Scalia answers this question with a resounding negative.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Deeper and denser but understandable
- By Danilo Josue Cardona on 07-13-24
By: Antonin Scalia, and others
-
The Constitution
- An Introduction
- By: Michael Stokes Paulsen, Luke Paulsen
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 115
From war powers to health care, freedom of speech to gun ownership, religious liberty to abortion, practically every aspect of American life is shaped by the Constitution. This vital document, along with its history of political and judicial interpretation, governs our individual lives and the life of our nation. Yet most of us know surprisingly little about the Constitution itself, and are woefully unprepared to think for ourselves about recent developments in its long and storied history.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Constitution-A must reading for All Americans
- By Robert on 06-12-15
By: Michael Stokes Paulsen, and others
-
Our Republican Constitution
- Securing the Liberty and Sovereignty of We the People
- By: Randy E. Barnett
- Narrated by: Barry Abrams
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 147
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 124
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 122
The Constitution of the United States begins with the words "we the people". But from the earliest days of the American republic, there have been two competing notions of "the people", which led to two very different visions of the Constitution. Those who view "we the people" collectively think popular sovereignty resides in the people as a group, which leads them to favor a democratic constitution that allows the will of the people to be expressed by majority rule
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Read the book, don't listen
- By I Keep AMZN in Business on 06-23-16
By: Randy E. Barnett
-
The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics
- By: Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Jim Seybert
- Length: 1 hr and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 87
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 74
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 72
A growing chorus of officials and commentators argues that the Supreme Court has become too political. On this view, the confirmation process is just an exercise in partisan agenda-setting, and the jurists are no more than “politicians in robes” - their ostensibly neutral judicial philosophies mere camouflage for conservative or liberal convictions.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent overview of Suo. Ct. Purpose, position and how it actually works
- By Georgia on 09-19-21
By: Stephen Breyer
-
Reading the Constitution
- Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism
- By: Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Stephen Breyer
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 84
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 76
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 76
The relatively new judicial philosophy of textualism dominates the Supreme Court. Textualists claim that the right way to interpret the Constitution and statutes is to read the text carefully and examine the language as it was understood at the time the documents were written. This, however, is not Justice Breyer’s philosophy nor has it been the traditional way to interpret the Constitution since the time of Chief Justice John Marshall. Justice Breyer recalls Marshall’s exhortation that the Constitution must be a workable set of principles to be interpreted by subsequent generations.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Very Annoying Narration
- By Minnie I. on 04-21-24
By: Stephen Breyer
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Making Our Democracy Work
- A Judge’s View
- By: Justice Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Luis Moreno
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 64
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 45
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 44
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer delivers an impassioned argument for the proper role of America’s highest judicial body. Examining historic and contemporary decisions by the Court, Breyer highlights the rulings that have bolstered public confidence as well as the missteps that have triggered distrust. What emerges is a unique approach - certain to be admired for years to come - to interpreting the Constitution.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Timely
- By Don on 05-17-17
-
A Matter of Interpretation
- Federal Courts and the Law
- By: Antonin Scalia, Amy Gutmann - editor foreword
- Narrated by: Christopher Grove
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 36
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 35
We are all familiar with the image of the immensely clever judge who discerns the best rule of common law for the case at hand. But is this common-law mindset, which is appropriate in its place, suitable also in statutory and constitutional interpretation? In a witty and trenchant essay, Justice Scalia answers this question with a resounding negative.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Deeper and denser but understandable
- By Danilo Josue Cardona on 07-13-24
By: Antonin Scalia, and others
-
The Constitution
- An Introduction
- By: Michael Stokes Paulsen, Luke Paulsen
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 115
From war powers to health care, freedom of speech to gun ownership, religious liberty to abortion, practically every aspect of American life is shaped by the Constitution. This vital document, along with its history of political and judicial interpretation, governs our individual lives and the life of our nation. Yet most of us know surprisingly little about the Constitution itself, and are woefully unprepared to think for ourselves about recent developments in its long and storied history.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Constitution-A must reading for All Americans
- By Robert on 06-12-15
By: Michael Stokes Paulsen, and others
-
Our Republican Constitution
- Securing the Liberty and Sovereignty of We the People
- By: Randy E. Barnett
- Narrated by: Barry Abrams
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 147
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 124
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 122
The Constitution of the United States begins with the words "we the people". But from the earliest days of the American republic, there have been two competing notions of "the people", which led to two very different visions of the Constitution. Those who view "we the people" collectively think popular sovereignty resides in the people as a group, which leads them to favor a democratic constitution that allows the will of the people to be expressed by majority rule
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Read the book, don't listen
- By I Keep AMZN in Business on 06-23-16
By: Randy E. Barnett
-
The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics
- By: Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Jim Seybert
- Length: 1 hr and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 87
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 74
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 72
A growing chorus of officials and commentators argues that the Supreme Court has become too political. On this view, the confirmation process is just an exercise in partisan agenda-setting, and the jurists are no more than “politicians in robes” - their ostensibly neutral judicial philosophies mere camouflage for conservative or liberal convictions.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent overview of Suo. Ct. Purpose, position and how it actually works
- By Georgia on 09-19-21
By: Stephen Breyer
-
The Supremes' Greatest Hits, 2nd Revised & Updated Edition
- The 44 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life
- By: Michael G. Trachtman
- Narrated by: Jonathan Yen
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 67
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 54
The Supreme Court's rulings have shaped American life and justice and allowed Americans to retain basic freedoms such as privacy, free speech, and the right to a fair trial. This revised and updated edition of Michael G. Trachtman's riveting work includes 10 important cases from 2010 to 2015.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Nice review overall.
- By "freeindeed4ever" on 02-10-20
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U.S. Constitution for Dummies
- 2nd Edition
- By: Dr. Michael Arnheim
- Narrated by: Dr. Michael Arnheim
- Length: 18 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 133
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 123
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 120
Want to make sense of the US Constitution? This new edition walks you through this revered document, explaining how the articles and amendments came to be and how they have guided legislators, judges, and presidents - and sparked ongoing debates along the way. You'll get the lowdown on all the big issues - from separation of church and state to impeachment to civil rights - that continue to affect Americans' daily lives. Plus, you'll find out about the different approaches to interpretation and how the document has changed over the past 200+ years.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Much better than I anticipated.
- By JoEllen LeVitre on 08-30-20
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The Original Meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment
- Its Letter & Spirit
- By: Randy E. Barnett, Evan D. Bernick, James Oakes - foreword
- Narrated by: David de Vries
- Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4
Adopted in 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment profoundly changed the Constitution, giving the federal judiciary and Congress new powers to protect the fundamental rights of individuals from being violated by the states. Yet, according to Randy Barnett and Evan Bernick, the Supreme Court has long misunderstood or ignored the original meaning of the amendment's key clauses, covering the privileges and immunities of citizenship, due process of law, and the equal protection of the laws.
By: Randy E. Barnett, and others
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The Supreme Court
- The Personalities and Rivalries That Defined America
- By: Jeffrey Rosen
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 190
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 93
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 94
A leading Supreme Court expert recounts the personal and philosophical rivalries that forged our nation's highest court and continue to shape our daily lives. The Supreme Court is the most mysterious branch of government, and yet the Court is at root a human institution, made up of very bright people with very strong egos, for whom political and judicial conflicts often become personal.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Overruled!
- By Stephen McLeod on 08-23-08
By: Jeffrey Rosen
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A People's History of the Supreme Court
- The Men and Women Whose Cases and Decisions Have Shaped Our Constitution
- By: Peter Irons, Howard Zinn - foreword
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 28 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 111
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 102
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 101
A comprehensive history of the people and cases that have changed history, this is the definitive account of the nation's highest court.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Really enjoyed this book
- By Paul on 02-19-20
By: Peter Irons, and others
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The Radicalism of the American Revolution
- By: Gordon S. Wood
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 19 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 319
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 256
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 256
Grand in scope, rigorous in its arguments, and elegantly synthesizing 30 years of scholarship, Gordon S. Wood's Pulitzer Prize–winning book analyzes the social, political, and economic consequences of 1776. In The Radicalism of the American Revolution, Wood depicts not just a break with England, but the rejection of an entire way of life: of a society with feudal dependencies, a politics of patronage, and a world view in which people were divided between the nobility and "the Herd."
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4 out of 5 stars
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Changed the Way I Think
- By Cynthia on 01-04-14
By: Gordon S. Wood
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The Court and the World
- American Law and the New Global Realities
- By: Stephen Breyer
- Narrated by: Stephen Breyer
- Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 66
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 57
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 57
In this original, far-reaching, and timely book, Justice Stephen Breyer examines the work of SCOTUS in an increasingly interconnected world, a world in which all sorts of public and private activity - from the conduct of national security policy to the conduct of international trade - obliges the Court to consider and understand circumstances beyond America's borders. At a time when ordinary citizens may book international lodging directly through online sites, it has become clear that judicial awareness can no longer stop at the water's edge.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Thought-provoking
- By Jean on 09-24-15
By: Stephen Breyer
-
The Supreme Court
- By: William H. Rehnquist
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 79
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 71
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 69
Chief Justice Rehnquist's engaging writing illuminates both the high and low points in the Court's history, from Chief Justice Marshall's dominance of the Court during the early 19th century through the landmark decisions of the Warren Court. Citing cases such as the Dred Scott decision and Roosevelt's Court-packing plan, Rehnquist makes clear that the Court does not operate in a vacuum, that the justices are unavoidably influenced by their surroundings, and that their decisions have real and lasting impacts on our society.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Absorbing
- By Jean on 01-28-18
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Power and Liberty
- Constitutionalism in the American Revolution
- By: Gordon S. Wood
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 29
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 29
The half century extending from the imperial crisis between Britain and its colonies in the 1760s to the early decades of the new republic of the United States was the greatest and most creative era of constitutionalism in American history, and perhaps in the world. During these decades, Americans explored and debated all aspects of politics and constitutionalism - the nature of power, liberty, representation, rights, the division of authority between different spheres of government, sovereignty, judicial authority, and written constitutions.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Provides Context for Todays Mess
- By Tad on 07-20-24
By: Gordon S. Wood
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The Cause
- The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773-1783
- By: Joseph J. Ellis
- Narrated by: Graham Winton
- Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 407
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 349
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 349
George Washington claimed that anyone who attempted to provide an accurate account of the war for independence would be accused of writing fiction. At the time, no one called it the “American Revolution”: Former colonists still regarded themselves as Virginians or Pennsylvanians, not Americans, while John Adams insisted that the British were the real revolutionaries, for attempting to impose radical change without their colonists’ consent. With The Cause, Ellis takes a fresh look at the events between 1773 and 1783.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Modest history primer, wished for more substance
- By Buretto on 10-21-21
By: Joseph J. Ellis
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The Second Amendment
- A Biography
- By: Michael Waldman
- Narrated by: John Glouchevitch
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 98
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 83
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 83
The life story of the most controversial, volatile, misunderstood provision of the Bill of Rights. At a time of increasing gun violence in America, Waldman's book provoked a wide range of discussion. This book looks at history to provide some surprising, illuminating answers. The Amendment was written to calm public fear that the new national government would crush the state militias made up of all (white) adult men - who were required to own a gun to serve. Waldman recounts the raucous public debate that has surrounded the amendment from its inception to the present.
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1 out of 5 stars
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were not paying attention, just passed it
- By Donald LaFave on 02-27-21
By: Michael Waldman
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The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution
- By: Kevin R.C. Gutzman
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 635
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 466
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 467
Instead of the system that the Constitution intended, judges have created a system in which bureaucrats and appointed officials make most of the important policies. While the government claims to be a representative republic, somehow hot-button topics from gay marriage to the allocation of Florida's presidential electors always seem to be decided by unelected judges. What gives them the right to decide such issues? The judges say it's the Constitution.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The best PIG to date
- By Matthew Groom on 05-16-08
What listeners say about Active Liberty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Maki
- 09-04-07
Engaging, If Somewhat Dense
Maybe if you're a constituional scholar or lawyer, this stuff is easy to follow, but for a lay person, it wasn't quite as easy to digest. Still, I very much looked forward to hearing this book read by Justice Breyer himself, and I found his philosophies and justifications quite sound and very convincing. I will probably have to re-read this book several times to get every aspect of it, but I found the exercise very challenging and worthwhile.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David S. Mathew
- 09-17-18
Propose, not Prose
This is an examination of Justice Steven Breyer’s theory of Constitutional interpretation. In short, Breyer stresses the importance of legal analysis focusing on the drafter’s intent and practical goals, rather than an overemphasis on the plain text alone. He does this bearing in mind the importance of “active liberty,” an ancient concept meant to encourage civic participation by the public at large.
A word of warning: This is book was written for an audience already comfortable with more advanced aspects of legal theory, not the general public. Because of that, I would certainly recommend it for attorneys or for someone interested in advanced Constitutional Law. If that sounds like you, there is a wealth of knowledge contained in here. Go for it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Maggie
- 12-24-10
excellent and worth the time
since i have no legal training, i too found breyer's ideas densely presented but still could detect the value of this audio, which is like having a very smart legal scholar spend time telling me what he thinks. with several listens, i will know far more than i did before and have spent my time well. i greatly appreciate breyer's efforts of forming up his thoughts and then presenting them in his own voice. his ideas help me to re-invest in hope that "truth will out" ... an excellent antidote to the "nattering nabobs of negativism" that stream from today's media.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joe
- 11-14-21
Master's Class on the Constitution Applied
Left, right, or center, this is like an afternoon's master's class on the Constitution and its application, and presented the way a good professor does -- he doesn't pretend he doesn't have his own views, bit he presents all the main approaches, various considerations and emphases, and a look into the mechanics of the court. You're not recruited, but informed. Time well spent.
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