The Second Amendment

A Biography

By: Michael Waldman

Narrated by: John Glouchevitch

Widely acclaimed at the time of its publication, 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. As the country spread to the Western frontier, violence spread too. But through it all, gun control was abundant. In the 20th century, with Prohibition and gangsterism, the first federal control laws were passed. In all four separate times the Supreme Court ruled against a constitutional right to own a gun.

The present debate picked up in the 1970s-part of a backlash to the liberal 1960s and a resurgence of libertarianism. A newly radicalized NRA entered the campaign to oppose gun control and elevate the status of an obscure constitutional provision. In 2008, in a case that reached the Court after a focused drive by conservative lawyers, the US Supreme Court ruled for the first time that the Constitution protects an individual right to gun ownership. Famous for his theory of "originalism," Justice Antonin Scalia twisted it in this instance to base his argument on contemporary conditions.

In The Second Amendment: A Biography, Michael Waldman shows that our view of the amendment is set, at each stage, not by a pristine constitutional text, but by the push and pull, the rough and tumble of political advocacy and public agitation.

©2014 Michael Waldman (P)2018 Tantor

Strong liberal bias but a good book

The author doesn’t try to hide his political leaning but no less an engrossing book on the history of the 2nd amendment.

Understanding BOTH clauses of the Second Amendment

An enlightening and enjoyable history and analysis of what the Second Amendment really means, including the popular meaning in colonial days of “a well-regulated militia” and even the military implications of “to bear arms”. The book is just the right length, not overlong or redundant, and so, unlike many extended essays, it does not wear out its welcome.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to better understand the meaning and significance of gun rights in America.

Surprisingly fair

This book is an excellent review of Second Amendment history. Though the narrative does lean a little bit to the left at times, I still think it was fair, based on my study and fact checking.

My Opinion On This Book

I found the book to be quite informative. I found out things I hadn't known prior to listening to it. I can recommend this book to historians and 2nd Amendment enthusiasts. There, at times, when the book, while listening, where it got a bit long. I mean, my mind would stray from time to time. Other than that, It is a good listening book.

very bias views.

the author is definitely one sided with his views of the 2nd. it would have been better sticking to just the history and relate facts. we get enough bias info from the news.

Balanced and in depth perspective

Historical perspective & accuracy as well as its balance. Its detailed recounting of the US Constitution’s drafting and redrafting and efforts for adoption is excellent.

Excellent history of the second amendment

A great listen for anyone concerned about the gun debate and the second amendment, and a excellent history altogether.
Thanks

An interesting cherry picking of history

The author obviously did his homework but seemed content to be fairly one-sided, which of course is his right. Maligning people on the other side (Scalia) is not often a sign of a strong case.

Excellent analysis of the ENTIRE Amendment

I can understand why extreme gun rights advocates would not like this book. A clear analysis of the opening clause of the Second Amendment, referencing the need for a "well regulated militia," makes it evident that the ensuing phrase "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" is not the unlimited right that extremist claim. The book also makes it evident that Justice Scalia was not the "originalist" he claimed to be. Whatever "originalism" means, if Justice Scalia was attempting to discern the intent of the framers of the Bill of Rights, the book is a strong argument that he got that wrong. I recommend this book to gun rights advocates who are open minded enough to subject their beliefs to scrutiny. They will learn something.

Good review of early 2A history

It started as a very good independent review of 2A history in the U.S.. The 2 chapters then turn into far more into opinion than facts.