The Bill of Rights and Civil War Amendments created a triangular power struggle among state, nation and individual. Using chronological court cases, this book examines how the Supreme Court became arbiter among the three claimants to power, sometimes backtracking and sometimes taking a bold leap forward. Focusing on Justice Rehnquist’s lengthy term on the Supreme Court, Steven T. Seitz examines the growth and emphasis of individual sovereignty throughout the twentieth century. Highlighting...

The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution at a level sufficiently general to guide lawmaking while avoiding great detail. This four-page document has guided the United States of America for more than two centuries. The Supreme Court has parsed the document into clauses, which plaintiffs and defendants invoke in cases or controversies before the Court. Some, like the Interstate Commerce Clause, are central to the survival of a government of multiple sovereignties. The practice of observin...

In the annals of linguistic curiosities, "English as She is Spoke" stands as a beacon of unintentional humor. Originally published in 1883, this Portuguese-English phrasebook by Pedro Carolino has become a cult classic for its hilariously mangled translations. From "The clock is striking twelve, and I am very hungry" to "The gentleman is very glad to see you, and he hopes you will stay to dinner," this book offers a side-splitting glimpse into the perils of cross-cultural communication. Pr...