Students really like the book and have made spontaneous comments in their course evaluations about how much they enjoy the text. The text has several strengths: great use of visuals and graphics; case discussion is quite good at placing cases in historical context; and the boxes with personal interest pieces are also very helpful.
The design and focus of the book are terrific. I use several of the supplemental cases from the resource center in every unit; they are very helpful.”
Overall, I like the Epstein and Walker book very much. In particular, I like the cases included as well as the specific excerpts. Additionally, I like the online bank of cases because there are some that I prefer to cover in class. Having the ‘Facts’ separated from the ‘Arguments’ is very appreciated and allowed for a more focused discussion during class and students were able to follow along more easily.
Students find the text lively and very helpful. In fact, some had been relying on Internet downloads until they realized how much essential background material they were forfeiting by not using the text. They find the text, moreover, easy to read—anything but ponderous (which many competing casebooks are).
This casebook for students explores the authority of government as it has developed under U.S. constitutional law, with an emphasis on political factors. The volume contains excerpts from important Court rulings as well as commentary explaining how the law is being applied. Epstein (political science, Washington U., St. Louis) and Walker (political science, Emory U.) describe the events that lead up to the suits and the lawyers, litigants, and interest groups involved. Also included are a glossary of legal terms and brief biographies of justices. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Constitutional Law for a Changing America remains the best political science Constitutional Law textbook on the market. It contains everything I want—an appropriate set of cases, lots of contextual material, and well edited opinions. It is a title that has evolved smartly without losing its core features.
I have used this text for several years and students report enjoying it every year. The integration of historical documents and the lively commentary about the historical and political contexts of cases bring them to life and make the material more engaging for students.
This textbook is a thorough and thought-provoking textbook that provides historical context to assist students in understanding the complex, political, and evolutionary nature of the Supreme Court.
If you are teaching a course on Constitutional Law, you should use Epstein and Walker’s book. They have provided the gold standard. This book is chalked full of cases, concepts, analysis, and useful tables and charts. I think they present the political discussion in an ideologically neutral manner and stick to the facts when it comes to covering the main material. Epstein and Walker provide all of the tools that are needed for an instructor to properly present the material and for students to easily grasp the concepts in a course involving constitutional principles, institutional powers, and the checks on the exercise of power.
Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints is by far the best text I’ve found for presenting the broad topics of constitutional law by integrating case law with the broader socio-political context. Epstein and Walker do a fine job of balancing excerpts and analyses throughout the book while keeping an admirably balanced tone."
Constitutional Law in a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints is a great textbook. What I like the most are the comprehensive ‘Facts’ and ‘Arguments’ sections within each case, which I find vital in teaching and explaining the reasons behind the Court’s outcomes. The introductory chapter explaining how cases arrive at the Supreme Court and the different methods of constitutional interpretation used in resolving cases also provides a natural starting point for discussions of the Supreme Court and constitutional law.
The presentation of cases in Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints is useful for both my students and me. The presentation lends itself to in-class discussions, permitting students to participate in meaningful ways. The combination of legal, political, and historical analysis helps students to understand the multitude of considerations relevant to the Court’s decisions.
This is the best undergraduate text I’ve found for teaching the evolution of the Supreme Court’s decision-making on constitutional rights and liberties. The authors strike an excellent balance between providing essential contextual material and offering well edited opinions of the Court on key topics. Students consistently respond positively to the textbook because it so engaging and accessible, in terms of both writing style and layout/design.
