What Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy Is Supposed to Work

by Ben Sheehan

Overview

Do you know what the Constitution actually says?
This witty, highly relevant annotation is your go-to guide to how the U.S. government works (or is supposed to work).

Written by political savant Ben Sheehan, and vetted for accuracy by experts in the field of constitutional law, What Does the Constitution Actually Say? is an entertaining and accessible primer on what our Constitution actually lays out.

With clear notes and graphics on everything from presidential powers to Supreme Court nominations to hidden loopholes, Sheehan walks us through the entire Constitution (with a bonus section on the Declaration of Independence). Besides putting the Constitution in modern-day English (so that it can be understood), What Does the Constitution Actually Say? gives you everything you need to be an effective voter and citizen in the November elections and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762489053
Publisher:	Workman Publishing Company
Publication date:	07/09/2024
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Ben Sheehan is a political commentator and digital creator. He has appeared on shows including Real Time with Bill Maher, Good Morning America, Amanpour & Company and more. Ben has won Shorty, Reed, and Webby Awards for his writing and production work. He was named one of entertainment’s “35 Under 35” by The Hollywood Reporter and a “World Changing Ideas” finalist by Fast Company for his approach to civics education.

Editorial Reviews

"Ben Sheehan has given us a rare gift: A fun book about a serious subject. In this lively, illuminating, and memorable journey into our Constitution, he enables students (of really any age) to experience the complexities, contradictions, and genius of a document that shapes all our lives. At a time when democracy is under siege, Sheehan has written an important corrective. He does not preach, nor does he lecture—but he certainly teaches, and that is a great service to the nation."
 —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer

This is a honey of a book, wonderfully suited for anyone who wants to speak authoritatively but simply about the Constitution. It is confidently recommended for high-school-, public-, and college-library collections.
 —Booklist

"Ben provides a totally fresh departure for thinking about the Constitution for lots of people who don't make a livelihood out of it, but need to understand it. A wonderful, breakthrough book."—Jamie Raskin, U.S. representative and former professor of constitutional law at American University's Washington College of Law

"Finally someone has created an easy way to teach something that's so crucial to us as citizens and as a country. Read this if you want to be smart, no pressure."

—Derek Waters, creator of Drunk History

"Ben grew up in D.C. and had a parent who worked in the U.S. Senate, which gave him the privilege of learning how the government works from a young age. Ben shares that privilege in OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say? This clear, understandable translation of the Constitution immensely helps us understand WTF actually goes on in our government."—Ilana Glazer, activist, actress and co-creator of Broad City

"In a meeting a few years ago, Ben Sheehan made the topic of gerrymandering genuinely funny to me. Ever since, he's been someone I think of when I look for examples on how to make civics more accessible. Give this book a read!"

—Kal Penn, actor and former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement

"I wish this book existed 50 years ago when I moved to the United States. Ben's constitutional breakdown is a must-read for every current and aspiring citizen."

—Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California

From the Publisher