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Robert G. Natelson
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The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said And Meant Kindle Edition

by Robert G. Natelson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 132 ratings
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Knowledge is power.

This book is full of information that even many experts don't know. From it, you will learn:

The Constitution’s hidden meanings. Many of its words and phrases meant something different in the 18th century than they do today.

How the founders wanted the Constitution interpreted. Is it really a “living” document? (The answers may surprise you!)

How the original Constitution protected your rights.

What a privilege is, and how it is different from a right.

How the framers were ahead of their time in respecting women and minorities.
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  1. Print length
    350 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 8, 2014
  4. File size
    998 KB
  5. Page Flip
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  6. Word Wise
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  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PEBGPAE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Apis Books; 3rd edition (November 8, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 998 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 132 ratings

About the author

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Robert G. Natelson

Robert G. Natelson

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Robert G. Natelson's meticulous studies of the Constitution's original meaning have been relied on repeatedly in the U.S. Supreme Court, both by justices and by the parties. Professor Natelson was a law professor for 25 years at three different universities. He taught Constitutional Law, Advanced Constitutional, Constitutional History, and First Amendment courses. He is now the Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Independence Institute in Denver, Colorado.

You can read Rob Natelson's trilogy of articles on Amending the Constitution for free at these links:

http://liberty.i2i.org/files/2012/06/IP_6_2012_c.pdf

http://liberty.i2i.org/files/2012/03/IP_5_2011_c.pdf

http://constitution.i2i.org/files/2010/12/IP_7_2010_a.pdf

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
132 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book informative, detailed, and a great research tool. They say it's well-written and the author is gifted.

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9 customers mention "Information quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and detailed. They say it's a great research tool, a good reference, and a good go-to for perspective on the Constitution.

"...he liked it and I trust his judgement that this book is a good go to for some perspective on the constitution." Read more

"Prof. Natelson provides us with both an informative and detailed book regarding the original meaning of Our Constitution but he also provides us..." Read more

"...I really like it in that it can be used as a reference book and not have to be read from the front to the back...." Read more

"...about the various articles or clauses, this is the place to find a good interpretation. ." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book very well-written and informative. They also say the author is gifted.

"...I always take one when traveling. And the writer is simply gifted." Read more

"Very well written and informative" Read more

"It's a well written opinion of history...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

mary beth kirkpatrick
5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Natelson is a well known conservative historian.
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
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I have enjoyed Robert Natelson’s editorials in the Epoch Times for a long time and so was very sure that this book would make a great gift for my history buff brother. My judgement was spot on; he liked it and I trust his judgement that this book is a good go to for some perspective on the constitution.
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Eugene C.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Reference for Constitutionalist
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2015
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Prof. Natelson provides us with both an informative and detailed book regarding the original meaning of Our Constitution but he also provides us with a “How-To” book on Constitutional interpretation. Most of us think we understand and comprehend the words we read. We think we get the authors mean by simply reading what he has written. If there is an unfamiliar word, we look its’ meaning up on-line (maybe even in a dictionary). According to Natelson, this approach can lead you into misinterpretation.
Natelson argues that the Constitution is a legal document, drafted by some of the smartest legal minds of the founding era, and debated during the ratification process by other equally brilliant founders to establish assurances about what was meant and intended by the words of the document. The explanations in the Federalist Papers and the notes taken during the convention all provide part of the basis for interpreting the Constitution. In addition, he argues, that the ideas and thoughts of the of the founding era exemplified by the education of the founders, and the ancient histories as they were known to the Constitution authors helped to shape the meaning of individual clauses in the document. The fact that most of the founders had some familiarity with Latin, Greek and English Common Law established a background upon which the Constitution authors drew. Without this background modern interpreters a libel to make an error. This common background helped to create a succinct document that did not need pages of explanation to convey meaning.
Anyone who wants of understand the meaning and intent of the Constitution need this book in their reference library.
26 people found this helpful
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Merciless
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the go-to book on the Constitution
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2021
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I like this book so much I bought 3 copies - in case the WOKE find out about it. Studying the Constitution is a complex undertaking, but this book will put you in the league with Amy Barret (SCOTUS). I seemed to have overrated her, but this book will have you understanding how the Constitution actually continues to be the most important document in the world (excepting the Bible). You'll understand why you need other texts to really understand the Constitution in context, something that most "scholars" who are really idiots (FAKE NEWS TYPES) will never comprehend. If you have a Constitutionalist in your family this book will amaze them. I always take one when traveling. And the writer is simply gifted.
16 people found this helpful
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coy bullard
4.0 out of 5 stars If you want to know, good read
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2024
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I just wanted to know about how our framers figured out how to write our constitution , the author explains in it very well
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bf
5.0 out of 5 stars Seen through the lens of the Founders, NYSRPA v. Bruen decision is more than just the 2nd Admendment
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2022
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Robert G. Natelson, through his research into the writings that influenced the Founders generation, the concerns the Founders had of an all powerful Federal government and the grammatical quirks of the time period, has made a compelling argument that the Constitution as taught today is not the Constitution the Founders wrote.
In 2022, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas penned the NYSRPA v. Bruen decision stating that the 2nd Admendment must be adjudicated using the standard "text as informed by history and tradition"; the Court, during that term, also corrected it's decision of Roe v. Wade, returning the question of abortion back to the individual States.
With these rulings, the Supreme Court has laid the groundwork that could well rein in the Federal Government's gross overreach into individual liberty. If the Constitution and the amendments are viewed from the prospective of "text as informed by history and tradition" and renewed emphasis on State's rights, “We the People” could well see the return of our God given liberties.
9 people found this helpful
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Dee S.
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for anyone who wants to seriously understand the Constitution.
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2017
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First off, far too many people, including those who are elected to public office never read the Constitution and then of those who do, far too many don't know what the words and phrases meant in the days of the Founders. This book gets one in the heads of the Founders and lets one know exactly what they were saying.

I really like it in that it can be used as a reference book and not have to be read from the front to the back.

I strongly recommend it for anyone who is serious about learning what the Constitution really says and being able to pass on accurate interpretation of the words and meanings and intent.
11 people found this helpful
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RBuck
5.0 out of 5 stars Use as directed
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2024
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Husband loved the quickness of delivery
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Abby
5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2023
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Gives a detailed and comprehensive look at the founders era understanding of terms and thus gives a great overview of the constitution as it was intended! Highly recommend!
One person found this helpful
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