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Caroline Kennedy
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In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action Paperback – March 1, 1992

by Ellen Alderman (Author), Caroline Kennedy (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 145 ratings
See all formats and editions
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New York Times Bestseller

"Exceptionally timely and well-written. . . . Amendment by amendment, the authors find cases that are soul-searching in their ramifications. . . . This is a book that demands attention and consideration." —Denver Post

The Bill of Rights defines and defends the freedoms we enjoy as Americans—from the right to bear arms to the right to a civil jury. Using the dramatic true stories of people whose lives have been deeply affected by such issues as the death penalty and the right to privacy, attorneys Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy reveal how the majestic principles of the Bill of Rights have taken shape in the lives of ordinary people, as well as the historic and legal significance of each amendment. In doing so, they shed brilliant new light on this visionary document, which remains as vital and as controversial today as it was when a great nation was newly born.

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  1. Print length
    430 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 1, 1992
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.97 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0380717204
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0380717200
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dramatic, often gripping. . . the authors succeed brilliantly at humanizing for the layperson the dilemmas posed by the Bill of Rights." — Philadelphia Inquirer

"Exceptionally timely and well-written. . . . Amendment by amendment, the authors find cases that are soul-searching in their ramifications. . . . This is a book that demands attention and consideration." — Denver Post

From the Back Cover

We The People

The Bill of Rights defines and defends the freedoms we enjoy as Americans -- from the right to bear arms to the right to a civil jury. Using the dramatic true stories of people whose lives have been deeply affected by such issues as the death penalty and the right to privacy, attorneys Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy reveal how the majestic principles of the Bill of Rights have taken shape in the lives of ordinary people, as well as the historic and legal significance of each amendment. In doing so, they shed brilliant new light on this visionary document, which remains as vital and as controversial today as it was when a great nation was newly born.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon Books; Reprint edition (March 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 430 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380717204
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380717200
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.97 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Caroline Kennedy

    Caroline Kennedy

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    Caroline Kennedy is the editor of ten New York Times bestselling books on American history, politics, constitutional law and poetry, including She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems and A Family of Poems. She works to bring the power of the spoken work to students in New York City schools. (photo credit: Ron Howard)

    See more on the author's page
  2. Ellen Alderman

    Ellen Alderman

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
145 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book great, to the point, and informative. They say it's an important resource for those studying or thinking about what happens in our courts. Readers also appreciate the well-written explanation of the Bill of Rights. They say they can relate to it and find the content detailed. Overall, customers say the book is a great price.

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ReadabilityBook contentValue for money
16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, interesting, and insightful. They say it provides some of the best background on famous cases. Readers also mention it's an important addition to the average citizen's understanding of the Constitution.

"...In Our Defense is informative, very readable and an important addition to the average citizen's understanding of our Constitution." Read more

"...This book provides some of the best background on famous cases I've ever seen." Read more

"...This book is truly a must read for anyone who isn't sure what our Bill of Rights are all about." Read more

"Great book to read. It presents the Bill of Rights and provides real life examples about the Bills. It also have the Amendments...." Read more

9 customers mention "Book content"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written, readable, and detailed. They say it's interesting and informative. Readers also mention the book shares court cases that were influenced by the Bill of Rights.

"...In Our Defense is informative, very readable and an important addition to the average citizen's understanding of our Constitution." Read more

"...of detailing the cases so that they seem so real, and you can relate to the so well. The price was extremely reasonable, and in great condition...." Read more

"Great book to read. It presents the Bill of Rights and provides real life examples about the Bills. It also have the Amendments...." Read more

"This book is very readable and boasts very accessible accounts of cases of the bill of rights...." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value for money of the book. They mention it's a good book and in great condition.

"...The price was extremely reasonable, and in great condition. This book provides some of the best background on famous cases I've ever seen." Read more

"Great price and good book. Great condition." Read more

"Great Read with a great price." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Kevin Kandefer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Whether you’re new to constitutional law or looking to sharpen up on how the amendments and case law have evolved, I highly recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
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Janeite
5.0 out of 5 stars Bill of Rights Explained
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is a well-written explanation of the Bill of Rights which is primarily for the layman. The authors take each amendment separately and present an actual case from start to finish. They even include a picture of the people involved. I would like to see this book used in high school social studies classes. In Our Defense is informative, very readable and an important addition to the average citizen's understanding of our Constitution.
6 people found this helpful
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CourtPleased
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic descriptions
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2011
Verified Purchase
The book has a great way of detailing the cases so that they seem so real, and you can relate to the so well. The price was extremely reasonable, and in great condition. This book provides some of the best background on famous cases I've ever seen.
One person found this helpful
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Brad Weisberger
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book - Repurchasing...
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book was assigned to me back when I was completing my masters program in a Civil Liberties course at SHU. Rather than being the cold, hard facts of the case presented in a stoic manner, the book presents the issues in more of a narrative from that you might find in a novel. I enjoyed the book so much that I kept it after the class ended. However, the book was among those destroyed in a storm.

As I am planning to start law school this coming Fall, I thought I would repurchase this and re-read it in the interim. An FYI, the book was assigned to me in the 1990s and so the issues may not all be exactly current.

As I am sure you can see this book is co-authored by the daughter of President Kennedy which is another interesting item.

I can't say everyone will enjoy it. These topics interest me and I enjoyed it. If you are assigned this book in a class, I do no think it will be daunting to read or use.
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Ken Mclaughlin
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is one of my all-time favorite books and have read it many times. As a baby boomer I really like that the cases Carolyn Kennedy uses were incidents that I remember. This book is truly a must read for anyone who isn't sure what our Bill of Rights are all about.
One person found this helpful
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B. Dahl
5.0 out of 5 stars Even if it weren't for a class, this would have been a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2009
Verified Purchase
This book talks about some of the Amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights. The case examples are rich with factual detail, rationale for the court decisions and also includes, in some cases,post litigation results. The book is, at times, cluttered with interesting but nonessential facts. Other that that, it was a book that I enjoyed reading through one time and then going back to do the school assignments for my paralegal class. If you care about your Constitutional rights, you should read this book!
7 people found this helpful
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yuri goff
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to read
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
Great book to read. It presents the Bill of Rights and provides real life examples about the Bills. It also have the Amendments. Great book for those interested in the legal field like I am.
One person found this helpful
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Wildflower K
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative!
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very informative!! Was a required purchase for college English class but so glad it was; great book!
4 people found this helpful
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