The Words We Live By from Linda R. Monk

The Words We Live By from Linda R. Monk has long been a personal favorite for use in teaching about the US Constitution and Supreme Court rulings.  Monk, a graduate of Harvard Law School is an award-winning author and recognized authority. Her work feels very interactive, with images, definitions and multiple sidebars.  In fact, I remember when it inspired a precursor to the National Constitution Center’s website where Monk is still quoted.  The Words We Live By continues to be an extremely helpful guide for students since it describes the sections and amendments of the Constitution and intersperses that interpretation with examples of actual cases.

We often use The Words We Live By in various projects related to civil liberties, court cases, and Constitutional law.  It is exciting that a digital edition (with passages from President Obama, Justice Ginsburg and others) is coming out in August prior to Constitution Day which is on September 17 this year. Monk has also authored Ordinary Americans which is another invaluable resource containing primary sources and explaining, as its subtitle notes, U.S. history through the eyes of everyday people.