Most Americans know the phrases. "We the People." " All Men are Created Equal." Congress shall make no law." But knowing the words is not the same as understanding the document. Carving Liberty: An Examination of the Declaration and Constitution is a comprehensive, nonpartisan guide to the founding document that define American life. Beginning with the philosophical roots of the Declaration of Independence and moving through every Article, Amendment, and landmark Supreme Court case — from Marbury v. Madison in 1803 to the decisions coming out of the Court today — this book explains not just what the Constitution says, but why it was written, how it has been interpreted, and what it means for your rights and freedoms right now. Covering 250 years of constitutional history, Carving Liberty traces the fights over slavery that nearly broke the founding, the Civil War amendments that redefined equality, the Progressive Era reforms that expanded democracy, and the modern cases still being decided in courtrooms across the country. This is not a book that argues the Constitution is perfect. It is a book that argues it is worth understanding - deeply, honestly, and in full.