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sdmomof5boys's review against another edition
3.0
Gave some good info and examples of how our political leaders neglect the Constitution and have usurped so much power over the people. It was informative, giving me a better understanding of the methods used to trample freedom. I would liked to have seen a more balanced approach showing how both parties are abusing their power. I get the author is a Republican senator, but if you’re going to point out the political leaders willfully subverting the Constitution, better be sure to include both sides or it loses some credibility for me.
ncrabb's review against another edition
4.0
While much of this book is predictable in terms of the positions taken by arguably the most conservative senator in America, It is so, so much more.
In this relatively short book, Lee looks at various sections of the constitution and provides a highly readable history of how those sections came to be. So capable is he as a writer that you feel the stifling heat of what would be independence Hall in Philadelphia. You picture Ben Franklin leaning heavily on a cane as he approaches the podium to speak. Lee brings to life the drama, debate, and uncertainty of the constitution creation process and its passage.
Among the most fun parts of the book is an account Lee provides of a summer day when he was 10 and the parents had gone out on a brief errand. He remembers the large bus that pulled into his neighborhood and discharged a group of protesters. (Mike Lee’s dad was at that time serving as Solicitor General in the Reagan administration.) The protesters had come to parade about in front of young Mike’s house to protest his dad’s pro-life stance, Young Mike recalls being patronized by the demonstrators who thought he needed instruction on their constitutional right to parade in front of his house. In reality, conversations around the Lee dinner table had more than adequately educated young Mike regarding the constitutional right of protesters among other things. Mike credited the group with being careful not to actually step onto property owned by his parents, but you get the strongest impression that he derived at least a quiet smile when, after pacing and chanting for the better part of an afternoon, the protesters returned to their bus and drove away disappointed, since Mike’s dad, who had been the target of the protest, was never there to acknowledge their efforts. In fact, his folks drove up just minutes after the bus left the neighborhood.
I loved that story. Mike Lee’s neighbors approached him during the protest to ask if he were scared. He assured them that he was perfectly fine watching as only a plucky 10-year-old would the pacing chanting demonstrators.
Of course, the meat and potatoes of the book is Lee’s perspective that the current president has overreached his constitutionally appropriated power. He offers solutions that would limit the power of government and restore the divisions of powers among the three branches of government.
In this relatively short book, Lee looks at various sections of the constitution and provides a highly readable history of how those sections came to be. So capable is he as a writer that you feel the stifling heat of what would be independence Hall in Philadelphia. You picture Ben Franklin leaning heavily on a cane as he approaches the podium to speak. Lee brings to life the drama, debate, and uncertainty of the constitution creation process and its passage.
Among the most fun parts of the book is an account Lee provides of a summer day when he was 10 and the parents had gone out on a brief errand. He remembers the large bus that pulled into his neighborhood and discharged a group of protesters. (Mike Lee’s dad was at that time serving as Solicitor General in the Reagan administration.) The protesters had come to parade about in front of young Mike’s house to protest his dad’s pro-life stance, Young Mike recalls being patronized by the demonstrators who thought he needed instruction on their constitutional right to parade in front of his house. In reality, conversations around the Lee dinner table had more than adequately educated young Mike regarding the constitutional right of protesters among other things. Mike credited the group with being careful not to actually step onto property owned by his parents, but you get the strongest impression that he derived at least a quiet smile when, after pacing and chanting for the better part of an afternoon, the protesters returned to their bus and drove away disappointed, since Mike’s dad, who had been the target of the protest, was never there to acknowledge their efforts. In fact, his folks drove up just minutes after the bus left the neighborhood.
I loved that story. Mike Lee’s neighbors approached him during the protest to ask if he were scared. He assured them that he was perfectly fine watching as only a plucky 10-year-old would the pacing chanting demonstrators.
Of course, the meat and potatoes of the book is Lee’s perspective that the current president has overreached his constitutionally appropriated power. He offers solutions that would limit the power of government and restore the divisions of powers among the three branches of government.
melisscharber's review against another edition
5.0
Truly a great book!! I learned so much history from this book! It's a shame kids are not taught about the history of our country! Would be a great read for any high school, college or self-educated adult! Senator Lee is one of the good guys trying his best to bring back what our "Founding Fathers" valued and hoped would continue for a long time. L
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