This work is an overview of American constitutional development, from the founding of the English colonies down through the decisions of the latest term of the Supreme Court. The authors examine in detail the cases handed down by the Supreme Court, showing how these cases played out in the society at large and how constitutional growth parallels change in American culture. The authors also look at lesser known decisions that played important roles in effecting change, and at the Justices who made these decisions. The book offers students of American constitutional history a complete reference work which should be intelligible to the layperson as well as to the specialist.