Putting America'stwofoundingdocuments together makes their 225-year-old message shine as modern, as important, as revealing, and as relevant today as they were when they were first written more than two centuries ago. Learning to better understand these two documents will recast them from antiquated reflections of an earlier time into brilliant guideposts that point the way through the highs and the lows, the successes and losses, the prosperity and the challenges of managing the most amazing freedom formula ever invented.

The Declaration of Independence may seem abstract and difficult at first, but gently taking it apart to look at its details shows it to be one of the most powerful and insightful political statements in history. This guide is for anyone who wants to know the essence of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

It is for the newly arrived immigrants to the United States who wonder about the grand vista of their new liberties. It is for the student just learning about America's founding documents for the first time.

It is for the politician who needs a quick refresher on the powers and limitations of government. It is for the individual trying to understand how to protect the human rights of people around the world.

It is for those who want to become familiar with the Constitution and Declaration but don't have the necessary time to do more than just read them. .