Six Amendments

How and Why We Should Change the Constitution

By: John Paul Stevens

Narrated by: Daniel Hagen

For the first time ever, a retired Supreme Court Justice offers a manifesto on how the Constitution needs to change.

By the time of his retirement in June 2010, John Paul Stevens had become the second longest serving Justice in the history of the Supreme Court. Now he draws upon his more than three decades on the Court, during which he was involved with many of the defining decisions of the modern era, to offer a book like none other. Six Amendments is an absolutely unprecedented call to arms, detailing six specific ways in which the Constitution should be amended in order to protect our democracy and the safety and wellbeing of American citizens.

Written with the same precision and elegance that made Stevens's own Court opinions legendary for their clarity as well as logic, Six Amendments is a remarkable work, both because of its unprecedented nature and, in an age of partisan ferocity, its inarguable common sense.

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR THE FIVE CHIEFS:

"Informative and very appealing....It's classic justice Stevens: understated and generous to those he differs with, but absolutely clear on where he believes justice lies."
--- Adam Cohen, Time

"Laced with observations on the court's architecture, traditions and even its seating arrangements, it is the collected ruminations of a man who has served his country in war and peace, across the decades... His memoir is as gracious as its author and a reminder that Stevens is more than a longtime member of the nation's highest court. He is a national treasure."
--- Jim Newton, Los Angeles Times

"An important addition to American history....At its core, the book is not just another memoir from yet another judge. It marks instead the end of an era on the Supreme Court and in the broader swath of American law and politics."
--- Andrew Cohen, The Atlantic

"Coming from the last of a dying breed of jurists who genuinely believe you can learn something from everyone if you just listen hard enough, it is a lesson in how, at the Supreme Court, civility and cordiality matter more, even, than doctrine."
--- Dahlia Lithwick, Washington Post

Good read, but low researched book

understood on a few of his points. you would have better made an argument if you would have stated the original writers intents and giving examples of such. instead he chose to make up his own intents and just declare them as true. it would have been supremely better if you would have taken some of Jefferson letters and directly quoted from Jefferson or the original writers of the amendments.

Common Sense Reform

Every law school professor and student and every politician should read this compelling argument. The seemingly modest proposals would forever change - and improve - our democracy.

This should be given some thought

I particularly like the "sunset clause" plan and how Stephen's view on gun rights might work.

Insightful, thought provoking, and quick listen

You Justice Stevens could have gone on at length for each topic in this book. Instead, he chose to provide short, illustrative examples of why each topic matters; a brief, illuminating history of the Supreme Court’s treatment of each topic; and well-reasoned arguments for why we should change.

This is a great listen for one or two afternoons of entertainment.

Makes a Strong Case

I enjoyed the book, but believe that I might have been able to follow it better in written rather than audio format. I found the book to be well reasoned and well researched. I benefitted from having some understanding of Constitutional Law. Perhaps I am prejudiced since I usually agreed with Judge Stevens when he was on the bench.