Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies (Aspen Student Treatise) 5th Edition

I wish I read this FREAKING supplement to correspond with the readings assigned in my actual (and utterly horrendous) Constitutional Law textbook. Instead, I bought it to use as a study aid and didn't open it until 2/3rds of the way through the semester. Every test and principal that my professor tried (and failed) to explain in a simple way, was ACTUALLY successfully explained in a simple, easy to understand way in this supplement. My mind was blown over the numerous, seemingly confusing, topics I was able to cover and understand completely within a week. I say a week because It is a BIG supplement--over 1000 pages, but don't let that scare you! The book is organized beautifully-- it is very easy to find the topics that coordinate with the topics you actually went over in class, without being forced to read unnecessary material. Considering this is the law corresponding to the Constitution, there are only so many important principals and tests the class can discuss, and they are ALL discussed in this supplement. So lets say you are sitting in class, and your professor is ranting and cavorting in, out, and around the different types of judicial scrutiny a federal court uses to determine whether certain laws violate Equal Protection. Your professor speaks haphazardly and with utter abandon regarding every subject, making it much more complicated than it seems. Your head is spinning trying to remember when to apply what level of scrutiny and why and how and when... You begin to panic! Will you FAIL Con-Law?! Oh the humanity!....Then you go home, open this book to the chapter titled "Equal Protection" and right away, within the first 2 pages, it describes and lays out the different levels of scrutiny and when to apply them in an organized and rational fashion......"Why cant regular law school textbooks be written in such a way?!" you say as you angrily wave your fists in the air. Sadly, we will never know why law school textbooks are written like first drafts, but at least you have your supplement to save the day. Praise be to Chemerinsky and his amazing Constitutional Law supplement! Law students around the nation praise your name! If you are taking Constitutional Law, don't risk it, get this supplement. Also get the casenote legal briefs supplement--trust me--you will thank me later, especially when you attempt to read Marbury v Madison on your first day of class!

I cannot recommend this strongly enough. For me, this book made Chemerinsky's name synonymous with clarity and demystification. If you don't already know, you will learn sooner or later that Chemerinsky is a rockstar, so you may as well start benefitting now. (After this book, I bought his federal jurisdiction book just because it had his name, and I didn't regret it.) He writes about the law in a way that early law students can understand the significance of the cases and doctrines. It was a great boon to class preparation, by spending a few minutes finding the assigned cases in the superb index and reading up on them to learn the main points. It is practically guaranteed that any case you will be assigned to read is at least addressed, and probably at some length, in this volume. And since con law cases are some of the most impenetrable you will read your first year, having a cipher to them is priceless.You can also let the doctrines or topics guide your reading. The table of contents is detailed and the book flows logically.When it comes to studying for the exam, this is a great resource to rehash and digest what you've covered. There is substantive discussion on all things constitutional law here, written in a way you can understand. You need to optimize your time during exam season and this will help you make sense of the mess without pounding your head against your casebook.Constitutional law is one of the most intimidating classes for a law student, so a resource this comprehensive, lucid, and reputable is a must.

This book is phenomenal. I was understanding Constitutional Law but this book just took my understanding to a whole new level. This book went deeper than just my text book or other briefing books. Its heavy but definitely rich with information. Worth it!

Great breakdown of my constitutional law class. Honestly breaks everything down in such a comprehensive way and really draws out the logical arguments of the Justices.

The book was in bad condition, I had to tape it together in several places, the cover was about to fall off, pages were in risk as well. When I received it I had to tape the pages back as well as the back and front cover. The layers of the covers were coming apart and I ended up taping those as well. Internally it was ok, except for the mark of water that obviously touched the book through several pages. Otherwise there is no highlighting in it and it was readable. And don't worry, the way I taped it doesn't even show, it looks much nicer now.

I bought this book for my boyfriend and he loves it. For someone who wants to go to law school, this is a great book.

I used this for Constitutional Law and again when I was writing my Note. Chemerinsky is really good at explaining Con Law. He also provides a multitude of sources for anyone writing a Note related to a Con Law topic. I would recommend this book if you were like me and struggled to understand Marbury v. Madison.

ADVICE: BUY THE 4TH EDITION -> I bought the 5th edition because the 4th was released before Sebelius, but wish I hadn't. The 4th edition is MUCH cheaper, and honestly, Sebelius did not change much in the doctrine. The notes on Sebelius were not that important, I could have filled in my outline with what I needed to know about Sebelius without them.