This new seven-volume series highlights the rights guaranteed to United States’ citizens by the Bill of Rights. Readers learn the rights and limitations of free speech, how the Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches, and how the Fifth through Eighth amendments protect those accused of crimes. Each amendment is explained within the historical context of the Founding Fathers’ original grievances with Great Britain. The role of the Supreme Court is also featured. Overall these volumes offer balanced information, although the website to the ACLU is promoted in nearly all titles while the ACLJ is omitted. Much space in What Is the Right to Bear Arms? is dedicated to explaining the differences between the lifestyles of 18th century and 21st century Americans, slanting this narrative to the anti-gun side of the issue. What Is Cruel and Unusual Punishment? contains an error—it states that some of the convicted “witches” in Salem, Massachusetts were burned and drowned. Though fairly comprehensive, much of the information supplied in these volumes is covered elsewhere, frequently on educational websites and titles already owned in libraries. VERDICT Each title should be considered individually and only as a refresher to established collections.

The Rosen Verified: The Bill of Rights series introduces basic freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and explains the historical reasons why the Founders considered each principle sufficiently important to make it part of the American Constitution through its inclusion in the amending document. The authors take somewhat different approaches, depending on the topics discussed, but they write clearly and concisely, using pertinent examples to show how federal courts have interpreted an amendment or a particular clause. The book design is visually attractive, ensuring each two-page spread features at least one illustration—nearly all of which are clearly reproduced color photographs that are relevant to the topics discussed. Cruel and Unusual introduces the Eighth Amendment and tells how the line between acceptable and unacceptable punishments has shifted since the late 1700s. Free Speech discusses freedom of the press as well as people’s rights to practice their religion, express themselves, assemble peaceably, and petition the government. The Right to a Trial by Jury introduces the elements of a federal court trial, explains each one succinctly, and discusses points of weaknesses within the system, such as implicit biases among jury members. The Right to Bear Arms looks at what the Founders were considering when they wrote this amendment as well as contemporary arguments on both sides of legal cases involving firearms. An attractive series discussing a bedrock American document for students today.