Bücher von Leonard W. Levy

The Pulitzer Prize-winning constitutional historian Leonard Levy here collects eight of his most important essays of recent years. Written with his characterstic erudition, clarity, directness, and verve, these explorations into the history of the law are at once an entertainment and an education. One of the clearest and most eloquent liberal interpreters of law. New York Times Book Review.

Leonard Levy's classic work examines the circumstances that led to the writing of the establishment clause of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...." He argues that, contrary to popular belief, the framers of the Constitution intended to prohibit government aid to religion even on an impartial basis

The laws of forfeiture dictate that the government may confiscate property associated with the commission of a crime. In this study, the author traces the development and implementation of forfeiture and contends that it is a questionable practice, often abused, which undermines civil society.

Here, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author traces the development of trial by jury - "the palladium of justice". He summarises the issue, and offers explanations of the full implications of one of the most basic social rights.

Rejecting the views of both left and right, Mr. Levy evaluates the doctrine of "original intent" by examining the sources of constitutional law and landmark cases. "Merciless and brilliant. In fascinating detail...Mr. Levy demonstrates that there can be no such animal [as original intent]."-Anthony Lewis, New York Times Book Review.

A distinguished constitutional historian examines Jefferson's record on civil liberties and finds it strikingly wanting. "Blunt words and blunt facts...an indispensable book." -Commentary

Traces the varied meanings of blasphemy throughout Western law. Leonard Levy argues that while past sanctions against the crime have inhibited all manner of cultural, political, scientific, and literary expression, we also pay a price for our extraordinary expansion of the scope of permissible speech. We have become, he charges, not only a free society but one that is "numb" to outrage.