Book Reviews : Constitutional Law. By MORRIS D. FORKOSCH. (2d ed.; Mineola, N.Y.: Founda tion Press, 1969. Pp. xxiv, 624.)

• Author: Francis D. Wormuth
• DOI: 10.1177/106591297002300121
• Published date: 01 March 1970
• Date: 01 March 1970
• Subject Matter: Articles

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the problems remain the same, the approach given them by the new President ought
to be at center stage. This book is really a record of Lyndon Johnson’s time of
troubles, a chronicle of the hopes and frustrations of the Great Society. A 1965
article on the presidency showed L.B. J. at the peak of his powers, before his image
as statesman was overwhelmed by that of partisan. Among the fourteen chapters
are new ones on poverty, the urban crisis (rather than the traditional treatment of
federalism), and the politics of violence. Unfortunately, for Johnson and for the
nation, the chapter on the making of foreign and military policy must still be pre-
occupied with the continuingly relevant dilemma of Vietnam.
Each chapter is preceded by questions for the reader to consider as he digests
the selections. After each chapter are other suggested questions for class discussion.
These queries give a quality of representativeness to the material that otherwise
might not be perceived. The authors get to the heart of the controversies and away
from such academic distinctions as those between reserved powers and delegated
powers. While most of the readings are taken from the literature of the sixties,
Scott and Wallace recognized the timeliness of such sources as Thoreau’s statement
on Civil Disobedience and the debates in the Constitutional Convention of 1787
(the latter presented as part of the &dquo;politics of nation-building&dquo;) .
William P. Gerberding’s article, &dquo;Liberals and Radicals,&dquo; should provoke dis-
cussion from a college-aged group. However, Eric Severeid’s piece, &dquo;Dissent or
Destruction,&dquo; is redundant. The chapters on civil rights and liberties and on the
politics of violence bring home to the reader the ugly side of the American Way of
Life, that violence is as much a part of our tradition as respect for law and order.
Included in the book is the summary statement of the National Advisory Com-
mission on Civil Disorders. Throughout the...