Charles L Black

Originally published at the height of the Watergate crisis, Charles Black’s classic Impeachment: A Handbook has long been the premier guide to the subject of presidential impeachment. Now thoroughly updated with new chapters by Philip Bobbitt, it remains essential reading for every concerned citizen. Praise for Impeachment: “To understand impeachment, read this book. It shows how the rule of law limits power, even of the most powerful, and reminds us that the impact of the law on our lives ultimately depends on the conscience of the individual American.”—Bill Bradley, former United States senator “The most important book ever written on presidential impeachment.”—Lawfare “A model of how so serious an act of state should be approached.”—Wall Street Journal “A citizen’s guide to impeachment. . . . Elegantly written, lucid, intelligent, and comprehensive.”—New York Times Book Review “The finest text on the subject I have ever read.”—Ben Wittes

The power of the courts, and especially of the Supreme Court, is very great in our political system. This power is justified by the public on the ground that the courts decide cases "according to law." On the other hand, much modern thought about law tends to suggest that the concept of "decision according to law" is elusive. In this book, Charles L. Black Jr., Sterling Professor of Law at Yale Law School, explores and illustrates the extent to which "decision according to law" can be understood and attained in our times and with our insights. Professor Black concludes that, while "decision according to law" cannot, in any simple sense, now be wholly understood or attained, it is too important a concept to be given up. The text of this book consists of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Lectures which Professor Black delivered at the Harvard Law School. Charles Black was the author of several previous books including Capital Punishment: The Inevitability of Caprice and Mistake, published by Norton. Professor Black lived in New Haven, Connecticut.

"Many . . . unwritten rights are somehow inherent in the American scheme of democracy. So where do these freedoms come from? . . . One of the nation`s most venerated thinkers about such matters offers a provocative and refreshing way to answer that question."—Neil A. Lewis, New York Times Book Review"An appealing interpretation of the founding papers."—Michael G. Radigan, New York Law Journal"A remarkably interesting book. It offers a way of looking at the Constitution that I had not thought about before."—Sanford Levinson, School of Law, University of Texas at AustinOne of the most respected scholars of constitutional law here argues for a national commitment to human rights based on his interpretation of three critical documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution, and the "citizenship" and "privileges and immunities" clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The book presents a powerful case for reviewing and renewing the basis of our most important human rights.