In the six years since my book was published I’ve wanted to update it. Badly. That feeling increases each week. I’m dying to add ‘asides’ (in the book they’re labeled FYI, BTW, IMO) that address new constitutional quagmires (Is the SAVE Act a poll tax? Can the president declare marital law? Will the Supreme Court change the meaning of birthright citizenship?). In 2024 I released a paperback with more real-world examples — but it wasn’t enough.
Then, a few months ago, I realized something: I don’t need to wait for a new printing. I can do a course using my book and incorporate added context through that.
So that’s what I’m doing!
Today, I’m announcing a 12-week introductory course on the Constitution that I’ll be teaching over Zoom, using my book. We’ll go through each article, section, and amendment. The final course will cover the Declaration of Independence on June 27th, the week before July 4th — just in time for its 250th Anniversary. You’ll be fully caught up on America by the time it rolls around.
"Ben Sheehan has given us a rare gift: A fun book about a serious subject. In this lively, illuminating, and memorable journey into our Constitution, he enables students (of really any age) to experience the complexities, contradictions, and genius of a document that shapes all our lives. At a time when democracy is under siege, Sheehan has written an important corrective. He does not preach, nor does he lecture—but he certainly teaches, and that is a great service to the nation."
―Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer
The full course begins on Saturday, March 14th — but the week before I’ll be doing a free (sample) class in partnership with my local SwingLeft chapter (San Gabriel Valley). I heard today there are 200 signups already! People want this info!
You can sign up for the free class here (it’s on Saturday, March 7th, at 1pm ET / 10am PT). And, if you want to register for the full course, just become a Founding Member of Politics Made Easy (this Substack). That gets you:
Access to all 12 live classes on Zoom
Access to the full course archive (helpful if you miss a class)
An autographed book for use in class
A one-year paid subscription to Politics Made Easy
A 15-minute one-on-one Q&A with me over Zoom
The cost of being a Founding Member is $150, or $12.50 per class (what you’d pay for hot yoga, which is basically what our founders did in that sweaty room for four months). And it includes the autographed book, full course archive, one-year paid Substack subscription, and 15-minute one-on-one Zoom Q&A.
I believe it’s what they call a deal!
"Ben provides a totally fresh departure for thinking about the Constitution for lots of people who don't make a livelihood out of it, but need to understand it. A wonderful, breakthrough book."―Jamie Raskin, U.S. representative and former constitutional law professor at American University's Washington College of Law
Lastly, don’t worry — if you’re already a free or a (non-founding) paid subscriber, you can simply upgrade to ‘Founding Member’ to register for the course.
If you have questions, my DMs are open (per usual).
Hope to see you over Zoom!
(If you can’t do the course — but still want the book — here’s a non-Amazon place to order it. I’ll also send you a personalized, autographed bookplate to stick inside the cover. Just message me your address and a screenshot of your receipt.)
