Best Discrimination Constitutional Law Books of 2026

A paradigm-shifting investigation of Jim Crow–era violence and its legal apparatus, "By Hands Now Known" by Margaret A. Burnham, director of Northeastern University’s Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, is a finalist for the 2022 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction. Burnham explores the relationship between formal law and background legal norms in a series of harrowing cases from 1920 to 1960, revealing the true legal system of Jim Crow and capturing the memories of those whose stories have not yet been heard. This book is a must-read for those interested in African American history and the criminal legal system.

White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide is a powerful and thought-provoking book that reframes the conversation about race in America. Author Carol Anderson chronicles the history of white opposition to black progress in the United States, from the Civil War to the present day. Anderson argues that every time African Americans have made strides towards full participation in American democracy, white reaction has fueled a deliberate and relentless rollback of their gains. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of America's racial divide and the ongoing struggle for equality.

The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence: The Constitution of the United States of America is a must-have book for every American, historian, and member of the legal profession. It contains the full text of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which are the backbone of United States government. Acclaimed Constitutional scholar Paul Skousen frames the text with a brief preface, important facts, and a guide to parts that became invalid due to later amendments. This handy guide can easily fit into your pocket, briefcase, or iPad case, and can become your best friend. This book is a great tool for understanding the most basic principles of good government.

What if I Say the Wrong Thing?: 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People is a compelling tip book that provides innovative and surprising ways to keep your personal diversity journey moving and the diversity commitment of your organization. The book offers quick answers to typical diversity questions, making the information bite-size and accessible. The author's 25 habits are pearls of wisdom, packaged in personal stories to which readers can relate. The book's format acknowledges that bad and old habits are hard to break and require alternative behaviors to practice in order to form new ones. This is a truly wonderful book that practitioners will benefit greatly from.

Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism by James W. Loewen is a powerful and thought-provoking book that delves into the hidden history of racial exclusion in America. Loewen uncovers thousands of "sundown towns" where Blacks were not welcome, and exposes the ugly truth of American racism. The book won the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award and received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist. In a new preface, Loewen puts this history in the context of current controversies around white supremacy and the Black Lives Matter movement. Sundown Towns is an instant classic that provides a comprehensive history of a dark chapter in America's past and is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots of racism in America.

Faces at the Bottom of the Well by Derrick Bell is a thought-provoking and timely exploration of racism in America. Through allegory and historical examples, Bell argues that racism is an integral part of American society and that African American struggles for equality are doomed to fail unless whites see their own well-being threatened by the status quo. Bell's perspective remains relevant today and his vision of the racial divide in American society and history has the power to provoke debate and activism. This book is a pioneering contribution to critical race theory scholarship and is essential reading on the problem of racism in America.

Red Hot City by Dan Immergluck is a captivating examination of Atlanta's growth and how it has led to inequality and racial division. Immergluck delves into the city's past and future, documenting the trends that have caused low-income people and families of color to be pushed out of the city's center. He offers critical lessons for leaders, activists, and residents on how to create more socially equitable cities. This book is essential for anyone who loves cities and is seeking to make them more inclusive and just.

The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice is a timely and informative work that explores how restorative justice can transform the African-American experience in America. Social activist Fania E. Davis unites the racial justice and restorative justice movements, highlighting real initiatives that address historical harms against African Americans throughout the nation. This book is a much-needed examination of the issue of race in America and a beacon of hope as we strive to repair damage and change perspectives. It is a valuable addition to the Justice and Peacebuilding series and a must-read for scholars and practitioners seeking to increase awareness and effect positive change.

"How to Fight Anti-Semitism" by Bari Weiss is a timely and urgent wake-up call to all Americans. The book exposes the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in the country and explains what we can do to defeat it. Weiss, a former New York Times writer, provides a comprehensive view of the three-headed dragon that Jews are facing in America today. The book highlights how anti-Semitism now finds a home in identity politics as well as the reaction against identity politics, in the renewal of America First isolationism and the rise of one-world socialism, and in the spread of Islamist ideas into unlikely places. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned with the rise of anti-Semitism and hate crimes in America."