By Seth Lipsky, Basic Books, New York, N.Y. 336 pages, $25.95

What is a book expressly written for the lay reader doing in the review column of a newspaper published for lawyers? Just a glance at a page or two of “The Citizen’s Constitution” will answer the question. Seth Lipsky, an experienced journalist and editor, offers a wealth of information about and insight into our national charter, material of the sort that most of us never knew or had long ago forgotten.