Supreme Court The Supreme Court's History of Comforting the Comfortable and Afflicting the Afflicted

Supreme Court The Supreme Court's History of Comforting the Comfortable and Afflicting the Afflicted

Supreme Court The Supreme Court's History of Comforting the Comfortable and Afflicting the Afflicted

Few American institutions have inflicted greater suffering on ordinary people than the Supreme Court of the United States. Since its inception, the justices of the Supreme Court have shaped a nation where children toiled in coal mines, where Americans could be forced into camps because of their race, and where a woman could be sterilized against her will by state law. The Court was the midwife of Jim Crow, the right hand of union busters, and the dead hand of the Confederacy. Nor is the modern Court a vast improvement, with its incursions on voting rights and its willingness to place elections for sale.

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Supreme Court The Supreme Court's History of Comforting the Comfortable and Afflicting the Afflicted

Supreme Court Chief Justice A Supreme Court Memoir [Kindle Edition]

Supreme Court Chief Justice A Supreme Court Memoir [Kindle Edition]

Supreme Court Chief Justice A Supreme Court Memoir [Kindle Edition]

I think this interesting book by retired Justice John Paul Stevens will appeal to two groups. First, the general reader without much particular knowledge of the Court will find it a pleasant introduction to how the Court functions, the role of the Chief Justice, and some important decisions. Since Stevens served between 1975 and his retirement in 2010, almost the longest term of service in Court history, he has a remarkable perspective for painting a rich and full picture of the Court as an institution. The second group consists of folks like myself who are serious students of the Court and yearn for an insider's candid views of his former colleagues, how the Court operated, and how some important decisions were hammered out.

Stevens is full of some spicy opinions on various topics and not shy about articulating them. His initial chapter is a very quick run through the first 12 chief justices. This affords the reader with a context in which to put Stevens' views of his own period of service. But at 26 pages, it is pretty sketchy, but still helpful for the general reader. Next, he addresses the role of the Chief Justice, not just hearing arguments and writing opinions, but also the important administrative responsibilities he has, such as those involving the Judicial Conference and the temporary transfer of judges. Then he gets into the meat of the book--five chiefs with whom he interacted and/or served.

First up is Fred Vinson who was chief while Stevens was a clerk to Justice Rutledge in the 1947 term. Because his interaction was not great, his personal insights are limited, but he clearly was not impressed with Vinson as Chief. Next he discusses Earl Warren, but since he only interacted with Warren during one oral argument, his personal insights are limited. Read more

Supreme Court Chief Justice A Supreme Court Memoir [Kindle Edition]

Supreme Court The Supreme Court

Supreme Court The Supreme Court

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Supreme Court The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court DVD Series (2007)

Supreme Court The Supreme Court

AWARDS AND HONORS
A 2008 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner, Television
2007 CINE Special Jury Award - Best of History
2007 New York Festivals Gold World Medal: The Supreme Court: A Nation of Liberties
2007 New York Festivals Silver World Medal: The Supreme Court: The Rehnquist Revolution
2007 IDA Best Limited Series (International Documentary Association)
2007 New York Festivals Gold World Medal, Best Editing
2007 New York Festivals Gold World Medal, Best Lighting
2007 New York Festivals Silver World Medal, Best Writing
An Unprecedented Series Exploring The History, Impact and Drama of America s Highest Court.

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Supreme Court The Supreme Court