This article was originally written for my old blog in 2023. It took approximately two weeks to complete this 480+ page history of the Supreme Court, with a tiny font, I might add. In homage to Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States," who wrote the forward of this book, Irons aims to share the stories of those who made the most significant Supreme Court decisions in its history. Not just the black-robed justices, but also the often desperate-for-justice plaintiffs.

This was an admirable effort, and I truly enjoyed reading this book. However, I have a few issues to discuss. First, I was somewhat surprised that some of the most important cases I learned about in my Constitutional Law classes over 15 years ago were not mentioned. I'm specifically thinking of Brandenburg v. Ohio and the peyote case, Employment Division v. Smith.

Irons did mention several other landmark Free Speech cases during this time, but the omission of the above cases seemed odd to me. I also found it surprising that he did not mention the RFRA, which was passed in response to the negative reaction to the Employment Division v. Smith opinion.

Secondly, it was clear that this book made no pretense of being objective. I found some of Irons's comments to be unfair from a historical perspective. For example, his assessment that Johan Marshall Harlan was still a racist, despite his dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson, did not sit well with me.

Finally, while Irons was not as explicit as he could have been, it was evident that the Supreme Court has always been a political body. Some of the appointments seemed like pure quid pro quo, and many of the earlier justices did not even want to be on the Court. When I hear people complain about today's partisan Court, I just roll my eyes.

Overall, I found this book highly fascinating, despite my minor quibbles. It was great to be reminded of some of the cases I once learned about, and it was also surprising to learn some new facts. I look forward to reading more Supreme Court histories and biographies, especially of Louis Brandeis and Oliver Wendell Holmes.

The Supreme Court makes an appearance in this history of the Supreme Court, which takes about 125 pages.

The first part of this book is dedicated to a history of Colonial America law and the development of the Constitution. These are topics that have been covered in approximately 64,000 other books.

When the Supreme Court finally shows up, it is a history of the kind that involves chest-beating, hairshirt-wearing, self-loathing, and hand-wringing. It's not worth bothering with.

To expand on this, one could say that the Supreme Court's role in history is complex and often overlooked. The early chapters on Colonial America law and the Constitution provide important context, but they may seem repetitive given the numerous other books on the subject.

The description of the Supreme Court's history as chest-beating and self-loathing suggests a certain tone or perspective that may not be to everyone's liking.

Perhaps a more in-depth analysis of the Court's decisions and their impact on society would have been more engaging.

Overall, while the book may have some interesting aspects, it may not be the most comprehensive or captivating history of the Supreme Court.

This book was an outstanding read.

Peter Irons delves into remarkable detail regarding the individuals who molded the U.S. Constitution, its diverse interpretations, and the decisions that have sculpted our democracy.

Structured chronologically from the arrival of the first settlers until approximately 1990, the book expounds upon dozens of opinions while casting a critical gaze on the personalities and social conditions that led to these cases.

The Marshall court's display of power, the Four Horsemen who dogged FDR, the Warren Court and its momentous expansion of rights - all leap off the page and into the imagination.

It felt essential to read, to learn about, and to appreciate. I was completely enthralled by the language and its accessibility.

This book is brimming with interesting tidbits and commentary about periods of American History that are often overlooked.

Before reading this book, I had no recollection of what Dred Scott was or why Plessy v Ferguson was significant.

After reading, I have developed an interest in the current activities of the Supreme Court, its recent rulings, its members, and so on.

It has kindled a greater interest in US history, policy-making, law, and activism.

I not only recommend this book but also beseech you to read it.

The wealth of information contained within has been masterfully interwoven to form a captivating narrative about the profound changes American society has endured.

Reflected in our laws is our national character, a compilation of beliefs that have defined who and what is ultimately American (and who is not).

The judges who shaped that character merit our attention, and the plaintiffs who have challenged the status quo time and again deserve to be remembered for their acts of courage.

A long read, but a worthwhile one.

While the author admits in his Introduction that he is a “liberal” on a large number of social issues, he asserts that he is a “true conservative” when it comes to “the enduring principles of liberty and equality.” He believes the Constitution is a “living document” and was framed as such by the founders. He contends that “the genius of the Constitution rests not in any static meaning it may have had in a world that is dead and gone, but in the adaptability of its great principles to cope with current problems and current needs.”

Yet throughout his text, he bemoans the result of this attitude. He shows how politics and the current sentiments of the times led to terribly wrong conclusions and decisions. The outcome is that throughout the history of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has become another legislative and executive entity ruling by fiat. By these actions, we have become what the author believes the founding fathers had wished to avoid – a nation ruled by men and their sentiments, rather than a nation ruled by law.

Had they early on been strict constructionists and left to Congress and the President those responsibilities, the author believes we would have been better off. Even so, it is a good ramp through the history of the Constitution and how we have been ruled by those in charge of its interpretation through the period it encompasses (up to 2008). I recommend it.

Amazing book! It is truly a remarkable piece of work that is filled to the brim with the most fascinating behind-the-scenes information. This is the kind of content that you can never hope to read in a legal decision. The author has done an outstanding job of delving deep into the subject matter and uncovering all the hidden details and secrets. It's like opening a door to a whole new world of knowledge and understanding. Every page is filled with valuable insights and interesting anecdotes that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Whether you're a legal professional or just someone who is interested in learning more about the law, this book is an absolute must-read. It will change the way you think about legal decisions and give you a whole new perspective on the legal system.

It took me almost 7 years to the day to get through this one!

So, needless to say, it was rarely my first choice when I reached to grab something to read.

This book is a very good primer on the Supreme Court.

The author has done a thorough research and written it in a well-structured manner.

However, if you already have a pretty good background knowledge of landmark Supreme Court cases, as I do because of my whole lawyer career choice, it may not be super exciting for you.

Nevertheless, it still provides valuable insights and details that can enhance one's understanding of the Supreme Court and its significance in the legal system.

Overall, it is a worthwhile read for those who are interested in learning about the Supreme Court, especially for those who are new to the subject.

A good collection of important supreme court cases has been presented.

Irons' bias was indeed present, yet it wasn't imposed upon the reader as he was extremely transparent about it.

This isn't very light reading, but I believe it's a good read nevertheless.

I discovered that the second half was more interesting as these subjects were more recent and widely known.

However, the classic cases were all there, just as interesting as ever.

Overall, I would rate it 4 stars.

This collection offers a comprehensive look at significant supreme court cases, covering both the old and the new.

The transparency regarding the author's bias adds an element of authenticity to the work.

Despite not being the easiest read, it provides valuable insights into the legal system and the evolution of important legal decisions.

Whether one is interested in the classic cases or the more recent ones, this collection has something to offer.

It's a great resource for those who want to learn more about the supreme court and its impact on society.

I purchased this particular book at the commencement of my very first semester in law school. I had the thought that it would be an excellent idea to obtain an overall understanding of the major decisions made by the Supreme Court. Additionally, it would be a bonus if I could get that overview from a progressive point of view.

Well, indeed I did get an overview, and it was from a progressive perspective too. This happens to be the first popular book on Supreme Court history that I have read. So, it's rather difficult for me to assert whether all such books are written in such a dry manner. But seriously, my constitutional law casebook has a lot more pizzazz.

The book is quite comprehensive. It encompasses every single case that one needs to know about if they are interested in individual rights, starting from Dred Scott all the way to Rasul v. Bush. Nevertheless, I'm a law enthusiast and yet it took me several months to finally complete this one. Then again, when I return home at night, the very last thing I desire to do is to read more about interstate commerce and labor.

Great book!

It outlines numerous cases, some well-known and others relatively unknown, providing insightful details about the litigants themselves. However, what makes it even more interesting is its analysis of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and the political context surrounding many of its decisions and the appointments of its members.

The book does an excellent job of explaining the history of the Court and the background of the justices who compose it. It offers a comprehensive view of how the Court has evolved over time and the factors that have influenced its decisions.

This book is truly a great read. At the end of it, I found myself wishing it had been published in 2015 instead of 2006. Since Professor Irons wrote this book, there have been many fascinating changes in both the composition of the Court and public policy. For example, marriage equality has been achieved, the Affordable Care Act has had a significant impact, there have been important cases regarding GTMO detainees, and even some interesting criminal justice reforms, such as the state-level legalization of marijuana, have taken place.

These developments highlight the need for an updated analysis of the Court and its role in shaping American society. Nevertheless, this book remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the Supreme Court and its influence on our nation.

Allison told me that I have to start rating my books. So, I said fine, for 2023, I will do it.

This book was good. However, I wish it were updated more recently. Obviously, things have changed a great deal since 2005. It really made me mad to read about the Rehnquist Court. Ahhh yes, Justice Rehnquist, a man who argued for keeping Plessy v. Ferguson and still became Chief Justice. Go America! And also, the Roberts Court.

It's quite astonishing to think about the decisions and actions that took place during those times. The legal landscape has evolved, and it would be beneficial to have a more up-to-date perspective on these matters. Despite its age, the book still managed to provide some valuable insights and引发了一些深刻的思考. I look forward to rating more books in the future and sharing my thoughts with others.

**Original Article**: This is a short article. It is about a simple topic. It can be easily understood.

**Expanded Article**: This is a relatively short article.

It focuses on a rather simple topic.

The content presented here is such that it can be easily understood by the readers.

There are no complex jargon or convoluted ideas that might pose a challenge to comprehension.

The simplicity of the topic allows for a straightforward exploration and explanation.

Whether you are a beginner or someone with a basic understanding, you will find this article accessible and engaging.

Read by Phil.

This piece of writing contains good material.

However, it is rather difficult to read due to the numerous typos present.

The presence of these errors makes it a bit of a struggle for the reader to fully understand and engage with the content.

It's a pity because the underlying ideas and information seem to have potential.

If only the author had taken the time to proofread and correct the mistakes, it could have been a much more enjoyable and effective read.

As it stands, the reader has to constantly try to decipher the intended meaning, which can be quite distracting.

Nonetheless, with a bit of effort and some careful editing, this could be transformed into a high-quality piece of work.

Hopefully, the author will take the necessary steps to improve the readability of this article and make the most of the good material it contains.