I didn't find that I agreed with all the conclusions that the author makes about more recent Supreme Court decisions or at least the reasoning for them.

However, I am not a lawyer and don't always follow some of the legal reasoning presented.

The actual historical information and brief biographies or background information on important cases was interesting.

It provided me with a better understanding of the context in which these decisions were made.

Although I may not fully grasp the legal intricacies, I can still appreciate the significance of these cases and their impact on society.

Perhaps with further study and research, I will be able to form more informed opinions about the Supreme Court's decisions and the reasoning behind them.

Overall, the article offered a valuable perspective on the topic, even if I didn't agree with everything it said.

I have a profound love for this book. I have read it not just once or twice, but three or four times.

This is because it serves as a powerful reminder to me. In our country, there have been periods when unjust and immoral things have unfortunately fallen upon the heads of our people.

However, as Martin Luther King so firmly believed and insisted, the path towards justice is indeed long, yet it is an unstoppable force.

Sometimes, it becomes difficult to remember this when a significant number of people who are in charge of our country seem to want to restrict the rights of those who lack their own voices.

But it is important to note that those people are constantly on the wrong side of history.

For this, I am truly grateful to Peter Irons for providing me with these occasional reminders that help me stay grounded and hopeful in the face of adversity.

His work has had a profound impact on my perspective and understanding of the importance of justice and equality.

Great Courses are always remarkable.

This account of the Supreme Court was not only sobering but, if you'll excuse the expression, rather challenging.

It can perhaps be best encapsulated by a quote (paraphrased) which states that "judges pay attention to elections".

The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the legal and political landscape of a country.

The decisions made by the judges can have far-reaching consequences and impact various aspects of society.

The fact that judges are influenced by elections adds an interesting dimension to the whole process.

It shows that the judicial system is not entirely immune to the political climate and the will of the people.

This story serves as a reminder that the Supreme Court is a complex institution with its own set of dynamics and challenges.

Understanding these aspects is essential for a better appreciation of the role and significance of the Supreme Court in a democratic society.

For those with an interest in the Supreme Court, this book is a must-read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not only for its engaging tone but also for the in-depth history behind the cases it presents. While most people are familiar with landmark cases like Plessy v Ferguson or Brown v Board of Education, few know the full backstory of these and other cases that have come before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

Mr. Irons does not shy away from revealing his bias, and it is clear which side of the spectrum he leans towards. However, I found this refreshing. He is upfront about his views, yet he is well-informed. You can easily understand how he arrived at his opinions, and I do not fault him for that. Instead of forcing his perspective on the reader, he seems to be guiding us. It never felt overbearing to me.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that it allows you to understand the struggles that women, African Americans, the GLBT community, and Asian people have endured to reach the present day. He vividly描绘s what it would have been like to live in those eras and experience these events. Most of the time, it makes me grateful to be living in the early 21st century. Another fascinating element that runs through the book, alongside the cases, is the insights into the Presidents' choices of justices and the discussion of the judicial philosophies of those who left a lasting legacy. This, for me, was the most captivating part.

Given the wide range of cases that the SCOTUS has heard, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of environmental cases discussed - in fact, there were none. Nevertheless, this book is an excellent introduction to the world of the Supreme Court. I can understand why law students may not always enjoy Constitutional Law.

A tour of the significant decisions in the Supreme Court, commencing from the post-Revolutionary War era and extending up until around 2004, encompassing decisions regarding the treatment of enemy combatants during the Global War on Terror (GWOT), offers a fascinating exploration.

It is truly a pity that I couldn't allocate more time to this remarkable book. The extensive discussions on the evolving perspectives of freedom of speech were particularly enlightening. Understanding what constituted a "clear and present danger" and which forms of speech had an "implied" danger provided valuable insights into the complex nature of this fundamental right.

These decisions not only shaped the legal landscape but also had far-reaching implications for society as a whole. By delving into these historical rulings, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance that the Supreme Court has had to strike between protecting individual freedoms and safeguarding national security.

Overall, this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of law, history, and politics.

This is a rather long book.

However, it meticulously details some of the most significant and watershed moments that occurred in the early stages of our government and judicial system.

It even includes a timely chapter dedicated to the Dred Scott decision, which was a crucial event in American history.

If you have a genuine interest in understanding the origins of our current system, this book is an excellent resource that will surely lead you to that knowledge.

It provides in-depth insights and analysis, allowing readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of how our government and judicial system have evolved over time.

Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply someone who wants to learn more about the foundation of our country, this book is definitely worth reading.

It offers a wealth of information that is both educational and engaging, making it a valuable addition to any bookshelf.

So, if you are looking for a book that can shed light on the early days of our government and judicial system, look no further than this one.

It will take you on a journey through time and help you discover the roots of our current system.

This is not a people's history.

Rather, it is much more in the vein of a great men history.

Nonetheless, it provides a good review of the ebbs and flows of the nation's highest court.

The focus here seems to be on the individuals who have played significant roles within the court system, rather than on the broader impact on the people.

Despite this, the examination of the court's history is valuable as it helps us understand the changes and developments that have occurred over time.

We can see how different decisions and events have shaped the court and influenced the nation as a whole.

While it may not be a comprehensive people's history, it does offer important insights into the workings and significance of the nation's highest court.

Perhaps in future studies, a more balanced approach could be taken to include both the great men and the people whose lives have been affected by the court's decisions.

Until then, this review serves as a useful starting point for further exploration of the court's history.

I must say, I truly relished reading this book.

The author presents a narrative history of the Supreme Court, which includes mini bios of every court justice throughout history, and of course, landmark court cases.

The text is highly engaging, and for a non-fiction book about the supreme court, it is quite a page-turner.

This book proves to be extremely useful if you require a rapid refresher course in court cases that have molded the United States over the past 200 years.

It is also beneficial if you wish to learn about those cases, are conducting a report, or simply desire a bit of interesting and not-too-light reading.

Overall, it offers a comprehensive and captivating look into the world of the Supreme Court and its significant impact on American history and society.

I really, really liked this.

I didn't have an in-depth knowledge about the Supreme Court before. And this is precisely what it is: an overview of the court's decisions set within the context of history.

At times, I felt that it became a bit vague or simply bombarded me with names. However, I understand the reason for this: it's an overview, not an in-depth exploration.

Overall, though, the discussion of the political factors influencing the decisions and the overall trends that had an impact on the court was extremely illuminating.

It provided me with a better understanding of how the Supreme Court functions and how its decisions are shaped by various historical, political, and social forces.

This overview has definitely piqued my interest and made me want to learn more about the Supreme Court and its role in American history and society.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to gain a basic understanding of the Supreme Court and its decisions.

Phenomenal overview of major cases that have shaped life in the US. This work provides a detailed look at the significant legal cases that have had a profound impact on the lives of Americans. However, it is important to note that the text definitely has a hint of bias, which may influence the reader's perception of the events. Moreover, considering it was written 20 years ago, it is likely in need of a new edition. With the passage of time, society has changed, and so have the values and perspectives. Therefore, updates are necessary to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information. Additionally, some of the vocabulary used in the original text may not be appropriate or commonly used nowadays. A revision should take into account the current language usage and make the necessary changes to make the text more accessible and engaging for modern readers.

I really liked this book a great deal.

It provided me with an excellent overview of the cases that have played a significant role in shaping the nation. What's more, it did so in a highly readable manner.

Previously, someone who reviewed the book mentioned that they found it dry. However, that was definitely not the case for me.

Anyone who is seeking an easily understandable history of the Court and its decisions should find this book to be extremely helpful.

I typically don't collect books. Instead, I read them and then pass them on. But in this case, I think I will keep this particular book for future reference.

It offers valuable insights and information that I believe will be useful to me in the long run.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the history of the Court and its impact on the nation.

It is a great read that combines knowledge and entertainment in a seamless way.

To begin with, this book was not what I initially expected or hoped to discover.

The truth is that it actually proved to be something even better.

Based on its title and description, I was anticipating a book that would narrate the story of the real individuals whose names form the captions in the landmark cases of the SCOTUS.

The book did indeed provide me with some of the backstory for many of these cases, and it offered a whole lot more than I had not been expecting.

I have no idea how he accomplished it, but the author was able to fill in a significant amount of background on the justices, including who appointed them, why they were appointed, and how.

It even managed, somehow, to penetrate the secrecy that SCOTUS is renowned for, revealing how the voting on many of these crucial cases was managed and manipulated.

I found the book captivating as a review of the history of our country through the evolution of SCOTUS decisions.

This is a somewhat lengthy book and is definitely not for the casual reader.

In fact, if I have one criticism, it is the inclusion at the beginning of a history of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

I cannot fathom anyone desiring to read this book who isn't already adequately aware of that history. It was unnecessary.

If the author felt that some case required historical illumination from the convention, then a couple of paragraphs could have been added here and there as needed.

Another criticism, or actually a disappointment, is that the book concludes during the Clinton administration in 1992, over 20 years ago.

Hopefully, the author will update this highly enjoyable treatment of the history of the Supreme Court before too long.

On the whole, I found this book more enlightening than any Con Law class I took in law school.