The Supreme Court

I was surprised to read that some readers found this book a dry read. On the contrary, I would propose that Chief Justice Rehnquist is a wonderful writer who provides a short masterpiece on the history of the Court.Two perspectives on the history of the Court create the primary structure of the book:1) Rehnquist reviews specific cases in chronological order that have created the most imporant body of law used by the Supreme Court and required to be followed by the lower courts as they conduct their appellate work. He weaves in the personalities of the Court and sometimes of the Presidents who impact the Court, along with the historical perspective driving these issues by using a narrative structure. We are told stories rather than being forced to review lists of dates and people. This portion of the book also describes how the Court accepts cases through the eyes of a young court clerk, William Rehnquist himself.2) There are a couple of chapters in the back of the book that explains how the court conducts its work, such as oral argument and how the court decides cases and delegates the writing of rulings and opinions. While interesting to read Rehnquist's perspecive, Bob Woodward's "The Brethern: Inside the Supreme Court" provides a more complete picture of the inner-workings of the Court.Justice Rehnquist surprised me with the lack of ideology contained in this book. As opposed to Mr. Gingrich's new book that is basically a propaganda tract rife with deceptions, Rehnquist provides a mostly honest and fair assessment of not only the perspective of conservatives like him, but also the liberal side. Rehnquist, like Kenneth Starr's "First Among Equals", can be counted on to provide an accurate protrayal of the issues worked out by previous courts.Mr. Rehnquist also surprised me with his writing talent, while his opinions have always been first rate reading, they are those of an advocate for a certain position which filter-out competing positions. This book is truly a well-written, honest look at the history of the court; Rehnquist provides respectful commentary of competing positions. This book is one of my primary resources I've continuously used over the years when I require some insight into a past case, court, or justice.

This concise history of the Supreme Court will make you a competent student of the Court in an easy weekend read. No, you won't understand all of the fine points of the U.S. Constitution. Instead, you'll get a 2-century history of the key developments in the history of the Court, and its most famous decisions, from the perspective of one of its keenest observers - the late Chief Justice himself.Chief Justice Rehnquist writes in a style which surprised me. This is not the tedious logical construction found in so many of the Court's opinions - rather, this book reads like a good novel, that occasionally will detour into a detailed explanation of a key point.Rehnquist betrays his own fine sense of the political and social context underlying the Court's decisions - he frankly discusses the cases and the great social issues of the day that are reflected many of the opinions. Although sometimes dismissed by his own political opponents as an ideologue, Rehnquist demonstrates that he has a deft touch in pragmatism - at least when it comes to observing the functioning of the Court prior to his own service. Even if Rehnquist would be more of an originalist, he betrays an appreciation and admiration for the significant jurists, such as Marshall and Taney, who took the Court down its path away from the founders' expressed intent, while pointing out the consequences of the tough choices made by the Court's leaders.The writing is approachable without being condescending. It would make a good companion book to any study of the Constitution and the Court, particularly for non-lawyers looking for a book that doesn't rely on too much legal jargon. However, for those of you who already know both Madison and Marbury, which Buckley sued Valeo, and why sick chickens matter to the Constitution, this book will delight you. However, I suspect you have already found it before I did.

Chief Justice Renquist gives an excellent historical perspective of the Supreme court and its evolution. Easily understood by the lay person wih many interesting anacdotes to keep it moving.

Mere hours after submitting a review for a book that hadn't yet arrived.After receiving the book, I am more than happy with the purchase.

Nice review of Court history and Justices that served on the Court.Really enjoyed the steps in the journey from Supreme Court clerk to Chief Justice that Chief Justice Rehnquist took me on.

I enjoyed this book, but it was not what I expected. I was expecting more of a history of the key cases decided by the Supreme Court, and there is some of that here. However, it was mostly about the Justices who have served on the Court, and about how the Court does its business. If you buy it, as I did, hoping for his analysis of key cases from the Court's past, you will be disappointed. If instead you are looking for descriptions of Court personalities and operations, I think you will be satisfied.

I’m reading it for class and learning so much about the Supreme Court! I recommend that if you want an inside look on how the supreme works now and back then, you should read this book.

I didn't like it or dislike it. Nor had I read in its entirety. However, it seems like a good basic intro written in nonlegal English that should be comprehensible to the layman. There isn't much legal mumbo jumbo here. Just straightforward explanations. 3/5

O livro é bem denso. Puxa para o autobiográfico, sobre a experiência pessoal do autor desde quando começou a servir como auxiliar de gabinete até sua presidência na corte. A divisão e comentários aos julgamentos estão divididos por presidência da corte. Uma abordagem diferente das que já li até o momento sobre a SCOTUS. Um livro muito bem escrito, mas mais voltado aqueles que buscam uma descrição mais visual da experiência do autor na corte.

Ordered new, received old, very old. Very Disappointed. The book is good but disappointed with the seller.

Love this book

Excellently written, a very interesting and entertaining book, both a history of the court and a discussion of its workings

Ohne nähere Kenntnis der angelsächischen Rechtssprechung, common law und equity law usw. vorausgesetzt, vermittelt der Autor einen erhellenden Einblick in deren Geschichte und Bedeutung für die Gegenwart und Vergangenheit der USA. Der Ton bleibt verständlich, aber nicht niveaulos. Eine gewisse Leidensfähigkeit bzgl. der Rechtssprechung wird vorausgesetzt. Damit sind die diversen Winkelzüge und Feinheiten gemeint, die dem Laien fremd erscheinen mögen, aber dem versierten Kenner des Rechts nicht fremd sind.