Customer Reviews

Holmes and Frankfurter: Their Correspondence, 1912-1934

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is comprised of 373 letters [243 by Holmes; 130 by Frankfurter] exchanged between 1912 and 1934. This is an extremely significant period in the lives of the two correspondents, and the letters are highly interesting. The editors have written an invaluable introduction of some 22 pages discussing the letters, their authors, the many efforts to develop a OWH biography, and the migration of Holmes' papers after his death. The letters themselves cover a variety of topics: the judicial role; socialism; the philosophy of judging; legal history; and of course discussion of some very important cases. A number of individuals are mentioned; these comments are among the most revealing insights into the authors. Among others, OWH and FF tackle Charles Beard, Laski, Brandeis, Learned Hand, Pollock, Wigmore, Keynes, John Zane, Hohfeld, W.W. Buckland, Cardozo, Roscoe Pound, Lord Bryce, and various Supreme Court Justices. Holmes' talent for the pithy expression is well in evidence. For example, he refers to the Clayton Act as "legislative humbug. And of course, Holmes being Holmes, there is discussion of many important books and ideas he was encountering. Interestingly, the editors also believe it likely [as do Urofsky and Levy in their edited collection of Brandeis/FF letters also reviewed on Amazon] that FF destroyed a number of his letters to Holmes after the Justice's death. OWH himself had suggested that FF destroy Holmes' letters during the correspondence. Fortunately, for all of us, this is one instruction FF did not (at least) fully execute. As always, Holmes demonstrates flair, humor, insight, and great knowledge in his letters--he is one of our finest contributors of important letters. This 278 page book has a helpful bibliography, and has been nicely printed by University Press of New England. A book of lasting importance beyond question.