Storm Center, Sixth Edition [Paperback]

David M. O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393978966 | ISBN-13: 978-0393978964 | Publication Date: June 2002 | Edition: 6th

For courses on judicial process, the Supreme Court, constitutional law, and American government. With the retirements of several liberal justices, the Supreme Court has taken historic steps under the leadership of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. This new edition takes account of these significant changes and how they affect the Court and American society. David M. O'Brien again shows students how the Supreme Court is a "storm center" of political controversy—"the least dangerous branch" of government where personality, politics, law, and justice come together to shape and often change drastically the society in which they live.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

With the abortion and school desegregation decisions, O'Brien contends, the Supreme Court has ceased to be Hamilton's "least dangerous branch." Increasingly activist, it has in fact become a "storm center" of national politics. Ever mindful of our judicial past, O'Brien likewise finds the Court is markedly more bureaucratic. His lucid text descibes the inner rules and proceduresthe cost of filings, screening procedures, certiorari petitions, the justices' give-and-take negotiations, their tentative votes and maneuverings, the oral arguments, the growing number of dissents and plurality opinions. O'Brien finds the Court rife with heated personal clashes. Rather than above the battle, it is highly sensitive to external pressures, from the President, Congress, public opinion. This is an illuminating, first-rate primer for those seeking to understand the workings of the Court. Milton Cantor, History Dept., Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A very useful introduction to the Court, well-liked by students for its lively style, anecdotes, and political acumen. -- Carol Nackenoff, Swarthmore College

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Product Details

• Paperback: 449 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc (Np); 6th edition (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393978966
• ISBN-13: 978-0393978964
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,088,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get Acquainted with the Supreme Court, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Storm Center: The Supreme Court in American Politics (Paperback)

If you know only a bare minimum about the Supreme Court, or know a lot, this is an excellent book to supplement that knowledge. It is both an excellent narrative about some of the biggest battles between the Justices themselves and an informational text explaining the ins-and-outs of how a case actually comes to be decided by the Court. All in all, it is well worth reading.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful insight into the court..., December 3, 2000

By 

"craver" (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storm Center: The Supreme Court in American Politics (Paperback)

This is an excellent examination into the history of the court and the politics that led to its current make-up. O'Brien does a good job making this an interesting and often riviting historical examination.

This has become a valuable tool in my personal and educational understanding of today's court. With the public eye close to the court these days (Presidential Election) the individual and personal examinations that O'Brien has provided on the court has helped me to make my own judgements and predictions as to possible decisions. An excellent purchase for the beginner or well seasoned court watcher.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and informative, July 10, 2004

By 

Pen ID "reviewer" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storm Center, Sixth Edition (Paperback)

As an undergraduate student studying constitutional law, I found this book an excellent introduction into the court politics. O'Brien writes and organizes his book in a coherent way, allowing for the maximum material absorption coupled with intriguing facts and footnotes. "Storm Center" reveals the court as a human and error-prone institution evolving over time into a kind of super-legislation, becoming at the same time both more independent and intertwined in regard to the other two branches.

Overall, an enjoyable read for anyone willing to peak at the kitchen of law.