The Supreme Court [Paperback]

William H. Rehnquist (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0375708618 | ISBN-13: 978-0375708619 | Edition: Rev Upd

This new edition of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist’s classic book offers a lively and accessible history of the Supreme Court. His engaging writing illuminates both the high and low points in the Court's history, from Chief Justice Marshall’s dominance of the Court during the early nineteenth century through the landmark decisions of the Warren Court. Citing cases such as the Dred Scott decision and Roosevelt's Court-packing plan, Rehnquist makes clear that the Court does not operate in a vacuum, that the justices are unavoidably influenced by their surroundings, and that their decisions have real and lasting impacts on our society.

The public often hears little about the Supreme Court until decisions are handed down. Here, Rehnquist reveals its inner workings--the process by which cases are chosen, the nature of the conferences where decisions are made, and the type of debates that take place. With grace and wit, this incisive history gives a dynamic and informative account of the most powerful court in the nation and how it has shaped the direction America has taken.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist sets a simple goal for himself: "This book is designed to convey to the interested, informed layman, as well as lawyers who do not specialize in constitutional law, a better understanding of the role of the Supreme Court in American government." He succeeds fabulously. The Supreme Court, an updated version of a book originally published in 1987, is a succinct and readable account of the Court's past and present. Rehnquist avoids getting bogged down in the minutia of particular cases, even as he deftly covers the details of several extremely important ones, such as Marbury v. Madison and Dred Scott v. Sandford.

The most interesting parts of the book explain how the current Court goes about its business. In these fascinating chapters, Rehnquist consistently includes nifty touches, such as how his law clerks decide who gets to work on which cases and the strict seating protocol that is followed when the nine justices--and nobody else--sit in conference to discuss their votes. If there's a knock on the door, it's the most junior justice who must answer. They don't really discuss cases at all during these meetings, but rather state their views. "I do not believe that conference discussion changes many votes," writes the Chief Justice. Oral arguments, on the other hand, are different: "In a significant minority of the cases in which I have heard oral argument, I have left the bench feeling differently about a case than I did when I came to the bench."

Rehnquist briefly lays out his own theory of jurisprudence in a short concluding chapter: "Go beyond the language of the Constitution, and the meaning that may be fairly ascribed to the language, and into the consciences of individual judges, is to embark on a journey that is treacherous indeed." Yet The Supreme Court largely skips comment on existing controversies, such as abortion rights, race-based policies, or the outcome of the 2000 presidential election. The book is exactly what Rehnquist promises: An accessible and enlightening introduction to a vital institution. --John J. Miller --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

As the recent decision concerning the 2000 Presidential election shows, the U.S. Supreme Court remains a vital institution that decides key political and social controversies. Rehnquist, chief justice of the United States Supreme Court since 1986 and associate justice from 1972 to 1986, gives lay readers a clear understanding of U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the manner used to decide cases. This substantial revision of the first edition (1987) provides interesting new insights about previous Supreme Court behavior and some of their major decisions, such as Marbury v. Madison (1803); Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857); and Ex parte Milligan (1866). He also provides an excellent analysis of how and whether the Court reflects the temper of the times. Rehnquist adds two new chapters, "The New Deal Court" and "The Warren Court," which provide new insights into his views about constitutional principles. An excellent work for general public libraries and for nonlawyers interested in the Supreme Court; recommended for all public libraries as well as academic libraries.
-DSteven Puro, St. Louis Univ.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Rev Upd edition (February 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375708618
• ISBN-13: 978-0375708619
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Courts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent short history of the court, April 28, 2003

By 

Thomas Stamper (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Supreme Court (Paperback)

As an introduction to the history of the Supreme Court, Justice Rehnquist's book was just what I was looking for. Not only does he give a good explanation of the personalities and issues through the ages, he also explains the experience of being a clerk on the court.

Rehnquist begins by telling the story of how he came to be a clerk for Justice Jackson in the early 1950s. He then goes back and explains the origins of the court in the 19th century. From 1800 until the Civil War, only two men were chief Justice, John Marshall and Roger Taney. Rehnquist explains why both of these men were important and how they shaped the court for generations to come.

Rehnquist then explains that the next 100 years were without an important chief justice, but many significant associate justices. This period begins with cases like Plessy v. Ferguson and ends with Brown versus the Board of Education. Rehnquist does a good job of explaining the politics behind FDR's court packing plan in the 1930s, and the Steel Case that came before the court when he was a clerk in the early 1950s.

The book ends with how the process of deciding cases happens on the Supreme Court, and how Rehnquist's experience was different as an associate justice before he became the chief.

The book works as an excellent history and an insider's view to how the court operates. It's not an in-depth book, but I don't know a single volume could accomplish that. I was very happy with what I learned in 300 pages.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who knows better than he?, February 6, 2001

By 

"futeau" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Supreme Court: A new edition of the Chief Justice's classic history (Hardcover)

No matter what your political persuasion, I think the average reader will find this a cogent, witty history of the High Court.

The Chief is a surprisingly smooth writer, and has a good ear for deliniating the chief cases in U.S. History. However, the book does really presume a familiarity with U.S. History that International readers may not have. Not the worst weakness in the world.

This is also a wonderfully appropriate gift for a gifted child with an interest in politics or jurisprudence. Just don't bring up Bush v. Gore.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughtful Introduction to the Nation's Highest Court., April 20, 2001

By 

Steven M. Couch (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Supreme Court: A new edition of the Chief Justice's classic history (Hardcover)

Chief Justice William Rehnquist presents an impressively well-written introduction to the history and the operations of the United States Supreme Court.

Beginning with the landmark case, Marbury v. Madison, Rehnquist guides the reader through a history of the Supreme Court, its notable Justices, and important cases. He traces this history through the court of Cheif Justice Earl Warren, the last Chief Justice with whom Rehnquist did not sit on the Court.

Rehnquist also sheds light on the inner workings of the Court. Topics covered include how the Court chooses which cases it will hear, what happens in the conference after the oral arguments are heard, and how opinions are written. For someone on the outside, this is perhaps the best glimpse into the most secretive of our three branches of government.

Chief Justice Rehnquist's book will astound all readers who bear even the least interest in highest court in the land through his deft handling and description of each of the topics he discusses.