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Thurman Arnold: A Biography

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Thurman Arnold (1891-1969) is a rather interesting figure we don't hear much about today; those of us in Washington, however, are constantly reminded of him due to the "Thurman Arnold Building" which houses the law firm of Arnold & Porter. Until now, those interested in Arnold were limited to his autobiography ("Fair Fights and Foul") and a collection of his letters ("Voltaire and the Cowboy"). That limitation has now been corrected with the publication of this informative biography.

The book covers all stages of Arnold's life, accomplishments, and personal involvements. That is, it traces his early years in Wyoming, his education at Princeton and Harvard Law, initial practice in Chicago, his return to Wyoming and his transition thereafter to Dean of the University of West Virginia College of Law. The book hits is stride when it follows Arnold to Yale Law School and his period interacting with the legal realists. It also does a solid job of discussing Arnold's two master works: "The Symbols of Government" and "The Folklore of Capitalism"--both important books not often mentioned today.

Arnold's service in the New Deal also is discussed, particularly his 5-year tenure as Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust. The author, who apparently teaches antitrust, has presented a very professional analysis of Arnold's career and contributions to the development of antitrust law in that position as a "trustbuster." Eventually, Arnold moves on to a short stint at the D.C. Circuit. The highpoint of book is when Arnold joins Paul Porter and Abe Fortas to build Arnold, Fortas and Porter. The early government security program cases are discussed, as is the evolution and growth of the firm. Surprisingly, there is not that much about Abe Fortas in the book, since Arnold is the author's central concern. The poignant, but unsuccessful, effort of Arnold to facilitate the re-entry of Fortas into the firm after his Supreme Court resignation is well handled, as are Arnold's final years.

The author has done extensive research; his 34 pages of notes are highly valuable for those interested in more research on Arnold. Also included are three appendices dealing with Arnold's D.C. Circuit decisions; his principal writings; and a selected bibliography. At about 200 pages (not counting notes), the book is a lean but yet comprehensive biography of Arnold that can be read relatively quickly and always with pleasure.

Mr. Waller is to be commended for bringing to his labor and hence the reader a sense of balanced realism and kind good humor that enlivens our review of the life of the unique Wyoming iconoclast who was Thurman Arnold. Mr. Waller's prose, beyond the story of the life and events he recounts, is also important as a fine "how to" example of thorough research and honest portrayal of a subject and his times.

Thurman W. Arnold III

[...]

I read this biography shortly after I'd completed "Titan" about John D. Rockefeller. It was interesting to see how two men on different sides of the antitrust issue grew up and what influenced them. This book is well-written and very accessible. I highly recommend it as a good introduction to law students and anybody else who is interested in antitrust law.