Format: PaperbackChange
Price:$8.49+ Free shipping with Amazon Prime
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on August 11, 2013
Toobin writes for the New Yorker on legal issues. He has done numerous profiles and articles on the Supreme Court over the years, including an outstanding book on the Renquist Court titled "The Nine."
Woven throughout the first half of this book are snapshot biographies of the two newest justices, Sotomayor and Kagan. The subtitle of the book captures it perfectly: "The Obama White House and the Supreme Court."
Toobin covers:
(1) The botched oath on inauguration day
(2) The Lily Ledbetter Act
(3) The Citizens United Case (gets the extra attention it deserves)
(4) The arguments and decision on the Affordable Care Act
Toobin definitely sympathizes with the liberals on the court more than the conservatives and it comes out in his writing. He does have some kind words at times for Roberts and the conservatives, but the major flaw in this book is that he doesn't leave it up to the reader to decide what was right and wrong.
Nonetheless, it's a very good book.
Woven throughout the first half of this book are snapshot biographies of the two newest justices, Sotomayor and Kagan. The subtitle of the book captures it perfectly: "The Obama White House and the Supreme Court."
Toobin covers:
(1) The botched oath on inauguration day
(2) The Lily Ledbetter Act
(3) The Citizens United Case (gets the extra attention it deserves)
(4) The arguments and decision on the Affordable Care Act
Toobin definitely sympathizes with the liberals on the court more than the conservatives and it comes out in his writing. He does have some kind words at times for Roberts and the conservatives, but the major flaw in this book is that he doesn't leave it up to the reader to decide what was right and wrong.
Nonetheless, it's a very good book.
on October 29, 2012
I found this to be an informative primer on the current Supreme Court members. I came away with additions to the common layman knowledge that there are five conservatives and four liberals on the current Court. Beyond his study of the written individual opinions, Toobin reports speaking to many insiders. The result is the reader comes away with knowledge of some individual differences between the Justices on the conservative side, for example. I had read all the lower court opinions and listened to the entire argument in the health care case, so there was little new there for me beyond the confirmation that Roberts had voted to overturn on the initial vote. I would have liked more detail on the Citizens United case and history, but what was provided, particularly about the reason it was heard a second time, was informative. He included a short discussion of the Anna Nicole Smith case, from which I came away knowing virtually nothing, either because of an inadequate explanation, or perhaps because it isn't/wasn't over yet. Fortunately I didn't really care about that one. One "quote" from Justice O'Connor as she was leaving the Court was interesting, as was the review of her reason for leaving when she did (no doubt known to people who followed the news at the time). My guess is that my complaint about it not being longer with even more information is explained by the fact that insider information about the Court is held close to the vest by all involved. But overall, it was a very worthwhile book for me.
on November 2, 2012
A friend recently attended a lecture by Jeffrey Toobin on this subject and told me about the book. (Which he had not read.) I found the book to be quite enlightening about how presidential politics plays such a role in the Supreme Court. Many Americans may look to the court as being above politics, however Toobin lays out in great detail that Supreme Court Justices are not that much different from an "entry-level" district court judge in a small town. They are at the end of the day political characters themselves.
I had already read articles about how ideological opposites like Scalia and Ginsburg are actually close friends who have socialized together for years. As we approach another election in four days we realize that appointments to the court may be not too far off once again. If Obama wins and the Democrats retain the Senate, we will probably see A.) Another female B.) A minority or C.) The courts first openly gay justice. No matter the nominee, it will be somebody with deep political ties to the president and his party.
I highly recommend the book for those interested in political history and/or civics.
I had already read articles about how ideological opposites like Scalia and Ginsburg are actually close friends who have socialized together for years. As we approach another election in four days we realize that appointments to the court may be not too far off once again. If Obama wins and the Democrats retain the Senate, we will probably see A.) Another female B.) A minority or C.) The courts first openly gay justice. No matter the nominee, it will be somebody with deep political ties to the president and his party.
I highly recommend the book for those interested in political history and/or civics.
on June 1, 2014
Jeffrey Toobin once again delivers insight to the inner working of the Supreme Court. This volume covers the most recent decisions of the Court from Citizens United to their surprising vote on the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). This book reminds me of Theodore White's "Making of the President" series. What actually is behind today's headlines is often more than we think.
You clearly see the forces that shaped today's (2014) opinions. I recommend this for anyone interested in the third, but many ways most important, branch of government. And if you are not a political junkie, this book is a great read about powerful personalities and the changing chemistry of nine real people.
You clearly see the forces that shaped today's (2014) opinions. I recommend this for anyone interested in the third, but many ways most important, branch of government. And if you are not a political junkie, this book is a great read about powerful personalities and the changing chemistry of nine real people.
on December 31, 2012
I thouroghly enjoyed this book. It was written in a clear and understandable way so that non-lawyer types could understand what Mr. Toobin was writing about. Many may think that Mr. Toobin "carrys" the Democrats water, however I found the book to be quite neutral from a political standpoint. What I came away with from this book is that despite the Supreme Court's reputation as the protector of all that is fair and just, that is not often the case. Throughout its history, The SCOTUS has often enabled the legal and legislative powers to supress freedom and keep in place laws and institutions that are and were morally unjust. (Think Dred v. Scott as just one example) I found it a fast and interesting read and would recommend it.
on December 31, 2012
I found Toobin's work exceptional, and disturbing. Jeffrey writes with authority and incitefulness, allowing the spectator an insider's look -- but, as I said, disturbing. How did we (the citizenry) let our goverance, including the Supreme Court, get to this point. Enough of that. What I found most disturbing was the politicizing of the Supreme Court, and the "pedestal" that our Judges seem to have appointed for themselves. Toobin's work inspires me to work harder on creating a public support effort to improve not only our selection of Supreme Court justices, but to work even harder to improve their confirmation process.
Bill LaMarche
Bill LaMarche
on December 6, 2012
I found The Oath to be a fascinating read. Of course, I am a sucker for all things politics and government related. I really liked it gives a substantial background of each of the Supreme Court justices. Information about where they went to school, where they have lived, and their professional path to the Supreme Court.
As always, Toobin's insider information makes this book unique. There is a lot of "behind-the-scenes" information that Toobin passes on to the reader about both the Supreme Court and the Obama Administration. I don't remember being shocked by any of the information. However, it was still fun to read the details.
As always, Toobin's insider information makes this book unique. There is a lot of "behind-the-scenes" information that Toobin passes on to the reader about both the Supreme Court and the Obama Administration. I don't remember being shocked by any of the information. However, it was still fun to read the details.
on February 8, 2015
I never knew how much politics truly interested me or really how much they trickled down to affect our every-day lives. It is really very scary when you think about it! I highly recommend reading Jeffrey Toobin' s 2 books, The Nine & The Oath. Both have opened a very old but new depth of knowledge to me about how our country has changed & will continue to change through people that control the strings of our lives.
on November 16, 2012
The Oath is another of Tobin's look at the Supreme Court's make up and the juxtipostion of the justices and their ideolpogical postures as it builds to their opinion regarding the consitutionality of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.
While it is well written and at times riviting its real impact is the sublety by which outcomes are reached.
I recommend it as an introspective "look-see" not as thrilling show stopper. Certainly valuable reading for getting a better understanding of both the constitution and how the framers used great sophistication in balancing the three branches of our government.
While it is well written and at times riviting its real impact is the sublety by which outcomes are reached.
I recommend it as an introspective "look-see" not as thrilling show stopper. Certainly valuable reading for getting a better understanding of both the constitution and how the framers used great sophistication in balancing the three branches of our government.
