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on January 27, 2017
This book is not as good as Toobin's Nine.
I found that the subject matter was not as well researched as Nine.
He also doesn't come off as professional as in Nine. For instance, he attacks Alito way too often. I found his comment on Scalia, however, moving from extreme conservative to ranting and raving angry man to be right on. He also praises Obama way too much. Because his book is not as balanced as Nine, and clearly liberally leaning, it doesn't appear as professional.
For instance, if he's going to attack Alito so much (and I'm not a conservative), then he needs to balance it also with a number of problems Sotomayor has made on the bench as well. Otherwise,t he piece comes off as a Democratic propaganda piece.
Hopefully, his piece on the Trump court will be better.
I found that the subject matter was not as well researched as Nine.
He also doesn't come off as professional as in Nine. For instance, he attacks Alito way too often. I found his comment on Scalia, however, moving from extreme conservative to ranting and raving angry man to be right on. He also praises Obama way too much. Because his book is not as balanced as Nine, and clearly liberally leaning, it doesn't appear as professional.
For instance, if he's going to attack Alito so much (and I'm not a conservative), then he needs to balance it also with a number of problems Sotomayor has made on the bench as well. Otherwise,t he piece comes off as a Democratic propaganda piece.
Hopefully, his piece on the Trump court will be better.
on September 17, 2016
Instinctively, I knew that much of what Toobin describes was going on behind the scenes as well as right in front of us. But to read the history and context of little known rulings that laid the groundwork for major reversals and rulings, really gave it a frightening perspective. When big corporate $'s can not only buy our legislative branch and executive branch (which I feel we've all begrudgingly come to accept), that's frightening enough. But when those big corporate $'s and politics impact our Supreme Court, then we have truly opened a Pandora's box that I fear can never be closed.
on August 18, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised to discover the scope of this book, which uses the botched oath of office in 2009 only as a jumping off point. Somehow I thought it was going to be almost a book of presidential trivia about oaths and inaugurations, but I couldn't quite imagine there's enough material to fill a book. But I trust Jeffrey Toobin to write cogent arguments on any theme, so I picked up the book.
I am particularly grateful for the insights into the Heller decision, but overall his description of President Obama's own legal perspective, and the evolving relationship with the Court through his first term is a very helpful first draft of history. Jeffrey Toobin is among the best of our legal observers.
I am particularly grateful for the insights into the Heller decision, but overall his description of President Obama's own legal perspective, and the evolving relationship with the Court through his first term is a very helpful first draft of history. Jeffrey Toobin is among the best of our legal observers.
on August 15, 2016
Very insightful book. Excellent follow-on to his earlier "The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court"
on July 8, 2016
Toobin is a partisan, not a journalist. Nothing wrong with that; if your politics match his you'll glow with satisfaction, and if they differ, you'll burn with disdain; both very satisfying emotions. Only if you are interested in a dispassionate discussion of facts will you be disappointed. For a far better, far more informative discussion of the Roberts court, see Tribe and Matz _Uncertain Justice_.
on July 7, 2016
Toobin's writing about the Supreme Court is always well worth reading, and this book is no exception. It traces the difficult relationship between President Obama and the Court from its ill-starred beginning to the ambiguous upholding of most of the Affordable Care Act in 2013. At the beginning, of course, Chief Justice Roberts made mistakes in administering the President's oath of office, and the process had to be repeated. And at the end, the Chief Justice astonished many observers by voting to uphold most of the provisions of the ACA. Many felt that this showed an unexpected liberal side to the Chief, but Toobin argues that he was still playing a conservative game, but in a long term context. The book is elegantly organized, basically chronologically but featuring one justice and one issue in turn. The short biographies of the justices are illuminating and very helpful, as is the review of the major cases that came before the court.
The book is also strongly opinionated -- moreso than I expected. He argues forcefully that Roberts came to the court with a "conservative" agenda in mind that was at the root the opposite of conservative. The Roberts court, in his view, was on a mission to overturn much of the law settled by Supreme Court decisions from the New Deal on. Toobin argues this compellingly, and argues that it was a radical rather than a conservative approach. I found his arguments convincing, but his political views are in line with my own. A more conservative -- or more Republican -- reader might find the arguments less convincing. Whether or not you agree, however, this book is well worth reading, both informative and thought provoking.
The book is also strongly opinionated -- moreso than I expected. He argues forcefully that Roberts came to the court with a "conservative" agenda in mind that was at the root the opposite of conservative. The Roberts court, in his view, was on a mission to overturn much of the law settled by Supreme Court decisions from the New Deal on. Toobin argues this compellingly, and argues that it was a radical rather than a conservative approach. I found his arguments convincing, but his political views are in line with my own. A more conservative -- or more Republican -- reader might find the arguments less convincing. Whether or not you agree, however, this book is well worth reading, both informative and thought provoking.
on June 29, 2016
Once again Jeffrey Toobin strikes gold in THE OATH. After reading THE NINE I could not resist reading THE OATH. In essence, THE OATH is the successor to the first book - a continuation of his history of the Supreme Court. Toobin goes about his explanation of the major constitutional issues of the day in a clear and insightful manner. He breaks down the issues so that the reader can clearly understand them. Having just read Toobins chapters on the abortion rights cases, I was better able to understand a recent ruling of the court. These two books have really peaked my interest in the Supreme Court.
For all those interested in Supreme Court history and the lives of the individual justice, this is a must read. Toobin also brings to life the manner in which judges are appointed and how one decision, one minor factor can be the deciding factor as to whether or not a person gets a seat on the high court.
I an only look forward to Toobin's next book. And if I had to guess, I would guess that it will be on Justice Scalia.
For all those interested in Supreme Court history and the lives of the individual justice, this is a must read. Toobin also brings to life the manner in which judges are appointed and how one decision, one minor factor can be the deciding factor as to whether or not a person gets a seat on the high court.
I an only look forward to Toobin's next book. And if I had to guess, I would guess that it will be on Justice Scalia.
on June 29, 2016
All right, you are correct. I love Jeffrey Toobin.
But what he does here is explain, really explain, the differences between both sides of the 5-4 sides and why those on each side mostly vote the way they do.
Those readers and politically oriented on the 'procedural' side will surely rate an excellent researched and thought out analysis as 'lousy.'
But, those readers are also the 'Fair and Balanced' people who want to give the 'two-plus-two-is-not-four' argument equal time with the truth.
But what he does here is explain, really explain, the differences between both sides of the 5-4 sides and why those on each side mostly vote the way they do.
Those readers and politically oriented on the 'procedural' side will surely rate an excellent researched and thought out analysis as 'lousy.'
But, those readers are also the 'Fair and Balanced' people who want to give the 'two-plus-two-is-not-four' argument equal time with the truth.
