The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court by Jeffrey Toobin Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court
Book Review: The Personalities Who Mete Justice
Summary: 5 Stars
I consider myself to be a reasonably educated American. I have a reasonably good working knowledge of the branches of government. Still, of the three, I would have to say that my knowledge of the judicial branch is the weakest. In theory, I know about the function of the Supreme Court, but I knew very little about the specifics of the people and the workings of the Court now, other than tidbits I'd pick up from the news and magazines. Now, having finished Mr. Toobin's excellent book, I feel like I know much more.
The Nine is not a comprehensive history of the Supreme Court. Instead, it is a look at the current make-up of the Court, particularly in the transition from the Rehnquist Court to the Roberts Court. It blends information on the history and personalities of various justices, a look at important rulings in their various tenures, and offers insight into how the Court might trend in the future. In laying this before us, Toobin gives us a nice overview of the last fifty years or so of American jurisprudence.
In particular, I feel I have a much better sense of these people who have shaped our culture in such powerful ways. Of course, by nature of their impact, some personalities stand out more than other. Sandra Day O'Connor, due to her position as a powerful swing vote on the Court, seems to come through most powerfully, though I feel Rehnquist, Scalia, Thomas and Kennedy are also much clearer to me. I also have to admit, I enjoyed learning about Souter's eccentricities. The newer justices, like Roberts and Alito, don't get the depth of treatment due to their short tenure but Toobin takes their impact into account.
Overall, I was extremely pleased by this book. It is very easy to read and informative. There is an undercurrent of concern about how the direction of the Court changes with the appointment of new justices; however, I didn't feel this overwhelmed the flow of the narrative. That is, after all, how the Court changes. As much as we'd like to believe justice is impartial, it very much depends on the people who are meting it out. Mr. Toobin has given us a great look at how this is currently happening in the United States. Every American should read it.
Book Review: The Nine
Summary: 4 Stars
I had to read for extra credit in a class I was taking; however, this is really an interesting read! Book Review: Biased or not . . .
Summary: 4 Stars
Toobin has written in "The Nine" a look at the Supreme Court as most of us have known it, or at least with the Justices we have known. He gives background on where each came from and how they came to be nominated. He discusses the cases on which they ruled and how those rulings have or will affect the laws of this country for some time to come. That he has some prejudices for liberals and against conservatives is clear. However, it's moderates that he praises most and in the Supreme Court, it seems that we have few liberals, and fewer moderates. Much of what he says about the cases can be proved or disproved by simply researching them and their precedents.
What citizens see of the Supreme Court in this book, and what we can see in Washington these days, is a polarization that is both frightening and counter-productive for our country. One of the more important points Toobin gives us in his story is that nothing is written in stone when it comes to our laws in general, particularly when it comes to laws protecting women's rights. If readers believe this book leans a little too much to the left, they should find another that leans a bit to the right, and if they are truly interested in the truth, they should go further and seek out a work that is strongly placed in the center. No one book can give the whole truth, and it's up to us to look at both sides of the issue.
Regardless of where the reader's sympathies and loyalties lie, Toobin gives a good starting place for understanding those who rule on our country's laws, and where their decisions may come from. It is unfortunate that those decisions are not based on blind justice. As interesting as it is, however, there are few places in which Toobin is more than a little obscure and his point is difficult to ferret out. A little more editing would have helped in those areas. In all, though, the book is very readable and should send us all to the book shelves for more information. After all, the general population has to live with what these nine decide, for good or ill.
Book Review: Unbelievably Biased
Summary: 1 Stars
As has been mentioned by others, I don't know how anyone could view this as an "objective" look at the Supreme Court. Before the prologue is finished, it is blatantly obvious that the writer is out to paint the conservatives as dangerous and scheming. The fact that the more liberal courts put their "opinions" above the constitution - No problem! It's a living breathing document that you can make say whatever you want. But if you're a conservative and believe that the constitution means what it says and should be "amended" when it needs to be changed (rather than changed via the courts), then you are a dangerous, evil conservative who will ruin our country.
Calling this objective is like calling the National Enquirer a reputable publication.
Book Review: fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
For those passionate about the supreme court, Tobin's book is a great read. Well laid out for the common reader and picks up at an intersting itme in the court's history. VERY good read.