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Book Review of The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court
reviewed on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


I couldn't put this book down. I loved it and I hated it. I'm not a lawyer and it is written by a lawyer, so probably 25% or more of the judicial stuff went over my head.
This book is a fantastic account of the progress of the Supreme Court since the 1960s or so. It chronicles the progress through the political and social storms and the effects they have had on judicial rulings. If you've lived through this period, you will recognize all these ups and downs and the effect they have had on the laws of this country.
Its also a great biography of the justices, told in bits and pieces as situations develop, the forces in their lives, their upbringings and experiences that made them decide cases as they did.
Its also a great insight into the inner workings of the court, most of which none of know anything about, the processes, the traditions, the lighter and darker elements, the interaction of the justices.
What dismayed me was the extent that politics rule inside the court. As a novice, I thought the law was the law, but alas. I now know why I absolutely despise some of our current justices, and admire others, based on my political beliefs. Its a real eye-opener as to how everyday life and politics shapes the law of the land.