QUARRELS THAT HAVE SHAPED THE CONSTITUTION

16 leading historians have contributed an essay apiece dealing with separate Supreme Court cases which have altered the interpretation of the Constitution. Each case was a cause celebre in its own time and the initial excitement of old conflicts-at-law have been retained in these retellings . These proceed from a recap of the case to the consideration of the legal strategy employed by the contending lawyers, to the discussion of the temper of times and the effect of each decision. The time range of cases selected goes from the late 18th century and John Marshall to the recent school desegregation case, Chief Justice Earl Warren presiding. An excellent reader for high school as well as college history courses; even the case titles reflect the contributors' urge to catch and hold attention, e.g. -- ""The Sick Chicken Case"" and ""The Case of the Overworked Laundress,"" etc.