THE SUPREME COURT IN AMERICAN HISTORY

As usual, this selection of ten great Supreme Court decisions starts with the one few commentators can get past -- Marbury vs. Madison. At every point, the author's choice of case is preceded by a concise reading of the divisive issues of the eras in which the various cases came before the Court. In addition, there is a thumbnail briefing on the make up of each Court, the directive or balancing roles assumed by the Chief Justices, and a breakdown on the ratio of conservative and liberal members. Aside from the first, inevitable case, these are not the most often encountered decisions collected especially for young people. These include some of the trade union decisions, fair employment practice decisions and end with the civil rights, religious liberties and legislative reapportionment cases which are getting so much attention in the current press. All are vigorously recounted with a good story-teller's attention to the suspense element. The strategies employed by opposing lawyers are outlined and the temperaments of the deciding Justices considered and introduced.