The Roberts Court

Reviews

“One of the best Supreme Court books in years; a wise and deeply reported inside look at the court, its struggles, and the justices themselves.”

“In this fast-paced narrative, Marcia Coyle brings alive the four recent cases that illuminate the emerging agenda of the Roberts court. Everyone gets a voice in Coyle’s story: litigants, lawyers, clerks on the court, even the justices themselves. In an understated but powerful voice, she also implies that the conservative majority on the Roberts Court is pursuing an agenda as broad and active as any Court in our history. Coyle concisely captures the complexities of constitutional jurisprudence.”

“Richly sourced and impressively researched, Marcia Coyle’s authoritatively nonpartisan account of the inner workings of the Roberts Court is a must-read for everyone who wants to understand why the Court often plays a deciding role in American lives.”

“Marcia Coyle has written the go-to book for anyone who wants to understand the most conservative Supreme Court that most Americans alive today can remember. Her acute focus on key 5–4 cases not only shows us the Roberts court in action but also explains how conservative social movements have made their voices heard at the court on issues that matter to us all.”

“Marcia Coyle has written a brilliant exposé of how the Roberts court has acted on health care, gun control, campaign finance, school racism, and more. This is jurisprudence journalism history at its finest. And it’s a joy to read. Highly recommended!”

“In her meticulously reported, eminently readable treatment of the Roberts court, the vastly experienced Marcia Coyle skillfully lifts the veil of ignorance enshrouding the work of our nation’s highest court. This is a wonderful addition to the literature about the Court uniquely entrusted with the ultimate task of interpreting America’s constitution.”

“Richly analytical and meticulously careful…Even-handed and full of smart analysis…Coyle’s shrewd reading of the cases is supplemented by skillful reporting on those who practice before the court…It’s not the modest court that its chief once proposed; to the contrary, it is assertive, relevant, and a bit scary—and worthy of this useful book.”

“From campaign finance to gun rights, from public-school integration to health care, the court has recently overruled precedents, raised unasked legal questions, and disregarded the decisions of elected officials, generating worries that the court may be becoming as partisan an institution as Congress…In separate sections, Coyle carefully and in great detail examines recent rulings…In this insightful, important look at the Roberts court, Coyle…explores the broader implications for American politics and justice.”

“Coyle’s canny account of the court shows how even the highest reaches of constitutional reasoning are shadowed by dogma and bias.”

“A careful, informed analysis of the origins, progress, and disposition of the complex, high-stakes legal disputes that find their way to the court.”

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