John Paul Stevens - by Bill Barnhart & Gene Schlickman (Hardcover)

About the Book

During Justice Sonya Sotomayor's recent confirmation hearings, the idea of "biography" played a high-profile role in the debate. How much does a person's experience affect his or her judicial opinions? Should personal history be a key consideration when determining qualifications to sit on the highest court in the land? In this impeccably researched book, journalist Bill Barnhart and retired lawyer and former legislator Gene Schlickman paint a detailed portrait of Justice John Paul Stevens's remarkable life and tenure on the Court. Through vivid family history and a careful look at his work on the bench, Barnhart and Schlickman offer the first biography of the second longest serving Supreme Court justice of the modern era--one who has proudly earned the title of the Court's most prolific dissenter.To provide a nuanced and multifaceted look at the justice, Barnhart and Schlickman interviewed Stevens and an extraordinary number of Stevens's friends and family members, former clerks, current colleagues, politicians, and court watchers. They spoke with such public figures as former President Ford, former Ford chief of staff Donald Rumsfeld, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Interviews with Stevens's children and one of his brothers provide personal insights into the man behind the robe. Tales of his childhood, of growing up in an affluent family in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, and of the family business, including The Stevens Hotel (now the Chicago Hilton and Towers), create a rich portrait of the independent man and judge. Intimate anecdotes from Stevens's former law clerks reveal the lighter side of some of the most serious work in the country.Barnhart and Schlickman also give careful consideration to Stevens's career. They trace his early years as a Chicago lawyer, his appointment to the federal appeals bench in Chicago, and his ultimate nomination to the Supreme Court by Republican President Ford. They examine his best-known opinions, including his emotional dissents in Texas v. Johnson and Bush v. Gore. They trace his growth as a molder of Court decisions. In an era of an increasingly politicized judiciary, the story of Stevens's life, as a lawyer who joined the bench with no political or ideological baggage, is an urgent reminder of the importance of judicial impartiality and the need to cultivate it. This vibrant biography will be of interest to those fascinated by the inner workings of the Supreme Court as well as those who simply want to learn more about one of Chicago's favorite sons.

Book Synopsis

During Justice Sonya Sotomayor's 2009 confirmation hearings, the idea of "biography" played a high-profile role in the debate. How much does a person's experience affect his or her judicial opinions? Should personal history be a key consideration when determining qualifications to sit on the highest court in the land? In this impeccably researched book, journalist Bill Barnhart and retired lawyer and former legislator Gene Schlickman paint a detailed portrait of Justice John Paul Stevens' remarkable life and tenure on the Court. Through vivid family history and a careful look at his work on the bench, Barnhart and Schlickman offer the first biography of the second longest-serving Supreme Court justice of the modern era--one who has proudly earned the title of the Court's most prolific dissenter.

To provide a nuanced and multifaceted look at the justice, Barnhart and Schlickman interviewed Stevens and an extraordinary number of Stevens' friends and family members, former clerks, current colleagues, politicians, and court watchers. They spoke with such public figures as former President Gerald Ford, former Ford chief of staff Donald Rumsfeld, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Interviews with Stevens' children and one of his brothers provide personal insights into the man behind the robe. Tales of his childhood, of growing up in an affluent family in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, and of the family business, including The Stevens Hotel (now the Chicago Hilton and Towers), create a rich portrait of the independent man and judge. Intimate anecdotes from Stevens' former law clerks reveal the lighter side of some of the most serious work in the country.

Barnhart and Schlickman also give careful consideration to Stevens' career. They trace his early years as a Chicago lawyer, his appointment to the federal appeals bench in Chicago, and his ultimate nomination to the Supreme Court by Republican President Ford. They examine his best-known opinions, including his emotional dissents in Texas v. Johnson and Bush v. Gore. They trace his growth as a molder of Court decisions. In an era of an increasingly politicized judiciary, the story of Stevens' life, as a lawyer who joined the bench with no political or ideological baggage, is an urgent reminder of the importance of judicial impartiality and the need to cultivate it. This vibrant biography will be of interest to those fascinated by the inner workings of the Supreme Court as well as those who simply want to learn more about one of Chicago's favorite sons.

Review Quotes

In rich detail, John Paul Stevens, tells the story of a Navy veteran, lawyer, judge and justice who has shaped American law for over three decades. It is a valuable window in Justice Stevens's often-unpredictable understanding of the Constitution and the law.--John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and former White House Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton

John Paul Stevens' judicial philosophy may be hard to label but his integrity is rock solid. A lifetime in the law and the courage to speak his mind (see Bush v. Gore) make him a national treasure on our highest court.--Richard J. Durbin, United States Senator

An excellent, well-written, and fascinating book that does a fabulous job of presenting Justice Stevens's biography in all its complexity and multiple dimensions. I learned a remarkable amount about Justice Stevens that I had not known before.--Bernard Harcourt, The University of Chicago

Terrific.--Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Nine

Justice John Paul Stevens combines a towering intellect with courageous independence. Bill Barnhart and Gene Schlickman combine their exhaustive research with insightful analysis to give readers a splendid biography of the Supreme Court's most respected member.--Newton N. Minow, former FCC chairman

A completely original and readable approach that connects the life and career of a future Supreme Court justice with his distinguished contributions on the Court. A new direction for legal scholarship and a great service to our democracy.--Gary T. Johnson, President, Chicago History Museum

About the Author

Bill Barnhart was a columnist and editor for the Chicago Tribune for nearly 30 years. He has made frequent appearances on Chicago cable news channel CLTV and the national PBS program, Nightly Business Report. He lives in Chicago's Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood. The late Gene Schlickman (1929-2014) was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1964 until his retirement in 1981 and a partner in the law firm of Burfeind and Schlickman. Bill Barnhart and Gene Schlickman are also the authors of Kerner, a biography of former Illinois Governor, Otto Kerner.