Supreme Anecdotes - by Robert S Peck & Anthony Champagne (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Discover the hidden personalities behind the Supreme Court's most pivotal decisions in this captivating new book. Through vivid anecdotes and intimate stories, readers are introduced to the justices not just as legal minds, but as individuals with distinct characters and quirks. From Chief Justice John Marshall's conviviality and his clever rule to enjoy wine only when it rained, to the tragic tale of John Rutledge's struggle with mental health and public perception, the book brings to life the human side of the Court. Experience the wit and wisdom of justices like Joseph Story, who found a way to please Marshall's love for Madeira, and the resilience of Charles Evans Hughes, whose extraordinary memory left little to be debated during conferences.

Venture into the lives of justices who, despite their influential roles, faced personal battles and societal challenges. Learn about the financial woes of Justice James Wilson, the haunting ailment of John Blair, and the dependence on painkillers that nearly tarnished William Rehnquist's legacy. Discover the humorous yet humble encounters of justices mistaken for tourists or elevator operators, underscoring their relative anonymity despite their significant impact. This book offers a fresh perspective on the Supreme Court, providing an enriched understanding of the justices' thought processes and the institution's political nature through these compelling and often surprising anecdotes.

Review Quotes

"I cannot think of another book on the Supreme Court that I enjoyed reading more or that I learned more from. Robert Peck and Anthony Champagne have written a magnificent book presenting anecdotes about the justices, both the famous and the obscure. Most of all, the book shows us the human beings in the robes and reminds us that the law is a product of who is on the bench." -Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

"The history of the Supreme Court traditionally has been treated as a long train of legal doctrines made by dour and serious justices taking the law, and often themselves, entirely too seriously. Peck and Champagne reveal, through a series of anecdotes and stories, that from the beginning, justices of the Supreme Court are anything but dour-indeed they were people of flamboyant personalities who led interesting lives. This book not only will give the reader an appreciation of the history of the Supreme Court from the days of John Jay to the present Roberts Court but will also induce a chuckle a page. Readers will, not so accidentally, gain an appreciation for the honor and wisdom of people who have served but also endure puns about basketball games played on 'the highest court in the land.' Warning-put aside a couple of hours when you open this book because you won't be able to set it down!" -James Riddlesperger, Jr., Professor of Political Science, Texas Christian University

"An apt anecdote can reveal the character of a prominent person. That is especially the case for judges robed in neutral black. This charming book peeks beneath those robes at the foibles, follies, and the occasional withering wit of the Supremes who have populated the most solemn branch of government, proving that justices are human." -Royce Hanson, Research Professor, George Washington University Institute of Public Policy

"The authors paint a refreshing and unprecedented portrait of the men and women who have profoundly shaped American history through their service on the Court. Superbly researched, evocative, and inspiring, Supreme Anecdotes is a must read for all who care about the majesty and frailty of the rule of law." -Hon. Wallace B. Jefferson, former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court

"SUPREME ANECDOTES shows the reader a very different side of the Justices, including the fact that many of them did not come close to fitting our ideal of members of our Highest Court." -Alan B. Morrison, Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law, George Washington University Law School