Robert S. Peck of the Center for Constitutional Litigation has coauthored Supreme Anecdotes: Tales from the Supreme Court, a collection of short anecdotes covering every justice to have served on the Supreme Court of the United States.
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.
Former Texas Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson of Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP called it a “refreshing and unprecedented portrait of the men and women who have profoundly shaped American history through their service on the Court” and praised it as “superbly researched, evocative, and inspiring.”
Erwin Chemerinksy, dean of UC Berkeley School of Law, said he could not think of “another book on the Supreme Court that [he] enjoyed reading more or learned more from.”