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The Case Against the Supreme Court Audible Audiobook – Unabridged
Both historically and in the present, the Supreme Court has largely been a failure
In this devastating book, Erwin Chemerinsky—“one of the shining lights of legal academia” (The New York Times)—shows how, case by case, for over two centuries, the hallowed Court has been far more likely to uphold government abuses of power than to stop them. Drawing on a wealth of rulings, some famous, others little known, he reviews the Supreme Court’s historic failures in key areas, including the refusal to protect minorities, the upholding of gender discrimination, and the neglect of the Constitution in times of crisis, from World War I through 9/11.
No one is better suited to make this case than Chemerinsky. He has studied, taught, and practiced constitutional law for thirty years and has argued before the Supreme Court. With passion and eloquence, Chemerinsky advocates reforms that could make the system work better, and he challenges us to think more critically about the nature of the Court and the fallible men and women who sit on it.
- Listening Length14 hours and 11 minutes
- Audible release dateMarch 28, 2023
- LanguageEnglish
- ASINB0BRQPV1SY
- VersionUnabridged
- Program TypeAudiobook
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Product details
Listening Length | 14 hours and 11 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Erwin Chemerinsky |
Narrator | Philip Hernandez |
Whispersync for Voice | Ready |
Audible.com Release Date | March 28, 2023 |
Publisher | Penguin Audio |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B0BRQPV1SY |
Best Sellers Rank | #139,999 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #209 in United States Judicial Branch #418 in Law (Audible Books & Originals) #553 in General Constitutional Law |
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Customers find the book informative and interesting, providing a good overview and common-sense critique of the Supreme Court's performance. They describe it as clear, entertaining, and worth reading. The author makes well-thought-out arguments that are supported by precedents.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and interesting. They appreciate the brief overview and common sense critique of most cases. The book provides a good background on the justices and a brief discussion of Originalism. It's thought-provoking and a frank and clear exposition of how the Supreme Court has perpetuated missed opportunities and errors.
"...This book provides a good brief summary, overview, and common sense critique of most of the cases of recent public notoriety..." Read more
"...Good background on the justices and brief discussion of Originalism...." Read more
"A very readable and informative critique of the performance of the Supreme Court over time which every lawyer and judge need to read" Read more
"This book is that rarity: an extended scholarly analysis that maintains the reader's constant interest while buttressing its arguments with facts..." Read more
Customers find the book readable and informative. They describe it as clear, entertaining, and well-written. The book maintains their interest with its straightforward assessment of the Supreme Court's performance.
"One of the best books on the Supreme Court written for the lay person by an academic...." Read more
"A very readable and informative critique of the performance of the Supreme Court over time which every lawyer and judge need to read" Read more
"...is that rarity: an extended scholarly analysis that maintains the reader's constant interest while buttressing its arguments with facts galore...." Read more
"...is a master at putting complex legal issues into clear and entertaining prose, spoken and written. This book is no exception...." Read more
Customers find the book's arguments clear and convincing. They appreciate the author's straightforward assessment of the Supreme Court's performance. The book provides a concise, balanced overview of the case analysis.
"...This book provides a good brief summary, overview, and common sense critique of most of the cases of recent public notoriety..." Read more
"This is an excellent analysis of the court and its effectiveness. Good background on the justices and brief discussion of Originalism...." Read more
"...The author makes clear and convincing arguments, substantiate with precedent...." Read more
"...There have been very inspiring and intelligent decisions (Civil Rights legislation, Women's Rights, Roe vs. Wade), and dismal disappointments..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2015One of the best books on the Supreme Court written for the lay person by an academic. It not only explains in plain language the significant points of each case discussed, but also ties them together (or not). It will be clear that consistency and respect for stare decisis has gotten short shrift from the Roberts court. SCOTUS jurisprudence unfortunately has been far more activist, intellectually incompetent or dishonest (you decide), and "outcome" oriented than one would expect.
This book provides a good brief summary, overview, and common sense critique of most of the cases of recent public notoriety (Hobby Lobby, Citizens United, etc.)as well as a number of others over the years; some of considerable import and reputation and some hardly known but to the lawyer interested in the particular issue. A good source for one who wants to be able to understand the news and participate intelligently in discussions without having to go to point of reading the cases. It is unfortunate but I mostly agree with Dean Chemerinsky that SCOTUS has been far more of a failure as the institution than most most of us expect or even realize
- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2022This is an excellent analysis of the court and its effectiveness. Good background on the justices and brief discussion of Originalism.
President Trump and both political parties have exposed the weaknesses in our system that need to be examined and reformed for today and the future to safeguard our Democratic Experiment.
The Court is not impartial and is presently staffed by mediocre justices with extreme biases who are pushing through a backward political agenda which will result in the Nation going backwards.
Add to this the structural corruption we have in our government, with a weak Department of Justice, and a legal profession infested with corrupt attorneys the country will have more unnecessary turmoil, disruption, waste, and move to being a banana Republic.
This book is a must read for those who care where America is going.
Terry Foster
- Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2014A very readable and informative critique of the performance of the Supreme Court over time which every lawyer and judge need to read
- Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2015Conservatives have long complained about an activist Court. But as Chemerinsky shows, it is conservative activism that has led the nation into grievous harm. The Dred Scott decision was a key blunder that made the Civil War almost inevitable, allowing the slave states to intrude into the activities of the free states. Lochner was another terrible decision, one that led to terrible labor strife as the basic rights of human beings were subordinated to those of businesses. Indeed, Lochner was so destructive that it led to FDR's decision to pack the Court. While he was blocked in doing that, had the Court not changed its application of Lochner, public outrage could have led to any of many very bad outcomes. As much as conservatives love to hate the Court, it is their Court that has legalized corruption in the Citizens United and McCutcheon cases, gutted the Voting Rights Act which had passed Congress nearly unanimously on the bizarre grounds that unanimity somehow meant the Congress hadn't thought things through, engaged in partisan activity, and otherwise made itself a laughingstock. I don't think Chemerinsky is so indelicate as to mention that one of the Justices is a known perjurer, but that fact alone brings the Court as a whole into disrepute. It reeks of a sense of impunity, the surest sign of societal decay.
At this point, liberals, moderates, and conservatives should be able to agree that the Court needs radical overhaul to depoliticize it, re-balance individual vs. corporate liberties in favor of persons with a pulse, and return it to its proper role of determining whether a law is consistent with the Constitution as it is--rather than as it was when slavery was legal, women were unable to vote, and openly buying votes in Congress was not only legal but the common practice. It's probably not too far a reach to say that we should impeach them all and start afresh, with justices that all Americans can agree are fair-minded, professional, and honest.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2016This book is that rarity: an extended scholarly analysis that maintains the reader's constant interest while buttressing its arguments with facts galore. Unlike misguided critics who think abolishing the supreme court would be a solution to its deficiencies, Prof. Chemerinsky, who spends most of these pages laying out the various flaws associated with the court, winds up by outlining and explaining practical measures that would radically reduce those flaws. If you have any interest in federal law but have been bored by other non-fiction works, this is for you!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2014Great subject matter which was unfortunately presented in a "course outline" format.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2015I am a civil rights lawyer with 45 years experience. Lately I have read a book on the Court by Garrett Epps, one by Lawrence Tribe, and this one. Chemerinsky is accurate about many things. I have better insight now. I find that I had overlooked some of the deficiencies of the various justices since the Warren Court faded. I am a fan of Hugo Black, William Brennan, Earl Warren, William O. Douglas, Thurgood Marshall and some others. None on the Court today are in the upper category. Roberts is about like Justice Taney. Scalia is a bit wacko. Alito belongs on Ellis Island. This is the best book on the Supreme Court in a long time. I recommend the one on Justice Brennan by Roger Goldman and the book about Thurgood Marshall by Roger Goldman.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2014Powerful stuff. Chermerinsky is always engaging though I did not learn much new in this volume.
Top reviews from other countries
- Jay1802Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Excellent insight and very readable, even for an outsider with little knowledge of the Supreme Court.