Free Downloads Supreme Court Decisions (Penguin Civic Classics)
A selection of the landmark Supreme Court decisions that have shaped American societyPenguin presents a series of six portable, accessible, and—above all—essential reads from American political history, selected by leading scholars. Series editor Richard Beeman, author of The Penguin Guide to the U.S. Constitution, draws together the great texts of American civic life, including the founding documents, pivotal historical speeches, and important Supreme Court decisions, to create a timely and informative mini-library of perennially vital issues.The Supreme Court is one of America's leading expositors of and participants in debates about American values. Legal expert Jay M. Feinman introduces and selects some of the most important Supreme Court Decisions of all time, which touch on the very foundations of American society. These cases cover a vast array of issues, from the powers of government and freedom of speech to freedom of religion and civil liberties. Feinman offers commentary on each case and excerpts from the opinions of the Justices that show the range of debate in the Supreme Court and its importance to civil society. Among the cases included will be Marbury v. Madison, on the supremacy of the Constitution and the power of judicial review; U.S. v. Nixon, on separation of powers; and Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, a post-9/11 case on presidential power and due process.
Series: Penguin Civic Classics (Book 6)
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books; 1 edition (August 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143121995
ISBN-13: 978-0143121992
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.5 x 7.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #90,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #37 in Books > Law > Rules & Procedures > Courts #38 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Judicial Branch #80 in Books > Law > Legal History
Each court decision is prefaced by a few paragraphs (or sometimes pages) of historical context, provided by the book's editors. The decisions themselves are edited to be a concise summary of the main arguments - you won't find the full text of the arguments here - but as an interested lay person, this short but sweet approach is what I'm looking for.I can read and re-read an argument quickly, thanks to the format, and I carry my copy around to have while waiting for the train, meetings, or classes. When I am particularly intrigued by a decision, I can just go online to read more about it.
Each case has a little description of the events, the historical context and some comments on the court's decision. Then there's a redacted version of the court's actual language. If I only take one thing away, it's that I thought partisanship played a big role in these decisions but it seems that's not the case. Even when the judges disagree, their arguments are well reasoned and grounded in the constitution as it's written. Makes you appreciate lawmakers and the role of law in our society.
To someone with a very general (i.e. high school history) knowledge of key Supreme Court cases, this book was an excellent snapshot. The excerpts from the Justices' opinions (and sometimes dissents) are succinct and clear, summarizing the main points of the case and the perspective that shaped the decision. (Be aware that they are abridged without elipses, however.) The introductions to each case provide a short bit of helpful context, noting where the cases build on each other or were later altered.
...walking through time through halls where any court case ended justly...inspiring writing like Justice Jackson's "West Virginia v. Barnette" and Justice Kennedy's "Lawrence v. Texas" opinions...reasons for case verdicts that shape life being made better for people around us--loved ones, friends...cases like "Brown v. Topeka Board of Education"..things I haven't found anywhere else to read..
If you're into important supreme court decisions that have shaped american history then I highly recommend this book for reading to enjoy. It doesn't get into really deep specifics so this isn't the book if you're trying to use if for a class. But for fun reading its everything you need
The concise author summaries and editing were outstanding. I thought some cases deserved too be included, such as Kurtzman and Lopez cases. I still recommend it!
my father was thrilled with these. and used them in discussion with friends.
Wish they would have included the older decisions that would make a lot of "common laws" which are "unlawful" fall flat on their faces.
Supreme Court Decisions (Penguin Civic Classics) The United States v. Nixon: The Watergate Scandal and Limits to US Presidential Power (Landmark Supreme Court Cases) (Landmark Supreme Court Cases (Abdo)) Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions Dissent and the Supreme Court: Its Role in the Court's History and the Nation's Constitutional Dialogue American Political Speeches (Penguin Civic Classics) Lincoln Speeches (Penguin Civic Classics) The Federalist Papers (Penguin Civic Classics) The U.S. Supreme Court (Let's See Library - Our Nation) Supreme Court Paper Dolls (Dover Paper Dolls) The Oath: The Obama White House and The Supreme Court The Supreme Court; Twelfth Edition The Courage of Their Convictions: Sixteen Americans Who Fought Their Way to the Supreme Court The Rehnquist Choice: The Untold Story of the Nixon Appointment That Redefined the Supreme Court John McKinley and the Antebellum Supreme Court: Circuit Riding in the Old Southwest Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court Men in Black: How the Supreme Court is Destroying America The U.S. Supreme Court: A Very Short Introduction Scalia Dissents: Writings of the Supreme Court's Wittiest, Most Outspoken Justice
