Capitol Games: Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill, and the Story of a Supreme Court Nomination

by Timothy M. Phelps, Helen Winternitz

An inside look at the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill story describes how Hill's allegations pitted men against women, blacks against whites, and the Left against the Right, and describes their implications for the American political system.

Genres: Politics, Gender

512 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1992

Reviews

[Lawrence Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a timely review after the Kavanaugh disaster as history has repeated itself! Phelps was involved with early reporting of the Anita Hill story so he was in a good position to author this recount of the events! Anita Hill told the truth but was not believed just as we had again this year. Thomas turned into a terrible justice and I would expect history to show Brett the beer lover will do the same! Free from the local public library

[Sheila Lent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it first came out for my constitutional law class as an undergraduate. It resonated with me then and it's sad how relevant it still is.

[Fred Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since "Roe vs. Wade" was overturned and it's become clear that Clarence Thomas is now the most powerful justice on the Supreme Court, I've become interested in learning more about him. That led me to this book, which came out soon after the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings.

I remember when the events happened, but I did not learn about them in such detail as was provided by this very readable book.

What I got out of this book was that Clarence Thomas never should have gotten onto the Court, but many elements led to him getting nominated and confirmed, including the Democrats not being aggressive in their opposition for reasons such as Ted Kennedy having his own personal issues and the Democrats not wanting to be seen as attacking a black man.

Clarence Thomas did not have anything that should have led to him being on the Court. He didn't have the experience, the character, or the intellect, and he was disingenuous about how rightwing he was. I believe Anita Hill, and so should you. Now look where it has gotten us.