It Is So Ordered: A Constitution Unfolds

by Warren E. Burger

The former Chief Justice of the United States examines fourteen cases and events that determined the Constitution's meaning and application in a stories tracing the evolution of the nation's guiding document and its role in shaping American history. 25,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo.

242 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1995

About the author

Warren Earl Burger was Chief Justice of the United States from 1969 to 1986. Although Burger had conservative leanings, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a variety of transformative and controversial decisions on abortion, capital punishment, religious establishment, and school desegregation during his tenure.

Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I opened this book thinking, "Another summary of historical Supreme Court opinions, I doubt I'll learn anything I don't know already" -- but I was quite wrong! I was also a bit biased against the former Chief Justice author, but he surprised me in that respect as well. First of all, he discusses many Supreme Court cases which aren't thought of as "famous" but which did have an affect on constitutional understanding. As to the "famous" cases he discusses, I think his writing adds a lot to what has come before and just wasn't a rote summary of the decisions. I learned more than I thought I would - and that's always a rewarding experience! This is a definite recommend for anyone interested in the Court and/or the Constitution. I'm also biased for this book because there is a lot of praise of John Marshall and Alexander Hamilton, and lots of critiques of Mr. Jefferson.