谁来守护公正：美国最高法院大法官访谈录

by Brian Lamb, 布莱恩·拉姆, Susan Swain (Editor)

美国总统位高权重，仍须定期更替，最高法院九位大法官却终身任职，深居简出，在被称为“大理石神殿”的宏伟建筑内审理案件，发布判决，守护着宪法与公正。一个拥有三亿多国民、上千枚核弹的超级大国，司法公正为何交由这九人守护？在这条司法“流水线”上，作为最终产品的“公正判决”是如何生产出来的？美国人民又凭什么信任他们的司法能力和职业操守？带着上述疑问，公共事务电视台（C-SPAN）采访了九位现任大法官和三位离任大法官。所有大法官出镜接受一家电视台采访，这在美国历史上尚是首次。这些珍贵的访谈记录，都收录在这本书内。书中，大法官们用生动、通俗的语言，详细解读了美国最有权力，也最为神秘的政府机构的内部运作。他们畅谈自己的司法理念、奋斗经历，对最高法院的决策内幕也不讳言，大量内容都是首度公开。中国读者可以藉此了解到：美国最高法院如何看待民意？民意“一边倒”的案子，会不会影响大法官们的判断？他们如何处理与国会、白宫的关系？喜欢什么样的庭辩风格，对律师有何建议？内部会议由谁说了算？判决书由谁起草？他们用不用Google检索资料，上不上Twitter发言，会不会在iPad或Kindle上阅读案卷？为丰富大家的理解，书后还附上了对最高法院现任书记官、前法官助理、前首席政府律师、出庭律师、资深记者和历史学家的访谈，从不同视角，向读者全面展示了美国最高法院的历史渊源、职能定位和传统文化，方便大家进一步了解这些“法治与公正的守护神”。

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

424 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 2008

About the author

Brian Lamb, founder of C-SPAN, currently serves as the C-SPAN Networks' Executive Chairman. Since C-SPAN's founding in 1979, Brian has been a regular on-camera presence, interviewing all presidents since Reagan and many world leaders, members of Congress, journalists and authors. Over 15 years beginning in 1989, Brian interviewed 801 nonfiction authors for a weekly series called "Booknotes." Currently, Brian hosts "Q & A," a Sunday evening, hour-long interview program with people who are making things happen in the public sphere.

Six books of collected Brian Lamb interviews have been published by PublicAffairs based on the "Booknotes" and "Q & A" series, most recently, "Sundays at Eight." And in 2010, PublicAffairs published "The Supreme Court," a collection of interviews Brian and C-SPAN colleague Susan Swain conducted with eleven current and former Supreme Court justices. C-SPAN's 10th book with PublicAffairs, "The Presidents: Noted Historians Rank America's Best - and Worst - Chief Executives," was published in spring 2019.

Brian's work with C-SPAN has been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Honor and the National Humanities Medal. In 2011, Purdue University, Brian's alma mater, announced the naming of the Brian Lamb School of Communication.

Brian is a longtime resident of Arlington, Virginia. When he's not devouring newspapers, websites, nonfiction books, or Thai food at his favorite local restaurant, Brian is likely in hot pursuit of the latest country music release.

Reviews

[Jerry Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read some reviews that said they felt this collection of interviews could be repetitive at times, but the fact that questions were repeated to all or nearly all of the justices was interesting in that, even when answers were similar, there was still a distinctive quality to them that allowed for insight into each individual justice's personality and character. I found this book to be very enlightening into the most often misunderstood branch of our federal government. I highly recommend it not just to fellow history buffs or political junkies but also to everyday citizens to better understand the nine people who make up the highest court of the land.

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets a bit repetitive at times because the interviewers ask the justices some of the same questions, but really an enjoyable read.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best C-SPAN book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adriane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is just a transcript of the Cspan interviews. I liked it because I am very interested in the SC. But I don’t think most people would want to take the time to read it.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say C-SPAN did a wonderful job compiling this book with the one-on-one interviews with Justices and various staff that make the Supreme Court what it was and what it is at present day. I have personally visited the Supreme Court and looking back on that experience I only wish this book had been available back when I visited there because if it had been I probably would've taken more away from it than what I did. Having read this book I can still remember looking at the courtroom and they were right it is very small compared to what we think of as a courtroom on a different level. But, you get a sense of what really goes on there and this book definitely opened my eyes to a lot of what goes on at the Supreme Court.

The numerous photos that were included with the book also brought me back to the time when I was at the Supreme Court because I do remember the courtroom and the great Hall that leads up to that the self-supporting staircase that is a spiral that you see but there were other areas that the public is typically not allowed to be in. For example, the robing room where the justices put on their robes Or, the law library.

If any of you are history buffs out there particularly when it comes to the law and architecture this book does a nice job of blending those two elements. You also get a history lesson about the court which from my recollection didn't recall a lot of it when I was there in person but I was also 9 at the time. I also Did not really understand all the formality that went along with the Supreme Court and tradition. This book gives you a very good glimpse of that.

So in conclusion if you like the law, history and really want to know more about the Supreme Court since the public only sees one side of it this book is for you.

[WaldenOgre · Rating 3 out of 5]

非常浅显的入门读物，甚至会觉得浅显到缺乏起码的深度。但正如肯尼迪大法官所说：“自由只有在被人们理解和传播时，才能够不断延续。”

[Jeancburke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for C-SPAN! They obtained interviews with all nine justices. This book provides a fascinating account of what the experience of being a United States Supreme Court Justice is about by virtue of the interview answers provided by each individual justice. It is an inspirational aid in memorizing the names of the justices and their hierarchical placement on the court, (based on their order of appointment.) Both straightforward and extraordinary, it is clear that the nine justices have great respect for each other, regardless of how different they may be politically. You get both the overview and particulars of how the court functions.

[Sharon Beers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This features mid-2009 interviews with each of the members of our Supreme Court, including the newly sworn-in Justice Sonia Sotomayor and also former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The book was written before Justice Elena Kagan's appointment. There are also interviews with former Solicitors General, attorneys who have argued before the Court, historians, reporters and others who have been in close contact with the Court over a period of many years. I was most struck (and disturbed) by one example given of the ideological judicial activisim that Chief Justice John Roberts seems intent on pursuing.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The transcript approach makes for a stilted and snoozy narrative.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Justices' interviews are very good, and also historically valuable. Half the book is useless though, interviews from 'experts' and other unnecessary things.

[Dan Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent view into the inner workings of court. C-span interviewed all nine justices in 2009 and discussed the importance of the court and their experiences.

[Joshua Zhou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still pretty ignorant of the supreme court after reading the book. Too much repetition, do people just send their memorandum to the press and get the book published?