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The Supremes' Greatest Hits: The 34 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life
Can the government seize your house in order to build a shopping mall? Can it determine what you can do to your own body? Why are you allowed to copy songs on a CD, but not music files from the Internet? The answers to those questions come from the Supreme Court—and its rulings have shaped American life and justice. Here are 34 of the most significant issues it has grappled with—from equal rights to privacy rights, from the limits of speech to the boundaries between church and state. Many of these cases read like thrillers…right down to their cliff-hanging endings. Among the most intriguing: the Dred Scott decision, Miranda v. Arizona, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and Bush v. Gore.
176 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2006
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June 4, 2017
History light? But that sounds derogatory, and this book is wonderful. Unlike most history books I try to read, it doesn't waste time on biographical and personal information. Basically two questions are answered for every case: What was decided? Why & how does it affect us today? I must find the second update, with 44 cases... and that's the one I highly recommend to you-all.
I specifically learned that Earl Warren could be considered a hero, and if I ever want to read a bio or memoir (as for a challenge) I will look for one of his.
From further reading:
(Cornell does more than birds!) https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/sup... from the Legal Information Institute: open access to law since 1992.
A People's History of the Supreme Court: The Men and Women Whose Cases and Decisions Have Shaped Our Constitution
http://www.scotusblog.com/
(Btw, I read the hardcover. Surprised it's not on here; but I'm not inclined to do librarian work for GR right now.)
I specifically learned that Earl Warren could be considered a hero, and if I ever want to read a bio or memoir (as for a challenge) I will look for one of his.
From further reading:
(Cornell does more than birds!) https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/sup... from the Legal Information Institute: open access to law since 1992.
A People's History of the Supreme Court: The Men and Women Whose Cases and Decisions Have Shaped Our Constitution
http://www.scotusblog.com/
(Btw, I read the hardcover. Surprised it's not on here; but I'm not inclined to do librarian work for GR right now.)
April 1, 2008
I'm a bit of a closet law junkie. I read the Decision of the Day blog, I follow the Supreme Court pretty regularly. This little book is a pretty good primer on the basics of Constitutional law, and it provides a good background on how seemingly innocuous rulings end up having broader implications. I also liked (but maybe question whether they deserve placement in the "most important" cases, since their historical relevance has yet to be determined) that the author included some very recent rulings like MGM v. Grokster and Kelo v. City of New London. About the only thing that disappointed me was the shortness of some of the summaries, and the lack of attention to the fact that the ever-changing makeup of the Court is as important as precedent at times. He does address the Court makeup to an extent in the afterword, but it would have been interesting to see a breakdown of each case's vote.
Still, a good starter book for the Supreme Court enthusiast.
Still, a good starter book for the Supreme Court enthusiast.
March 14, 2018
The Supremes' Greatest Hits, 2nd Revised & Updated Edition by Michael G. Trachtman
“The Supremes' Greatest Hits” is a wonderful, accessible and concise book on how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution and used its power of judicial review to define, and redefine, our way of life. Lawyer and author Michael G. Trachtman provides the layperson with a valuable reference and introductory look at forty-four important Supreme Court cases. This insightful 256-page book includes the following ten chapters: 1. How the Supreme Court Became Supreme, 2. One Nation Under God? Matters of Church and State, 3. Innocent Until Proven Guilty: The Rights of the Accused, 4. The Melting Pot: Race, Discrimination, and Diversity, 5. Playing Politics, 6. The Right To Do What You Want, 7. “Big Government” In Your Business and Your Backyard, 8. Limiting the Imperial Presidency, 9. How Free is Free Speech?, and 10. Old Laws and New Technologies.
Positives:
1. A well-written and well-researched book. A page turner.
2. A very interesting topic, forty-four important Supreme Court cases that impact our lives.
3. Intended for the layperson, Trachtman does a wonderful job of keeping the book accessible and fun to read. “The Supreme Court serves as the ultimate interpreter and protector of our most fundamental rights—the rights set forth in the Constitution.”
4. Clearly defines concepts. “The Constitution is, by its own words, the “supreme law of the land.” Most of the Constitution deals with the creation of a federal government—establishing the three branches; defining their powers; and, very important to the framers, limiting their powers.”
5. Provides the essence of the Bill of Rights.
6. Important insights into the Supreme Court. “Most cases are decided clearly and decisively, but approximately twenty to thirty percent of the cases carry only a 5–4 majority.”
7. Provides the legacy of key cases. “Marbury v. Madison gave us the opportunity to remain the government of laws, not men, that is a prime hallmark of our greatness as a nation.”
8. Describes some of the worst decisions in Supreme Court history. “At its core, in the Dred Scott decision the Supreme Court ruled that slaves and free blacks were not citizens worthy of constitutional protection, and could lawfully be claimed as property, even in states that had outlawed slavery.”
9. Each chapter begins with a chapter-appropriate quote. “A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion.” —Hugo L. Black, Supreme Court Justice, 1937–71”
10. The issue of separation of church and state. “Justice Black, writing for the majority, put the issue into its historical context, recalling “that this very practice of establishing governmentally composed prayers for religious services was one of the reasons which caused many of our early colonists to leave England and seek religious freedom in America.””
11. A look at the Scopes “Monkey Trial”. “The result: A unanimous Supreme Court ruled that a ban on the teaching of evolution violates the Establishment Clause.”
12. Outstanding dissents. Consider Justice Ginsburg’s dissent on the Hobby Lobby case involving disputed contraception coverage to their employees. “Justice Ginsburg angrily disagreed. She called the majority opinion a “decision of startling breadth” through which profit-making businesses could simply cite their owners’ religious beliefs, and through that means determine which laws they will and will not be required to follow. This, she said, elevated the owners’ religious beliefs over the disadvantages that their religion-based opt-outs impose on others—a company could raise a religious objection to virtually anything, and “the government, i.e., the general public, can pick up the tab.””
13. Cases involving race. “Overruling more than a half century of precedent, Warren plainly stated that the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place in American education—and, by implication, anywhere else in America.”
14. The dissent on Citizens United. Consider Justice Stevens dissent on Citizens United on the issue of campaign financing. “He scoffed at the majority’s conclusion—which, he pointed out, was not backed by any evidence or data—that buying access does not lead to corruption.” “The result: Corporations and individuals have the unlimited right to contribute as much money as they want to organizations that support and oppose political candidates.”
15. The Second Amendment. “The so-called conservative wing of the Court (Justices Scalia, Thomas, Kennedy, Roberts, and Alito) won the day, and took the politically conservative position. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the majority opinion, ultimately concluding that the right to bear arms is each individual’s right, having nothing to do with service in a militia.”
16. A look at same-sex marriage. “This time, unlike Citizens United, for instance, Justice Kennedy sided with the liberals, and he wrote the majority opinion: he found that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right protected by the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Constitution.”
17. Issues involving the Commerce Clause. “The Supreme Court’s willingness to expand Congress’s rights under the Commerce Clause reached a zenith in 1964. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation, like hotels and restaurants.”
18. Cases involving monopolies. “In an undeniably landmark case, the Court broke up Standard Oil into separate geographic units (not unlike what happened in the telephone industry decades later). In so doing, the Court announced a new rule to be applied in future monopoly cases—the so-called “rule of reason.” “
19. A look at the separation of powers. “To his credit, Nixon complied less than a week later. The House Judiciary Committee had already begun impeachment proceedings, and Nixon knew that the evidence on the tapes would seal his fate. On August 8, 1974, reading the writing on the wall, Nixon resigned—the first president ever to do so. Vice President Gerald Ford assumed the presidency.”
20. How free is free speech? “Fundamentally, Brandenburg provides a constitutional safe haven for virtually all speech that communicates an idea or position, no matter how repugnant. Our traditions so respect the right of free speech that our government will protect even those who espouse that it be overthrown.”
21. A look at the impact of new technologies. “The Chief Justice then answered the question as directly as it could be answered: “Our answer to the question of what police must do before searching a cell phone seized incident to an arrest is accordingly simple—get a warrant.” In other words, the “search incident to arrest” rule will no longer apply to cell phones.”
Negatives:
1. No references, nor links to speak of.
2. Lack of supplementary material like charts, timelines, graphs, photos or tables.
3. No formal bibliography.
In summary, I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great resource for laypersons who are interested in the Supreme Court but don’t want to be bothered with in depth, esoteric language. Lawyer and author Michael G. Trachtman provides readers with forty-four Supreme Court cases that have an impact on our lives. A fun an insightful read, I highly recommend it!
Further suggestions: “50 Most Cited US Supreme Court Decision” by US Supreme Court, “The Nine” by Jeffrey Toobin, “The Brethren” by Bob Woodward, “A History of the Supreme Court” by Bernard Schwartz, “Uncertain Justice: The Roberts Court and the Constitution” by Laurence Tribe, “The Case Against the Supreme Court” by Erwin Chemerinsky, and “Know Your Bill of Rights” by Sean Patrick.
“The Supremes' Greatest Hits” is a wonderful, accessible and concise book on how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution and used its power of judicial review to define, and redefine, our way of life. Lawyer and author Michael G. Trachtman provides the layperson with a valuable reference and introductory look at forty-four important Supreme Court cases. This insightful 256-page book includes the following ten chapters: 1. How the Supreme Court Became Supreme, 2. One Nation Under God? Matters of Church and State, 3. Innocent Until Proven Guilty: The Rights of the Accused, 4. The Melting Pot: Race, Discrimination, and Diversity, 5. Playing Politics, 6. The Right To Do What You Want, 7. “Big Government” In Your Business and Your Backyard, 8. Limiting the Imperial Presidency, 9. How Free is Free Speech?, and 10. Old Laws and New Technologies.
Positives:
1. A well-written and well-researched book. A page turner.
2. A very interesting topic, forty-four important Supreme Court cases that impact our lives.
3. Intended for the layperson, Trachtman does a wonderful job of keeping the book accessible and fun to read. “The Supreme Court serves as the ultimate interpreter and protector of our most fundamental rights—the rights set forth in the Constitution.”
4. Clearly defines concepts. “The Constitution is, by its own words, the “supreme law of the land.” Most of the Constitution deals with the creation of a federal government—establishing the three branches; defining their powers; and, very important to the framers, limiting their powers.”
5. Provides the essence of the Bill of Rights.
6. Important insights into the Supreme Court. “Most cases are decided clearly and decisively, but approximately twenty to thirty percent of the cases carry only a 5–4 majority.”
7. Provides the legacy of key cases. “Marbury v. Madison gave us the opportunity to remain the government of laws, not men, that is a prime hallmark of our greatness as a nation.”
8. Describes some of the worst decisions in Supreme Court history. “At its core, in the Dred Scott decision the Supreme Court ruled that slaves and free blacks were not citizens worthy of constitutional protection, and could lawfully be claimed as property, even in states that had outlawed slavery.”
9. Each chapter begins with a chapter-appropriate quote. “A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion.” —Hugo L. Black, Supreme Court Justice, 1937–71”
10. The issue of separation of church and state. “Justice Black, writing for the majority, put the issue into its historical context, recalling “that this very practice of establishing governmentally composed prayers for religious services was one of the reasons which caused many of our early colonists to leave England and seek religious freedom in America.””
11. A look at the Scopes “Monkey Trial”. “The result: A unanimous Supreme Court ruled that a ban on the teaching of evolution violates the Establishment Clause.”
12. Outstanding dissents. Consider Justice Ginsburg’s dissent on the Hobby Lobby case involving disputed contraception coverage to their employees. “Justice Ginsburg angrily disagreed. She called the majority opinion a “decision of startling breadth” through which profit-making businesses could simply cite their owners’ religious beliefs, and through that means determine which laws they will and will not be required to follow. This, she said, elevated the owners’ religious beliefs over the disadvantages that their religion-based opt-outs impose on others—a company could raise a religious objection to virtually anything, and “the government, i.e., the general public, can pick up the tab.””
13. Cases involving race. “Overruling more than a half century of precedent, Warren plainly stated that the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place in American education—and, by implication, anywhere else in America.”
14. The dissent on Citizens United. Consider Justice Stevens dissent on Citizens United on the issue of campaign financing. “He scoffed at the majority’s conclusion—which, he pointed out, was not backed by any evidence or data—that buying access does not lead to corruption.” “The result: Corporations and individuals have the unlimited right to contribute as much money as they want to organizations that support and oppose political candidates.”
15. The Second Amendment. “The so-called conservative wing of the Court (Justices Scalia, Thomas, Kennedy, Roberts, and Alito) won the day, and took the politically conservative position. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the majority opinion, ultimately concluding that the right to bear arms is each individual’s right, having nothing to do with service in a militia.”
16. A look at same-sex marriage. “This time, unlike Citizens United, for instance, Justice Kennedy sided with the liberals, and he wrote the majority opinion: he found that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right protected by the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Constitution.”
17. Issues involving the Commerce Clause. “The Supreme Court’s willingness to expand Congress’s rights under the Commerce Clause reached a zenith in 1964. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation, like hotels and restaurants.”
18. Cases involving monopolies. “In an undeniably landmark case, the Court broke up Standard Oil into separate geographic units (not unlike what happened in the telephone industry decades later). In so doing, the Court announced a new rule to be applied in future monopoly cases—the so-called “rule of reason.” “
19. A look at the separation of powers. “To his credit, Nixon complied less than a week later. The House Judiciary Committee had already begun impeachment proceedings, and Nixon knew that the evidence on the tapes would seal his fate. On August 8, 1974, reading the writing on the wall, Nixon resigned—the first president ever to do so. Vice President Gerald Ford assumed the presidency.”
20. How free is free speech? “Fundamentally, Brandenburg provides a constitutional safe haven for virtually all speech that communicates an idea or position, no matter how repugnant. Our traditions so respect the right of free speech that our government will protect even those who espouse that it be overthrown.”
21. A look at the impact of new technologies. “The Chief Justice then answered the question as directly as it could be answered: “Our answer to the question of what police must do before searching a cell phone seized incident to an arrest is accordingly simple—get a warrant.” In other words, the “search incident to arrest” rule will no longer apply to cell phones.”
Negatives:
1. No references, nor links to speak of.
2. Lack of supplementary material like charts, timelines, graphs, photos or tables.
3. No formal bibliography.
In summary, I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great resource for laypersons who are interested in the Supreme Court but don’t want to be bothered with in depth, esoteric language. Lawyer and author Michael G. Trachtman provides readers with forty-four Supreme Court cases that have an impact on our lives. A fun an insightful read, I highly recommend it!
Further suggestions: “50 Most Cited US Supreme Court Decision” by US Supreme Court, “The Nine” by Jeffrey Toobin, “The Brethren” by Bob Woodward, “A History of the Supreme Court” by Bernard Schwartz, “Uncertain Justice: The Roberts Court and the Constitution” by Laurence Tribe, “The Case Against the Supreme Court” by Erwin Chemerinsky, and “Know Your Bill of Rights” by Sean Patrick.
February 13, 2019
This is a great little book that every American should read if for no other reason than to understand how "the 3rd Branch" interacts with us much more substantively than most probably recognize.
When I was in law school all those years ago, it was pointed out that really there are no such things as "Constitutional lawyers". Like every other lawsuit, cases before the Supreme Court arise out of a dispute between parties, whether civil or criminal. Therefore, a lawyer arguing a case before the Court might range from practicing banking law to representing the Boy Scouts to a full time government prosecutor. It depends on the case. And here, Trachtman does a marvelous job in selecting 37 various cases that went before the Court and led to a result that affects our daily lives.
The chapters are logical and well thought out. For example, Chapter 7 is titled "Big Government in your Business and in your Backyard". He explains the nature of "the Commerce Clause" and why it is critical to so many cases. (Congress has the power to regulate 'commerce'.) These are concepts that should be understood by every citizen. You don't need to be an attorney to read this. It is a wonderful place to start for an engaged citizenry if for no other reason than understanding how we have reached the point we are at today.
This review is of the 2nd edition published in 2009 which contains 37 cases as opposed to the 34 as contained in the original edition.
I can't give this 5 stars because the final chapter delves into predictions. It was written during the Obama presidency, and obviously he was denied his opportunity to further impact the Court. It is a political institution, and I'm glad the author points that out. You can skim the final chapter and be no worse for wear. Recommended.
When I was in law school all those years ago, it was pointed out that really there are no such things as "Constitutional lawyers". Like every other lawsuit, cases before the Supreme Court arise out of a dispute between parties, whether civil or criminal. Therefore, a lawyer arguing a case before the Court might range from practicing banking law to representing the Boy Scouts to a full time government prosecutor. It depends on the case. And here, Trachtman does a marvelous job in selecting 37 various cases that went before the Court and led to a result that affects our daily lives.
The chapters are logical and well thought out. For example, Chapter 7 is titled "Big Government in your Business and in your Backyard". He explains the nature of "the Commerce Clause" and why it is critical to so many cases. (Congress has the power to regulate 'commerce'.) These are concepts that should be understood by every citizen. You don't need to be an attorney to read this. It is a wonderful place to start for an engaged citizenry if for no other reason than understanding how we have reached the point we are at today.
This review is of the 2nd edition published in 2009 which contains 37 cases as opposed to the 34 as contained in the original edition.
I can't give this 5 stars because the final chapter delves into predictions. It was written during the Obama presidency, and obviously he was denied his opportunity to further impact the Court. It is a political institution, and I'm glad the author points that out. You can skim the final chapter and be no worse for wear. Recommended.
January 17, 2021
This is a very quick overview of the 34 most significant Supreme Court cases since Madison v. Marbury, in 1803. That was the case that clearly defined for the first time the role of the Supreme Court in being the supreme interpreter of the law and in particular the compliance of those laws (and actions and regulations of the Executive authorized under those laws) with the US Constitution. It was the first time that the court declared a law to be unconstitutional.
The Supremes' Greatest Hits is a very different book from, from example, Bob Woodward's The Brethren, in that if focuses mostly on the bare facts of the cases and the reasoning of the judges, rather than their personalities and inter-personal relationships. Still, it was pretty much of a page-turner for me. Very succinct, very clear, very logical, and pretty even-handed. The author is very respectful of the institution of the court, and the Constitution itself, while recognizing the judges are highly fallible and highly influenced by their own prejudices, value systems, and the times in which they live.
With 90% of the books I read, I think that they could have benefited from being shorter. This one falls into the 10% that I wish had been longer.
The Supremes' Greatest Hits is a very different book from, from example, Bob Woodward's The Brethren, in that if focuses mostly on the bare facts of the cases and the reasoning of the judges, rather than their personalities and inter-personal relationships. Still, it was pretty much of a page-turner for me. Very succinct, very clear, very logical, and pretty even-handed. The author is very respectful of the institution of the court, and the Constitution itself, while recognizing the judges are highly fallible and highly influenced by their own prejudices, value systems, and the times in which they live.
With 90% of the books I read, I think that they could have benefited from being shorter. This one falls into the 10% that I wish had been longer.
May 17, 2012
A lot of people only know the basics of American government. They know there are three branches, executives, legislative and judicial. They know that the executive branch involves the President, enforces the laws. On the other hand they know that the legislative branch has the Senate and House of Representatives, whom make the laws. The judicial branch, however, is know the least, besides that the courts interpret the laws (whether they are constitutional or not). The book Supremes’ Greatest Hits (The 37 Court Cases that most directly affect your life) by Michael G. Trachtman describes the importance the Supreme Court is. The Supreme Court is supposed to help Americans relate to the Constitution. The first step is that they are there to interpret the constitution and read it with all of the ambiguously , that the founding farmers wrote. The second step of the Supreme Court has full authority to determine which cases are constitutional and which are not. That is a lot of authority, especially if it involves a criminal case. However some cases don’t affect us directly because some of them happened during the birth of the country, they all indirectly affect us and are important to know. Trachtman started with the historic case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) and ended with a more modern case such as United states v. American Library Association (2003). In between he discusses the case entirely, the importance and how the ruling has made a difference in history. Each case has an important history within the United States. All of the cases, affect Americans in some way because of the vagueness of the similarity between cases. Trachtman breaks down each chapter by a topic, such as chapter four is about race, discrimination and diversity, while on the other hand chapter seven is about “Big Government” rights. He gives specific examples and reasons to how and why the United States took a specific stance on an issue. Instead of giving his own personal input, Trachtman only states the facts. He states what happened, how the Supreme Court decided and how Americans reacted. Many times the courts are determined by the political beliefs and opinions of the Justices who are on the case. Even though they try to be unbiased, it was hard for most of them. Although that may seem unfair, there are a lot of cases that are very close to based on the Justices vote. Some of the decisions they have made seem to be very dramatic, drastic and generally not good for the country. While other times, the Supreme Court helped solve social and political problems. The Supreme Court solved a lot of the corruption between the branches of government, such as in Nixion v. United States (1974). They solved the racial discriminations that were present in the 1950’s, such as in Brown v. Board of Education (1954). This books underlining meaning is the intense fears that comes with the Supreme Court and the power they have. For instance, with the other branches of government, there is judicial review, which in all honestly, can give the Supreme Court ultimate power of the United States and the Constitution.
In class, we saw the documentary Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore, which talks about the second amendment giving it a liberal perspective. That documentary reminded me of the case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) which is a case about the right to bear arms. The second amendment is one of the most controversial cases because a large number of people support gun control while a fairly large number also oppose it. There are many questions such as “does the first clause govern the second clause, such that the framer only intended to provide that the government cannot disarm citizens who are part of organized militias?” (98). This case is about Dick Heller, who wanted to buy a gun for self defense because he lived in a bad area (District of Columbia). Dick Heller had no violence history, so one could suspect that he would only use it for self defense. In the end, the Judge Stephen Breyer argued “that even if there is an individual right to own a gun, it’s not the same sort of right as free speech or free religion” (102). This reminded me how casually if it to buy a gun in some states, while in the District of Columbia, it was nearly impossible. Another case that is important is Kyllo v. United States (2001), which is about privacy in the High-Tech World. This case reminded me of the Dharun Ravi case because webcams and social media sites were used to help convict him. Although it doesn’t connect directly to what Ravi did, it connects in the sense that the government can use technology to find out more information that necessary. The main question that frightens a lot of Americans is “What happens if, using the latest electronic and computer capabilities, the authorities can look inside your home without even getting close to your from door, and without even knowing that they are in the neighborhood?” (177).
Michael G. Trachtman did not have as much bias as one would think for someone who has a practiced law firm in Pennsylvania and the author of many political science books. Instead he presented the facts and only the facts in the book. He gave an in-depth incite of the troubles that arouse in the United States. Trachtman’s only visible bias is toward the Justices on the United States Supreme Court. He states that the “Supreme Court is itself made up of men and women who may seek to substitute their own views for the Constitution’s mandates and even when acting in the utmost good faith, their actions are colored by their own foibles, backgrounds and opinions” (227). He is saying that it is nearly impossible for the judges to decide anything that does not have any influence on their own lives. He knows that nobody is perfect, but he thinks that there is too much uncertainty in the Supreme Court in which was the Justices would act. A question that he asks is “How can a country, let alone a Judicial system, function when that which the highest court in the land finds to be constitutional certainty one day and become constitutional anachronism on the next” (228). To add on, he thinks that the Supreme Court are highly looked upon, yet their decisions aren’t always the best for the country. He believes that the “reason for this success lies not just in the design of the system; it also lies in the qualifications and integrity of the people who have served within the system” (228). Trachtman does not agree with most of the Justices, yet he knows that there is no way to reduce the bias in the system. Whenever people decide other’s fates, there tends to be a lot of controversy.
In class, we saw the documentary Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore, which talks about the second amendment giving it a liberal perspective. That documentary reminded me of the case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) which is a case about the right to bear arms. The second amendment is one of the most controversial cases because a large number of people support gun control while a fairly large number also oppose it. There are many questions such as “does the first clause govern the second clause, such that the framer only intended to provide that the government cannot disarm citizens who are part of organized militias?” (98). This case is about Dick Heller, who wanted to buy a gun for self defense because he lived in a bad area (District of Columbia). Dick Heller had no violence history, so one could suspect that he would only use it for self defense. In the end, the Judge Stephen Breyer argued “that even if there is an individual right to own a gun, it’s not the same sort of right as free speech or free religion” (102). This reminded me how casually if it to buy a gun in some states, while in the District of Columbia, it was nearly impossible. Another case that is important is Kyllo v. United States (2001), which is about privacy in the High-Tech World. This case reminded me of the Dharun Ravi case because webcams and social media sites were used to help convict him. Although it doesn’t connect directly to what Ravi did, it connects in the sense that the government can use technology to find out more information that necessary. The main question that frightens a lot of Americans is “What happens if, using the latest electronic and computer capabilities, the authorities can look inside your home without even getting close to your from door, and without even knowing that they are in the neighborhood?” (177).
Michael G. Trachtman did not have as much bias as one would think for someone who has a practiced law firm in Pennsylvania and the author of many political science books. Instead he presented the facts and only the facts in the book. He gave an in-depth incite of the troubles that arouse in the United States. Trachtman’s only visible bias is toward the Justices on the United States Supreme Court. He states that the “Supreme Court is itself made up of men and women who may seek to substitute their own views for the Constitution’s mandates and even when acting in the utmost good faith, their actions are colored by their own foibles, backgrounds and opinions” (227). He is saying that it is nearly impossible for the judges to decide anything that does not have any influence on their own lives. He knows that nobody is perfect, but he thinks that there is too much uncertainty in the Supreme Court in which was the Justices would act. A question that he asks is “How can a country, let alone a Judicial system, function when that which the highest court in the land finds to be constitutional certainty one day and become constitutional anachronism on the next” (228). To add on, he thinks that the Supreme Court are highly looked upon, yet their decisions aren’t always the best for the country. He believes that the “reason for this success lies not just in the design of the system; it also lies in the qualifications and integrity of the people who have served within the system” (228). Trachtman does not agree with most of the Justices, yet he knows that there is no way to reduce the bias in the system. Whenever people decide other’s fates, there tends to be a lot of controversy.
November 27, 2021
I may be a nerd when I say the judicial branch is my favorite branch, but it’s true! I really loved this book. It was easy to understand the court cases I needed to know, and I loved learning more about the government too!
September 21, 2020
Provides a primer into the "Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life". It doesn't ever go too deep into one case but instead safely glides over that influential court case which allows you, the reader, to get a grand tour over the most influential cases. It's up to you to do a bit more digging.
I'm surprised at how some of the seemingly legally established practices In America, the right to a public defender in the case you can't afford a private defense lawyer, the Miranda rights (which are a Hollywood staple) and the right to burn the American flag in protests, are not that old in terms of time. The law is constantly evolving.
That also goes to show how just any five justices at any one time can overrule the wishes of the elected Congressman and Senator to a nation of more than 300 million. Because the justices had interpreted the Constitution in this light or that light. No army enforces their decision, just a shared belief in the sacrosanctness in the Constitution. I hope that never fades.
I'm surprised at how some of the seemingly legally established practices In America, the right to a public defender in the case you can't afford a private defense lawyer, the Miranda rights (which are a Hollywood staple) and the right to burn the American flag in protests, are not that old in terms of time. The law is constantly evolving.
That also goes to show how just any five justices at any one time can overrule the wishes of the elected Congressman and Senator to a nation of more than 300 million. Because the justices had interpreted the Constitution in this light or that light. No army enforces their decision, just a shared belief in the sacrosanctness in the Constitution. I hope that never fades.
April 15, 2019
I read this to satiate my Supremes thirst.
I wanted a book to serve as a reference and overview of the Court’s most “important” decisions. What I was looking for was a survey of jurisprudential literacy.
And this is what this book is. I’m glad I read it.
I gave it three stars, however, only because its analyses of the casework and quotations from the majority and dissenting opinions is scant.
I know this seems like punishing a text for being what it claims to be. How much deep legal scholarship can be expected (I don’t mean this pejoratively) from a book about this institution called The Supremes’ Greatest Hits? My answer? More than this provides!
Let it be said that this book does an excellent job fully delivering on its subtitle’s implied promise: “The 44 Court Cases That Most Affect Your Life.” Trachtman’s explanations are always entertaining and informative.
I wanted a book to serve as a reference and overview of the Court’s most “important” decisions. What I was looking for was a survey of jurisprudential literacy.
And this is what this book is. I’m glad I read it.
I gave it three stars, however, only because its analyses of the casework and quotations from the majority and dissenting opinions is scant.
I know this seems like punishing a text for being what it claims to be. How much deep legal scholarship can be expected (I don’t mean this pejoratively) from a book about this institution called The Supremes’ Greatest Hits? My answer? More than this provides!
Let it be said that this book does an excellent job fully delivering on its subtitle’s implied promise: “The 44 Court Cases That Most Affect Your Life.” Trachtman’s explanations are always entertaining and informative.
September 6, 2020
Read as an assignment for my AP GOPO class but overall very interesting at times but also very boring at times and I would get lost and be confused as to what was happening. But overall really interesting and if you are at all interested in the government and laws and their impact on you specifically I recommend you give this book a read.
May 13, 2012
Kelly O’Loughlin 4B
Michael G. Trachtman’s nonfiction book, The Supreme’s Greatest Hits: The 37 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life, is a compilation of the most crucial court cases whose results we encounter in our everyday American lives. Trachtman divides the cases up into chapters based on their general topic, with each chapter including a few or several cases. He begins with describing all of the aspects of the Supreme Court and explaining its importance, tasks, and origin. Trachtman manages to give a quick summation of each amendment, which allows for a reference and foundation for the cases to follow.
The first chapter is titled “How The Supreme Court Became So Supreme” and it contains the cases Marbury v. Madison and Dred Scott v. Sandford, which are the two cases that started it all. The first established the rights and jobs of the Supreme Court as well as the overall checks and balances of the branch of government. The second, however, served as a case with a negative connotation, questioning whether the Supreme Court did, in fact, initiate the Civil War. The Dred Scott case essentially approved of slavery even in the states that had outlawed it, which ignited the flame that led to the chain of events that ended in the Civil War. The second chapter deals with court cases having to do with a prevalent cause of debate even today in our country, the separation of church and state. Engel v. Vitale served as the case that did not give schools the constitutional right to have students recite a prayer in school. Epperson v. Arkansas, however, established that schools in America cannot teach Creationism, but are allowed to teach a theory called “Intelligent Design” which touches on theories in the gray area between Creationism and Evolution. Also, while in Van Orden v. Perry, a Ten Commandments monument was able to remain in a town square because it was part of a bigger display containing both religious and secular topics, in McCreary County, Kentucky v. ACLU of Kentucky, the town was forced to remove a Ten Commandments sign that appeared to only endorse the commandment for the religion’s purpose and endorsement.
The next chapter contains a case that we hear about all the time without even realizing, Miranda v. Arizona. This case is the very case that established our Miranda Rights, or the rights that police officers are required to recite to us as we are being arrested. Trachtman reinforces the point that this case ultimately represents our privilege against self-incrimination. The next includes the cases involving discrimination and whether it should be tolerated in schools (Brown v. Board of Education¬) or private clubs/organizations (Boy Scouts of America v. Dale). One chapter discusses cases that involve our personal rights from the unwritten right of privacy in the Constitution (Griswold v. Connecticut) to a woman’s right to an abortion (Roe v. Wade) to someone’s right to die (Washington v. Glucksberg). The rest of the cases include cases involving anything from Nixon’s Watergate Scandal to President Barack Obama’s overall involvement with the Supreme Court. Trachtman touches on all aspects of each case and allows for easy understanding of why the cases are so significant and necessary in Americans’ everyday lives.
“The debate specifically over Roe [v. Wade] is… a debate over whether the ability to obtain an abortion should be made easier or more difficult, or should be made to depend on a woman’s financial circumstances, or should be made to depend on geography” (94). This quote relates to a debate we had in class during our game where we set up a political party scale and see where we fall depending on our view on certain topics. Clearly, this is not just a debate we staged in class but a debate being held around the world, every second of every day. If Roe v. Wade is reversed, abortion will not be illegal but the state will be able to permit or not permit abortion to their choosing. However, if the state is split on this and some states forbid abortions while others continue to permit them, this could create a chaos in America. The repercussions would cause women to not have access to abortions if they happen to live in a state where they are not legal, and some women may not have the financial or geographical advantages to allow them to travel to another state where it is legal. This controversial debate will most likely continue on for decades and maybe even centuries, as the government struggles to find the line between morally wrong and unconstitutional.
In the Brandenburg v. Ohio case, “the Court ruled that ‘mere advocacy’ is free speech protected by the First Amendment and it cannot be punished – even when the speaker is advocating the use of force or the violation of the law” (153). We had watched a video in class based on the Ku Klux Klan and, although we did not discuss this Supreme Court case that gave them the protection to practice such a repugnant organization, the question posed in each of our minds was 'how is this legal?’. Our video showed all of the horrendous things the KKK does and says during their meetings as well as during their everyday lives, and reading the details of this case allows me to understand that they are in fact protected by the Constitution, no matter how insane and morally wrong their “speech” is. In the last chapter discussing President Obama and the Supreme Court, Trachtman writes, “It is clear from his statements and writings that President Obama will use his expertise to seek judicial liberals” (200). This directly relates to a conversation we had in class the other day about how Obama would ideally like to appoint all liberal Justices in order to allow his views to be supported by some of Congress, because he does not have the support of the Senate as it is more Republican.
Michael G. Trachtman constructed this book with no biases. He simply explained the cases from neutral points of view, and told the reader the details, decision, and repercussions of those rulings. Trachtman did an excellent job of keeping his personal opinions of the case hidden from the text and filling the gaps with every possible point of view and each side that could be taken. When discussing the result of Washington v. Glycksberg, Trachtman writes “whether or not you have the right to die through assisted suicide will, for the foreseeable future, depend on where you live” (96). He states the results of an extremely personal and heated U.S. debate without including any personal beliefs or bias wording. Also, Trachtman tends to pose thought-provoking questions that apply to both sides of the political spectrum. For example, Trachtman writes, “Does the eighteenth-century concept of “free speech” have meaning to the twenty-first-century Internet? And what happens if the Constitution turns out to be an ancient round peg that simply will not fit into a modern square hole?” (171). He allows the reader to continue to hold his or her own belief while still playing the devil’s advocate and questioning their reasons for believing in one way or the other. All in all, Trachtman is certainly “team Supreme” in supporting the Supreme Court’s decision-making process and reasoning. So, if being in favor of the Supreme Court and everything it stands for can be considered a bias, I suppose Trachtman is guilty. He goes on to state in the last chapter that “thankfully, the Supreme Court undertook the daunting task of interpreting the Constitution’s often-vague and arcane language in order to define the laws and policies that make us who we are” (188). He infers his empathy for its pressures when critiquing its decisions and stresses the difficulty of its responsibility while praising its accomplishments.
Michael G. Trachtman’s nonfiction book, The Supreme’s Greatest Hits: The 37 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life, is a compilation of the most crucial court cases whose results we encounter in our everyday American lives. Trachtman divides the cases up into chapters based on their general topic, with each chapter including a few or several cases. He begins with describing all of the aspects of the Supreme Court and explaining its importance, tasks, and origin. Trachtman manages to give a quick summation of each amendment, which allows for a reference and foundation for the cases to follow.
The first chapter is titled “How The Supreme Court Became So Supreme” and it contains the cases Marbury v. Madison and Dred Scott v. Sandford, which are the two cases that started it all. The first established the rights and jobs of the Supreme Court as well as the overall checks and balances of the branch of government. The second, however, served as a case with a negative connotation, questioning whether the Supreme Court did, in fact, initiate the Civil War. The Dred Scott case essentially approved of slavery even in the states that had outlawed it, which ignited the flame that led to the chain of events that ended in the Civil War. The second chapter deals with court cases having to do with a prevalent cause of debate even today in our country, the separation of church and state. Engel v. Vitale served as the case that did not give schools the constitutional right to have students recite a prayer in school. Epperson v. Arkansas, however, established that schools in America cannot teach Creationism, but are allowed to teach a theory called “Intelligent Design” which touches on theories in the gray area between Creationism and Evolution. Also, while in Van Orden v. Perry, a Ten Commandments monument was able to remain in a town square because it was part of a bigger display containing both religious and secular topics, in McCreary County, Kentucky v. ACLU of Kentucky, the town was forced to remove a Ten Commandments sign that appeared to only endorse the commandment for the religion’s purpose and endorsement.
The next chapter contains a case that we hear about all the time without even realizing, Miranda v. Arizona. This case is the very case that established our Miranda Rights, or the rights that police officers are required to recite to us as we are being arrested. Trachtman reinforces the point that this case ultimately represents our privilege against self-incrimination. The next includes the cases involving discrimination and whether it should be tolerated in schools (Brown v. Board of Education¬) or private clubs/organizations (Boy Scouts of America v. Dale). One chapter discusses cases that involve our personal rights from the unwritten right of privacy in the Constitution (Griswold v. Connecticut) to a woman’s right to an abortion (Roe v. Wade) to someone’s right to die (Washington v. Glucksberg). The rest of the cases include cases involving anything from Nixon’s Watergate Scandal to President Barack Obama’s overall involvement with the Supreme Court. Trachtman touches on all aspects of each case and allows for easy understanding of why the cases are so significant and necessary in Americans’ everyday lives.
“The debate specifically over Roe [v. Wade] is… a debate over whether the ability to obtain an abortion should be made easier or more difficult, or should be made to depend on a woman’s financial circumstances, or should be made to depend on geography” (94). This quote relates to a debate we had in class during our game where we set up a political party scale and see where we fall depending on our view on certain topics. Clearly, this is not just a debate we staged in class but a debate being held around the world, every second of every day. If Roe v. Wade is reversed, abortion will not be illegal but the state will be able to permit or not permit abortion to their choosing. However, if the state is split on this and some states forbid abortions while others continue to permit them, this could create a chaos in America. The repercussions would cause women to not have access to abortions if they happen to live in a state where they are not legal, and some women may not have the financial or geographical advantages to allow them to travel to another state where it is legal. This controversial debate will most likely continue on for decades and maybe even centuries, as the government struggles to find the line between morally wrong and unconstitutional.
In the Brandenburg v. Ohio case, “the Court ruled that ‘mere advocacy’ is free speech protected by the First Amendment and it cannot be punished – even when the speaker is advocating the use of force or the violation of the law” (153). We had watched a video in class based on the Ku Klux Klan and, although we did not discuss this Supreme Court case that gave them the protection to practice such a repugnant organization, the question posed in each of our minds was 'how is this legal?’. Our video showed all of the horrendous things the KKK does and says during their meetings as well as during their everyday lives, and reading the details of this case allows me to understand that they are in fact protected by the Constitution, no matter how insane and morally wrong their “speech” is. In the last chapter discussing President Obama and the Supreme Court, Trachtman writes, “It is clear from his statements and writings that President Obama will use his expertise to seek judicial liberals” (200). This directly relates to a conversation we had in class the other day about how Obama would ideally like to appoint all liberal Justices in order to allow his views to be supported by some of Congress, because he does not have the support of the Senate as it is more Republican.
Michael G. Trachtman constructed this book with no biases. He simply explained the cases from neutral points of view, and told the reader the details, decision, and repercussions of those rulings. Trachtman did an excellent job of keeping his personal opinions of the case hidden from the text and filling the gaps with every possible point of view and each side that could be taken. When discussing the result of Washington v. Glycksberg, Trachtman writes “whether or not you have the right to die through assisted suicide will, for the foreseeable future, depend on where you live” (96). He states the results of an extremely personal and heated U.S. debate without including any personal beliefs or bias wording. Also, Trachtman tends to pose thought-provoking questions that apply to both sides of the political spectrum. For example, Trachtman writes, “Does the eighteenth-century concept of “free speech” have meaning to the twenty-first-century Internet? And what happens if the Constitution turns out to be an ancient round peg that simply will not fit into a modern square hole?” (171). He allows the reader to continue to hold his or her own belief while still playing the devil’s advocate and questioning their reasons for believing in one way or the other. All in all, Trachtman is certainly “team Supreme” in supporting the Supreme Court’s decision-making process and reasoning. So, if being in favor of the Supreme Court and everything it stands for can be considered a bias, I suppose Trachtman is guilty. He goes on to state in the last chapter that “thankfully, the Supreme Court undertook the daunting task of interpreting the Constitution’s often-vague and arcane language in order to define the laws and policies that make us who we are” (188). He infers his empathy for its pressures when critiquing its decisions and stresses the difficulty of its responsibility while praising its accomplishments.
November 28, 2019
Michael Trachtman Scores Supremely with His 2nd Revised and Updated Edition
By Jules Mermelstein, Esq.
Review of The Supremes’ Greatest Hits: The 44 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life by Michael G. Trachtman
Our fellow Montgomery Bar member, Michael G. Trachtman, founding member of Powell Trachtman Logan Carrle & Lombardo, has updated his book about the 44 Supreme Court cases he considers the most important.
Mea culpa: I had not read his prior editions.
Mr. Trachtman has a knack of taking complicated legal issues and expressing both sides of those issues in plain English. If I were still teaching high school government or a college constitutional law class, I would use this book extensively.
The 44 cases are divided among 10 chapters Mr. Trachtman arranged by topic. As one might expect, his first chapter is “How the Supreme Court Became Supreme” dealing, of course, with Marbury v. Madison. An interesting inclusion in that chapter is Dred Scott v. Sandford, occuring 54 years after Marbury and being only the second time the Court declared a law unconstitutional.
As Trachtman points out, many historians believe that Dred Scott precipitated the Civil War. However, that’s not why it is included in this chapter.
As we all remember from our study of Constitutional Law, Chief Justice Marshall wrote the Marbury decision in such a way that if President Jefferson opposed the concept of the Supreme Court having final say over the constitutionality of laws, he would then lose the case. In Dred Scott, Abraham Lincoln had no such restriction. He could have said that the Supreme Court does not have the final say and ignored the decision. Although the decision was overruled by the 13th and 14th Amendments, the lingering importance is that Abraham Lincoln considered Dred Scott to be the final say until amendments could be passed to overrule it (which Lincoln did not live to see), effectively recognizing what Justice Robert H. Jackson said almost 100 years after Lincoln: “We are not final because we are infallible, but we are infallible because we are final.”
Trachtman’s second chapter deals with cases regarding how much of a separation there needs to be between church and state. Of particular importance for layman in this chapter is Trachtman’s pointing out that no court decision has “kicked God out of our public schools” but it has drawn a line between state agents (including teachers and administrators) leading prayer or bible reading as opposed to student-initiated religious clubs and activities.
His third chapter discusses the cases that put the Constitution’s protection of the rights of criminal defendants into practice by police and the courts. He opens this chapter with a sentence that also applies to my prior review of The New Jim Crow - “Our Founding Fathers were mindful of the penchant of monarchs to charge persons with false crimes as a means of political oppression and social control.” That, in a plain English one-sentence summary, is the reasoning behind our rights if we become criminal defendants.
Trachtman’s fourth chapter deals with issues related to race, such as discrimination and diversity. As the diversity distinctions stand on 5-4 decisions, he points out that they could change with Court appointments.
His fifth chapter deals with politics. Again, Trachtman summarizes the importance of the issue in plain English to begin the chapter - “Democracies gather legitimacy from the perception that their elections are fairly administered and free from undue influence. History documents that if the electoral process loses credibility, the fabric of a democracy quickly unravels.” This chapter deals with Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission and Bush v. Gore, and their progeny.
As Trachtman points out, Citizens United was judicial activism by overturning close to 100 years of jurisprudence, including a Supreme Court decision just 7 years earlier. In this decision, the majority declared that corporations have the constitutional right of free speech, and went on to declare unconstitutional the bipartisan, delicately built, restrictions that Congress had imposed on corporations. One of the important issues in this decision, as well as in Bush v. Gore deals with the lineup of justices in such a way that it appeared to the public that decisions were being made based on partisan preferences rather than a dispassionate reading of the Constitution as it applies to the facts. The Court depends on its reputation as being non-political and both of these decisions hurt that reputation.
The sixth chapter deals with government’s role in our private lives. Appropriately, Trachtman begins with Griswold v. Connecticut, when the Court first recognized a right of privacy. Included in this chapter are the rights to have an abortion, to die, to bear arms, and to marry. The importance of these cases is summarized by the Justice William O. Douglas quote Trachtman begins the chapter with - “The right to be let alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom.”
With his seventh chapter, Trachtman delves into government’s rights - to regulate, to eminent domain, and whether they, and their agents, may be sued.
Chapter eight deals with limits on presidential powers. The quote Trachtman chooses to begin this discussion is President Nixon’s infamous statement, “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.” This statement coincides with centuries of English law prior to the Magna Carta (1215). Since then, there have been limits on the head of state in English and American jurisprudence. In the United States, these limits are decided by the Supreme Court. Included in this chapter, in addition to United States v. Nixon, are the steel seizure case (Truman) and the cases involving the rules of war.
Free speech is the subject of chapter nine. Appropriately, Trachtman chooses a quote from George Orwell to begin this chapter - “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” Cases in this chapter deal with the difference between advocacy and action, obscenity, actions that can be considered speech, the freedom to criticize public figures and public officials, and whether the public has a right to know.
Chapter ten deals with how technology affects our rights. Copyright, privacy and what constitutes a “search” are issues that technology, such as the internet, has presented. And, as always, it is up the our Supreme Court to apply the Constitution to developing technology.
I highly recommend this book, especially for those of you, like me, who love Constitutional Law.
By Jules Mermelstein, Esq.
Review of The Supremes’ Greatest Hits: The 44 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life by Michael G. Trachtman
Our fellow Montgomery Bar member, Michael G. Trachtman, founding member of Powell Trachtman Logan Carrle & Lombardo, has updated his book about the 44 Supreme Court cases he considers the most important.
Mea culpa: I had not read his prior editions.
Mr. Trachtman has a knack of taking complicated legal issues and expressing both sides of those issues in plain English. If I were still teaching high school government or a college constitutional law class, I would use this book extensively.
The 44 cases are divided among 10 chapters Mr. Trachtman arranged by topic. As one might expect, his first chapter is “How the Supreme Court Became Supreme” dealing, of course, with Marbury v. Madison. An interesting inclusion in that chapter is Dred Scott v. Sandford, occuring 54 years after Marbury and being only the second time the Court declared a law unconstitutional.
As Trachtman points out, many historians believe that Dred Scott precipitated the Civil War. However, that’s not why it is included in this chapter.
As we all remember from our study of Constitutional Law, Chief Justice Marshall wrote the Marbury decision in such a way that if President Jefferson opposed the concept of the Supreme Court having final say over the constitutionality of laws, he would then lose the case. In Dred Scott, Abraham Lincoln had no such restriction. He could have said that the Supreme Court does not have the final say and ignored the decision. Although the decision was overruled by the 13th and 14th Amendments, the lingering importance is that Abraham Lincoln considered Dred Scott to be the final say until amendments could be passed to overrule it (which Lincoln did not live to see), effectively recognizing what Justice Robert H. Jackson said almost 100 years after Lincoln: “We are not final because we are infallible, but we are infallible because we are final.”
Trachtman’s second chapter deals with cases regarding how much of a separation there needs to be between church and state. Of particular importance for layman in this chapter is Trachtman’s pointing out that no court decision has “kicked God out of our public schools” but it has drawn a line between state agents (including teachers and administrators) leading prayer or bible reading as opposed to student-initiated religious clubs and activities.
His third chapter discusses the cases that put the Constitution’s protection of the rights of criminal defendants into practice by police and the courts. He opens this chapter with a sentence that also applies to my prior review of The New Jim Crow - “Our Founding Fathers were mindful of the penchant of monarchs to charge persons with false crimes as a means of political oppression and social control.” That, in a plain English one-sentence summary, is the reasoning behind our rights if we become criminal defendants.
Trachtman’s fourth chapter deals with issues related to race, such as discrimination and diversity. As the diversity distinctions stand on 5-4 decisions, he points out that they could change with Court appointments.
His fifth chapter deals with politics. Again, Trachtman summarizes the importance of the issue in plain English to begin the chapter - “Democracies gather legitimacy from the perception that their elections are fairly administered and free from undue influence. History documents that if the electoral process loses credibility, the fabric of a democracy quickly unravels.” This chapter deals with Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission and Bush v. Gore, and their progeny.
As Trachtman points out, Citizens United was judicial activism by overturning close to 100 years of jurisprudence, including a Supreme Court decision just 7 years earlier. In this decision, the majority declared that corporations have the constitutional right of free speech, and went on to declare unconstitutional the bipartisan, delicately built, restrictions that Congress had imposed on corporations. One of the important issues in this decision, as well as in Bush v. Gore deals with the lineup of justices in such a way that it appeared to the public that decisions were being made based on partisan preferences rather than a dispassionate reading of the Constitution as it applies to the facts. The Court depends on its reputation as being non-political and both of these decisions hurt that reputation.
The sixth chapter deals with government’s role in our private lives. Appropriately, Trachtman begins with Griswold v. Connecticut, when the Court first recognized a right of privacy. Included in this chapter are the rights to have an abortion, to die, to bear arms, and to marry. The importance of these cases is summarized by the Justice William O. Douglas quote Trachtman begins the chapter with - “The right to be let alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom.”
With his seventh chapter, Trachtman delves into government’s rights - to regulate, to eminent domain, and whether they, and their agents, may be sued.
Chapter eight deals with limits on presidential powers. The quote Trachtman chooses to begin this discussion is President Nixon’s infamous statement, “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.” This statement coincides with centuries of English law prior to the Magna Carta (1215). Since then, there have been limits on the head of state in English and American jurisprudence. In the United States, these limits are decided by the Supreme Court. Included in this chapter, in addition to United States v. Nixon, are the steel seizure case (Truman) and the cases involving the rules of war.
Free speech is the subject of chapter nine. Appropriately, Trachtman chooses a quote from George Orwell to begin this chapter - “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” Cases in this chapter deal with the difference between advocacy and action, obscenity, actions that can be considered speech, the freedom to criticize public figures and public officials, and whether the public has a right to know.
Chapter ten deals with how technology affects our rights. Copyright, privacy and what constitutes a “search” are issues that technology, such as the internet, has presented. And, as always, it is up the our Supreme Court to apply the Constitution to developing technology.
I highly recommend this book, especially for those of you, like me, who love Constitutional Law.
March 9, 2023
The Supremes Greatest Hits
No, it’s not a book about a 60s Motown group. It’s about the Supreme Court. And the greatest hits are the 34 Supreme Court decisions that most affect American life.
Author Michael Trachtman has a gift that’s rare among experts. He can take a complex subject and make it relatable. Here he organizes the 44 decisions into 10 chapters. Each is a story that places the court cases he presents in proper context. So, the chapter on privacy rights includes both Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade. The rights of suspects in criminal cases are captured in a chapter that includes both Miranda v. Arizona and Gideon v. Wainwright.
I am not a lawyer or historian (although history is a topic I am obsessive about). Nevertheless I was able to comprehend each of the cases, the Justices’ positions on them; and the social impact of each case. The author has a bias which shows up implicitly from time to time. It’s not overbearing and it doesn’t detract or distract from the central theme of the book. Mostly, he decries the series of 5-4 decisions that have had the most impact in the last 20 years or so. He rightly points out that whether a law passed by Congress or an interpretation about such a law shouldn’t come down to the opinion of one person on the court.
Trachtman begins the book with a chapter titled “How the Supremes Became Supreme. It’s a little bit of constitutional history that most of us missed in school. And it provides some great context as the story of America begins. The book would have benefited from a final chapter that was similar in nature—a perspective from someone who has studied constitutional law. Alas, that was missing, and its absence is my only complaint about the book.
No, it’s not a book about a 60s Motown group. It’s about the Supreme Court. And the greatest hits are the 34 Supreme Court decisions that most affect American life.
Author Michael Trachtman has a gift that’s rare among experts. He can take a complex subject and make it relatable. Here he organizes the 44 decisions into 10 chapters. Each is a story that places the court cases he presents in proper context. So, the chapter on privacy rights includes both Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade. The rights of suspects in criminal cases are captured in a chapter that includes both Miranda v. Arizona and Gideon v. Wainwright.
I am not a lawyer or historian (although history is a topic I am obsessive about). Nevertheless I was able to comprehend each of the cases, the Justices’ positions on them; and the social impact of each case. The author has a bias which shows up implicitly from time to time. It’s not overbearing and it doesn’t detract or distract from the central theme of the book. Mostly, he decries the series of 5-4 decisions that have had the most impact in the last 20 years or so. He rightly points out that whether a law passed by Congress or an interpretation about such a law shouldn’t come down to the opinion of one person on the court.
Trachtman begins the book with a chapter titled “How the Supremes Became Supreme. It’s a little bit of constitutional history that most of us missed in school. And it provides some great context as the story of America begins. The book would have benefited from a final chapter that was similar in nature—a perspective from someone who has studied constitutional law. Alas, that was missing, and its absence is my only complaint about the book.
November 30, 2020
So one of my interests is law, specifically constitutional law, and I’m a nerd about the Supreme Court. I found this to be a great read as an introduction to the role that the Supreme Court plays in the United States and how, until recently, it was extremely overlooked. Most Americans know little, if anything, about how the Supreme Court functions and who is on it. While this book won’t give an in-depth history it is the perfect place to start. In fact, I wish I had heard about this book years ago, it would have made the learning curve a lot easier.
In this book you are introduced to a number of cases (they grow in each edition) that affect your lifestyle most directly. One thing I greatly appreciated was the balanced approach the author takes to many of these cases. Outside of cases that are nearly universally reviled today, like the Dredd Scott case, he doesn’t take a side. He just presents the reader with the facts, the arguments, and the outcome. This book brought a few new cases to light and reminded me of other ones that I would have rather forgotten. Kelo v. City of New London, and New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, anyone?
I think the only thing this book misses as an introductory text is a chapter, perhaps in the introductory part of the book, explaining the basic judicial philosophies. To my recollection it only gets a paragraph. This may go over the heads of some readers, but I think the author writes in a manner friendly to the layman that he could easily present them without too many glazed eyes staring back at him. All in all, well worth the read if you’re interested in politics or the Supreme Court (which you should be.)
In this book you are introduced to a number of cases (they grow in each edition) that affect your lifestyle most directly. One thing I greatly appreciated was the balanced approach the author takes to many of these cases. Outside of cases that are nearly universally reviled today, like the Dredd Scott case, he doesn’t take a side. He just presents the reader with the facts, the arguments, and the outcome. This book brought a few new cases to light and reminded me of other ones that I would have rather forgotten. Kelo v. City of New London, and New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, anyone?
I think the only thing this book misses as an introductory text is a chapter, perhaps in the introductory part of the book, explaining the basic judicial philosophies. To my recollection it only gets a paragraph. This may go over the heads of some readers, but I think the author writes in a manner friendly to the layman that he could easily present them without too many glazed eyes staring back at him. All in all, well worth the read if you’re interested in politics or the Supreme Court (which you should be.)
January 26, 2025
Michael G. Trachtman's _The Supremes' Greatest Hits_ describes 34 landmark Supreme Court decisions throughout US history that have shaped the culture. Written in a simple, engaging, accessible style, Trachtman ably explains the basic facts and cultural significance of Supreme Court decisions that have changed the course of history. Trachtman illustrates how the Court, at times, has shifted in some areas with the culture at large; while at other times, it has been at the forefront of cultural change. He steers a difficult "middle ground" course as he discusses many more recent cases, which would be easy to view only through "liberal" or "conservative" lenses, depending on the make-up of the Court at the particular times of those rulings.
I enjoyed the book; it was valuable to me to dig into the "meat" of certain cases that had only been "bones" for me prior to reading. I have gained a deeper grasp of the frailty and flaws of the Court, but even more, an appreciation for the enduring strength of my government's system of checks and balances, including, importantly, a strong, wise Supreme Court.
I enjoyed the book; it was valuable to me to dig into the "meat" of certain cases that had only been "bones" for me prior to reading. I have gained a deeper grasp of the frailty and flaws of the Court, but even more, an appreciation for the enduring strength of my government's system of checks and balances, including, importantly, a strong, wise Supreme Court.
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January 19, 2021Excellent history book, which does exactly what it says on the tin. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who wants to learn about the basics of American constitutional law, and the history thereof, and wants a nice, pop-history introduction, rather than having to trog through a dense textbook. Skip the last chapter though, it drops the historical theme of the rest of the book, and instead consists entirely of the author's speculation about where the Supreme Court "is going" peppered with a bit of his personal philosophy on the matter. Since this book was written during the Obama administration, and in the menatime four of the nine justices in power have died and been replaced, all of this speculation ends up being completely fucking pointless to a modern reader.
November 15, 2021
This is an interesting book and one that came out in 2026. There are a lot of interesting comments that are stated in the book that are occurring now and I am sure cases will be heard in the following years. A couple examples of his comments and court cases decided are the following:
How much power does the President have? Are all his executive orders legal?
Can a religious belief negate a legal requirement?
Can one race or nationality be favored over another in the name of diversity? Should your race ever matter? Can colleges and university admit lower test scores owners while still promoting diversity?
Fair elections, how much public money or involvement should be allowed during election process?
How much power does the President have? Are all his executive orders legal?
Can a religious belief negate a legal requirement?
Can one race or nationality be favored over another in the name of diversity? Should your race ever matter? Can colleges and university admit lower test scores owners while still promoting diversity?
Fair elections, how much public money or involvement should be allowed during election process?
June 23, 2024
This was a quick read and most certainly just barely skimmed the cases that are mentioned. Since it's publication, there are of course more landmark cases that affect the lives of anyone in the US.
It was comprehensive, but I did find it to focus on certain things too much (political campaigning rulings) while other cases were just barely mentioned.
The book ended so abruptly, I actually thought that I was missing part of it.
Overall, it is a good starting point for important Supreme Court cases.
It was comprehensive, but I did find it to focus on certain things too much (political campaigning rulings) while other cases were just barely mentioned.
The book ended so abruptly, I actually thought that I was missing part of it.
Overall, it is a good starting point for important Supreme Court cases.
August 3, 2019
This is an excellent introduction to some of the most important SCOTUS cases and their effects. Trachtman has to cover each case quickly, but he does an excellent job of breaking down the issues involved and why the decision went the way it did. He also shows trends in the court, how its makeup affected the rulings and the reasons for dissent. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to understand how the SCOTUS works and how it has affected the rights we have in this country.
August 18, 2019
The 37 most important cases in Supreme Court history are covered in 230 short and relatively easy to read pages. Written by a lawyer for non-lawyers, the book gives the reader an overview of the cases that shape the modern field of law, as well as providing insights on the current (as of 2005 or so) state of the law, politics and the court. While you won't get the depth you would see in a textbook, you can actually read this book cover to cover and enjoy it. A good read.
January 6, 2022
This book was fun and interesting, but mostly I appreciated that the author wrote a second edition of a Supreme Court book so it wouldn't be as outdated. That was a girlboss move. It didn't work, though, because this book considers it extremely unlikely that John Roberts and the four liberal justices would be the majority in a 5-4 opinion, which is just how 5-4 opinions worked from the years 2017 to 2020.
January 13, 2020
Michael gives a simple and curated list of court cases that all Americans have been affected by. I thought the list was well-selected and the synopsis for each case easily understandable. For someone who does not know much about American law, this book piqued my interest and made me want to learn much more. I would recommend this book to any new Learner's of Law.
June 16, 2023
I liked this book! The writer is clearly passionate about the subject matter. For me, certain cases are more appealing than others (the cases on criminal law were, for instance, more interesting than those about religious freedoms). Trachtman presents a good overview of major cases decided by the Supreme Court and their impact on our lives today.
June 26, 2017
I found this to be a handy little primer on how the Supreme Court came to be, how it works, and an overview of some of the most influential decisions that have been made. Plus, how can you not love the title?
January 4, 2024
I believe this book has several additions, adding cases each time. I both want, and don't want, to read future editions. The Supreme Court just keeps making awful decisions. I would like to read Mr. Trachtman's take on the newest cases.... but again, I wish he didn't have to write this book.
June 20, 2017
I am glad I read this, very clear, concise, and easy to understand. I understand much more about constitutional law and the supreme court now.
July 10, 2022
Slay moment I kept this book for too long and loved it
January 3, 2024
A good read and informative for its original publication year although out-dated now.
January 29, 2024
Very good! Enjoyed all of it. Should be required reading in American Government courses.
December 2, 2024
Even after 3 years of law school and taking 2 bars, very interesting. Well written and easy to follow.
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