THE LAW OF THE LAND A History of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is, in many ways, our nation's most important, and least understood, branch of government. The justices deliberate behind closed doors, and their actions are often controversial. Professor Kermit L. Hall's lectures provide an excellent introduction to the High Court, explaining how it has adapted and endured. Professor Hall's tone is straightforward and scholarly, and he presents the material in an interesting lecture style. Unlike some histories of the Court, Hall's does not focus exclusively on well-known decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, but also includes other equally important, but lower-profile, decisions. Professor Hall also considers the personalities of the justices, concluding with a discussion of "The 10 Greatest Justices," a lecture sure to inspire debate among legal scholars. D.J.S.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]