ePub Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirshman in History

Review

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful. Justices O'Connor and Ginsburg and the history and law they madeBy Ronald H. ClarkThis book turned out to offer much greater rewards than I had anticipated. I had thought it was largely a dual biography of Justices O'Connor and Ginsburg. And to be sure; there is a good solid amount of biographical analysis present here. But there is so much more as well. Primarily; the book is also a comprehensive history of the legal fights to achieve women's equality. The author; a law school grad with a Ph.D. as well; is quite well versed in this material. So be advised to expect a good deal of detailed legal analysis that goes along with the biographical material.Much of the early portion of this nearly 400 page book is devoted to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her pioneering and lonely fight to attack legal discrimination against women beginning around 1970. Ginsburg; who directed the ACLU's Women's Rights Project (initially while teaching at Rutgers Law School; later a Columbia) chose to follow a "careful incremental strategy." Cases were carefully selected in order to develop a doctrinal bridge to the final goal. This is just one of the ways in which Ginsburg resembled Thurgood Marshall's strategy in the civil rights cases. Her ultimate goal was to get the Supreme Court to equate sex discrimination with race discrimination and apply the corresponding strict legal tests when evaluating claims of sexual discrimination. The author discusses the early major cases; including Reed v. Reed; Frontiero v. Richardson; and Kahn v. Shevlin. Interestingly enough; Ginsburg was not happy with the Roe v. Wade decision's reasoning; since she much preferred that it be based on a strict equality argument rather than the new right to privacy.While perhaps an overstatement; to me Ginsburg seems to be the heroine of the book while O'Connor stands somewhat in her shadow. Her background is carefully developed and it contrasts mightily with that of Ginsburg: conservative in upbringing and orientation; happy to spend much time in cooking and supporting her husband's career; her key experience being in the Arizona legislature; and not a militant supporter of women's equality to the extent of Ginsburg; The author does a fine job in recounting how she became the first woman on the Supreme Court thanks to Ronald Reagan. While O'Connor rises to the Supremes; Ginsburg eventually in 1980 is named to the D.C. Circuit; after many exertions by her famous tax lawyer husband; Martin Ginsburg.O'Connor's early years as the first and only woman on the Court are well recounted. She maneuvers around Burger; Blackmun and Rehnquist; and developed her technique of limiting major holdings to the specific facts of the cases; often imposing unclear standards such as "exceedingly persuasive justification" on confused lower court judges. Caution and compromise were her hallmarks. Meanwhile; Ginsburg continues fighting the battle for women's equality from the D.C. Circuit. Eventually; due to departures; O'Connor becomes the critical fifth vote and exploits her virtual control in many cases. When Bill Clinton puts Ginsburg on the Court in 1996; the narrative becomes especially interesting as the author traces the two female justices' early interactions; respective approaches to cases; agreements and disagreements. The discussions of the abortion cases during this period; and the VMI case; are particularly informative. When O'Connor leaves the Court in 2006--the situation clarified by the author--Ginsburg continues on alone until the arrival of Justices Sotomayor and Kagan; with a more conservative court due to substitution of Justice Alito for O'Connor.There are many strong points supporting the author's analysis. Her research is exhaustive; including interviews and correspondence; speeches and other published sources. She has made good use of Justice's papers; particularly Blackmun and Powell; to get an insider view of events. In that connection; she highlights the important role of female law clerks in persuading more conservative judges to adopt some of Ginsburg and O'Connor's arguments. This book represents part of a recent trend to focus attention on the life; work and contributions of Justice Ginsburg. See; e.g.; Scott Dodson (ed.); "The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg." At age 82; we don't know how long this amazing career will continue because the Justice has rejected calls that she step down so a younger liberal judge can replace her. When I have seen her at the Court; she seemed quite frail--I guess I'm not the first to underestimate the drive and raw intellectual power she brings to bear. More books on her are coming so we can learn even more about this remarkable lawyer and judge. This fine book will be a helpful introduction to both Justices who were so influential and pioneering.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Nice startBy Roger CarlsenNice start but after a bit became droning and repetitive. Yes; this is important but could become a slog.I listened to this while driving across country. But; for what ever reason I do not know; my wife and I decided independently and then together to change to a different Audible selection. The book needn't have been this long and tedious.38 of 43 people found the following review helpful. A must read for everyone who believes in equal rights!By Arlee ReachI reside in Phoenix; AZ; just received my Kindle edition of this epic publication - AND; listened to the Nina Totenberg interview with Linda Hirshman on NPR this morning! I had chills and tears in my eyes simultaneously...and I'm not one to well up easily...and; did I mention I live in Phoenix!? This is a monumental historical piece. One mandatory read for every home in America!!