A tiny; ebullient Jew who started as America's leading liberal and ended as its most famous judicial conservative. A Klansman who became an absolutist advocate of free speech and civil rights. A backcountry lawyer who started off trying cases about cows and went on to conduct the most important international trial ever. A self-invented; tall-tale Westerner who narrowly missed the presidency but expanded individual freedom beyond what anyone before had dreamed. Four more different men could hardly be imagined. Yet they had certain things in common. Each was a self-made man who came from humble beginnings on the edge of poverty. Each had driving ambition and a will to succeed. Each was; in his own way; a genius. They began as close allies and friends of FDR; but the quest to shape a new Constitution led them to competition and sometimes outright warfare. SCORPIONS tells the story of these four great justices: their relationship with Roosevelt; with each other; and with the turbulent world of the Great Depression; World War II; and the Cold War. It also serves as a history of the modern Constitution itself.
#1053834 in Books 2015-05-05 2015-05-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .82 x 6.00l; 1.00 #File Name: 0425262545336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A heroic story of sacrifice; not particularly well told.By James SharpI grew up near Hero Street and its story and the story of the sacrifice of these Mexican-American families are important to me. The author's thorough research is clear. I found the writing to be quite cliched; and the background details that give context to be excessive and sometimes confusing. It is not a particularly well-written book; but it is a good book due to the story of these men and their families and I am glad the author took the time to research and write it. I recommend it to people interested in World War 2 or Mexican-American history and culture.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Heroism doesn't come cheaplyBy Dale Ray ThomasMany times we see a street sigh and wonder why that particular name was chosen. Who was that person? What did she do? What was he like? Read this book and learn why a short; simple stretch of asphalt came to be known as Hero Street.The author did a wonderful job interviewing friends and families of these eight men; telling the story of each from childhood to their time spent serving their country. They become more than names on a page. They become your neighbors. When they are lost to the neighborhood; you feel the loss too. They were men; not statistics. They left mothers; sweethearts; wives; babies; and friends. They will not be forgotten.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Gallant ghosts live again hereBy A.D. HopkinsCarlos Harrison brought the ghosts back to life; telling how so many from one poor neighborhood; despite the discrimination they faced in daily life; risked their lives in two wars for their adopted country. To help readers understand the great efforts in which these men fought; and many died; Harrison has carefully researched the relevant campaigns and battles; and explains several of them more clearly than I have seen anybody else do it. He wrote with sensitivity to the feelings of families and surviving veterans. I recommend it highly.
