Overview

The U.S. Supreme Court, its decisions, and its nominating process for new justices are often in the news ... but are just as often not well understood. Constitutional law professor David L. Hudson, Jr., explains the cases, processes, and important history with this in-depth primer on the U.S. Supreme Court. How has the Supreme Court justices' thinking on gun rights, abortion, free speech, freedom of religion, and many other controversial issues evolved? What were some of the court's most important and monumental decisions ... and failures? Which justices have-and have had-the most influence on the court? Has the nominating process always been so political and bitter? Covering the history, nominating process, and court decisions on individual and other rights as well as a few fun facts, The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book: The History and Issues Explained by David L. Hudson, Jr., J.D. provides you with 600 answers to questions such as ... How was the U.S. Supreme Court created? Under the Constitution, who appoints Supreme Court justices? Have any Supreme Court justices been impeached? Which president introduced an infamous court-packing plan in 1937? Which Supreme Court justice in the 20th century did not have a law degree? What are some suggestions for reforming the confirmation process? What did the Rehnquist Court decide in the 2000 presidential election? Why did Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissent in the Lily Ledbetter case? Which justice wrote that he couldn't define obscenity, but ""I know it when I see it""? When did the Supreme Court establish the so-called ""Miranda Rights""? How did the Supreme Court emphasize privacy protection for cell phone searches? How has the Supreme Court dealt with the death penalty for juveniles? In what infamous decision did the Supreme Court regard African Americans as slaves and property? When did the Supreme Court invalidate a ban on interracial marriages? Why was the decision in Roe v. Wade not the leading story in many newspapers on the date of its decision? Why, according to Justice Samuel Alito, was Roe such a bad decision? Why is interpreting the Second Amendment perhaps more of a challenge than other amendments in the Bill of Rights? Who was the only Supreme Court Justice to have signed the Declaration of Independence? Which Justice wrote a book about the United States as a Christian nation? Which Justice wrote a book on civil disobedience and protest? What Supreme Court justice was formerly a member of the Ku Klux Klan? What is the nickname of the Supreme Court Building? Which justice was nicknamed ""The Lone Ranger""? Analyzing controversial issues and various points of view, The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book sheds a light on the differing and changing interpretations of the critical issues before the court, as well as the confirmation process and some of the court's most important justices. Richly illustrated, it also has a helpful bibliography, glossary, and extensive index. Thoroughly updated since it was last published fifteen years ago, this invaluable resource will help you understand the rulings and importance of the U.S. Supreme Court!

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9781578598236

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Reviews

"“This clearly written guide reviews Supreme Court history, illuminates its procedures, highlights its ""rich tapestry of legal decisions,"" and offers straightforward commentary on how this comparatively secretive branch of American government serves to balance the power of Congress and the presidency. … This guide will make the Supreme Court and its workings accessible to secondary-school students and adults. In today's contentious political climate, it will help facilitate argumentation grounded in fact rather than emotion and is confidently recommended … clever guide will make the workings of the Supreme Court accessible …” – Booklist “… an introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court … The book covers the history, structure, and procedures of the U.S. Supreme Court, its major cases, and the confirmation process … Cases are divided into chapters by issues such as freedom of speech or religion, criminal justice, racial discrimination, gerrymandering, abortion, and gun rights. … The U.S. Supreme Court is increasingly in the news, but its workings and history are opaque. This recommended book can help clear things up.”—Library Journal “A tip of the hat goes to David L. Hudson Jr., author of the aptly named Handy Supreme Court Answer Book. Hudson, an ABA Journal freelancer and scholar at Vanderbilt University's First Amendment Center, produced an accessible history in Q&A format, replete with trivia: Which justice was in a duel? Who was the first law school grad?” – ABA Journal (on the previous edition “For a lay audience of inquisitive people, David Hudson Jr.'s Handy Supreme Court Answer Book is remarkably comprehensive and fascinating. Where else could you find out the identity of the tallest justice on the high court?” – Legal Times (on the previous edition) “For students, teachers, lawyers, and history buffs, this reference provides answer to many questions about the Supreme Court from its origins in 1789 to the present.” – Book News (on the previous edition) “This is a unique and useful book that provides readers with a broad understanding of the main judgments of all of the Supreme Courts, as well as including smaller details that made each court unique. This is a terrific title....” – Library Media Connection (on the previous edition) ""David Hudson's ""The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book"" is a guide to all aspects of the court. ... Hudson provides a thorough review of the argument, decision, and appeal process. ... a handy guide for keeping up with events."" – Costa Mesa Daily Pilot (on the previous edition)"

"“This clearly written guide reviews Supreme Court history, illuminates its procedures, highlights its ""rich tapestry of legal decisions,"" and offers straightforward commentary on how this comparatively secretive branch of American government serves to balance the power of Congress and the presidency. … This guide will make the Supreme Court and its workings accessible to secondary-school students and adults. In today's contentious political climate, it will help facilitate argumentation grounded in fact rather than emotion and is confidently recommended … clever guide will make the workings of the Supreme Court accessible …”—Booklist “… an introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court … The book covers the history, structure, and procedures of the U.S. Supreme Court, its major cases, and the confirmation process … Cases are divided into chapters by issues such as freedom of speech or religion, criminal justice, racial discrimination, gerrymandering, abortion, and gun rights. … The U.S. Supreme Court is increasingly in the news, but its workings and history are opaque. This recommended book can help clear things up.”—Library Journal “This easy-to-understand book is filled with Q&A information on how the SCOTUS works, why it’s important, and some insight to the nine people who sit on what may be the most controversial court ever.”—Indianapolis Recorder “… thorough history of the U.S. Supreme Court … by experienced law professor Hudson. Readers will learn the history of the court, information on some of the most well-known justices, and analyses of famous cases that have had far-reaching results. … organized format, excellent table of contents, and index …”—School Library Journal “A tip of the hat goes to David L. Hudson Jr., author of the aptly named Handy Supreme Court Answer Book. Hudson, an ABA Journal freelancer and scholar at Vanderbilt University's First Amendment Center, produced an accessible history in Q&A format, replete with trivia: Which justice was in a duel? Who was the first law school grad?” – ABA Journal (on the previous edition) “For a lay audience of inquisitive people, David Hudson Jr.'s Handy Supreme Court Answer Book is remarkably comprehensive and fascinating. Where else could you find out the identity of the tallest justice on the high court?” – Legal Times (on the previous edition) “For students, teachers, lawyers, and history buffs, this reference provides answer to many questions about the Supreme Court from its origins in 1789 to the present.” – Book News (on the previous edition) “This is a unique and useful book that provides readers with a broad understanding of the main judgments of all of the Supreme Courts, as well as including smaller details that made each court unique. This is a terrific title....” – Library Media Connection (on the previous edition) ""David Hudson's ""The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book"" is a guide to all aspects of the court. ... Hudson provides a thorough review of the argument, decision, and appeal process. ... a handy guide for keeping up with events."" – Costa Mesa Daily Pilot (on the previous edition)"

"“This clearly written guide reviews Supreme Court history, illuminates its procedures, highlights its ""rich tapestry of legal decisions,"" and offers straightforward commentary on how this comparatively secretive branch of American government serves to balance the power of Congress and the presidency. … This guide will make the Supreme Court and its workings accessible to secondary-school students and adults. In today's contentious political climate, it will help facilitate argumentation grounded in fact rather than emotion and is confidently recommended … clever guide will make the workings of the Supreme Court accessible …”—Booklist “… an introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court … The book covers the history, structure, and procedures of the U.S. Supreme Court, its major cases, and the confirmation process … Cases are divided into chapters by issues such as freedom of speech or religion, criminal justice, racial discrimination, gerrymandering, abortion, and gun rights. … The U.S. Supreme Court is increasingly in the news, but its workings and history are opaque. This recommended book can help clear things up.”—Library Journal “… thorough history of the U.S. Supreme Court … by experienced law professor Hudson. Readers will learn the history of the court, information on some of the most well-known justices, and analyses of famous cases that have had far-reaching results. … organized format, excellent table of contents, and index …”—School Library Journal “A tip of the hat goes to David L. Hudson Jr., author of the aptly named Handy Supreme Court Answer Book. Hudson, an ABA Journal freelancer and scholar at Vanderbilt University's First Amendment Center, produced an accessible history in Q&A format, replete with trivia: Which justice was in a duel? Who was the first law school grad?” – ABA Journal (on the previous edition) “For a lay audience of inquisitive people, David Hudson Jr.'s Handy Supreme Court Answer Book is remarkably comprehensive and fascinating. Where else could you find out the identity of the tallest justice on the high court?” – Legal Times (on the previous edition) “For students, teachers, lawyers, and history buffs, this reference provides answer to many questions about the Supreme Court from its origins in 1789 to the present.” – Book News (on the previous edition) “This is a unique and useful book that provides readers with a broad understanding of the main judgments of all of the Supreme Courts, as well as including smaller details that made each court unique. This is a terrific title....” – Library Media Connection (on the previous edition) ""David Hudson's ""The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book"" is a guide to all aspects of the court. ... Hudson provides a thorough review of the argument, decision, and appeal process. ... a handy guide for keeping up with events."" – Costa Mesa Daily Pilot (on the previous edition)"

Author Information

David L. Hudson, Jr., J.D. is an Assistant Professor of Law, teaching First Amendment Law and Bar Exam Workshop at Belmont University’s College of Law. For 17 years, he was an attorney and scholar at the First Amendment Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Hudson also has taught classes at Vanderbilt Law School and the Nashville School of Law, and he served as a senior law clerk for the Tennessee Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Nashville School of Law awarded him its Distinguished Faculty Award. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School. He is an author, co-author, or co-editor of more than 40 books, including Visible Ink Press’s The Constitution Explained: A Guide for Every American, The Handy Law Answer Book, and The Handy American History Answer Book, as well as Let The Students Speak: A History of the Fight for Free Expression in American Schools and The Encyclopedia of the First Amendment (co-editor). He writes regularly for the American Bar Association’s Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases and ABA Journal, the First Amendment Watch, and the Free Speech Center. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

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