David Dorsen's Henry Friendly: Greatest Judge of His Era (Belknap, $35) recognizes the contributions of a thoughtful appellate judge and his influence on others including Supreme Court justices. As any good biography does Dorsen captures a complex personality.
Currently we await decisions on the Affordable Health Care Act and the Arizona immigration cases. The rich biographic literature on the Supreme Court provides history and commentary about the court’s place in our democracy. Its importance today cannot be separated from the demanding issues dealt with in our past.
Here are my favorite biographies and commentaries which place the courts in context. Each would make a superb Father's Day or graduation gift.
I. Biography
