Shnayerson, former law editor of Time, provides a tedious examination of this country's highest court through an overview of its landmark cases. His scope is wide, but he does not delve deeply into any single case, even those of most interest (the Scottsboro boys, decisions affecting civil rights and the women's movement). Stale observations appear sporadically ("The Court exudes authority; it is a serious place"). While the pictorial material doesn't constitute an "illustrated history" as the title claims, a generous number of mostly black-and-white photos of documents and personalities of the court are a refreshing respite. And a prefatory color photo section offers glimpses of the awesome architecture of the Supreme Court as well as a look at the justices' barber chair and the interior of their private elevator.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.