First

Sandra Day O'Connor

By: Evan Thomas

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 16 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller • The intimate, inspiring, and authoritative biography of Sandra Day O’Connor, America’s first female Supreme Court justice, drawing on exclusive interviews and first-time access to Justice O’Connor’s archives.

"She’s a hero for our time, and this is the biography for our time." (Walter Isaacson)

Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize • Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR and The Washington Post

She was born in 1930 in El Paso and grew up on a cattle ranch in Arizona. At a time when women were expected to be homemakers, she set her sights on Stanford University. When she graduated near the top of her law school class in 1952, no firm would even interview her. But Sandra Day O’Connor’s story is that of a woman who repeatedly shattered glass ceilings - doing so with a blend of grace, wisdom, humor, understatement, and cowgirl toughness.

She became the first ever female majority leader of a state senate. As a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, she stood up to corrupt lawyers and humanized the law. When she arrived at the US Supreme Court, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, she began a quarter-century tenure on the Court, hearing cases that ultimately shaped American law. Diagnosed with cancer at 58 and caring for a husband with Alzheimer’s, O’Connor endured every difficulty with grit and poise.

Women and men who want to be leaders and be first in their own lives - who want to learn when to walk away and when to stand their ground - will be inspired by O’Connor’s example. This is a remarkably vivid and personal portrait of a woman who loved her family, who believed in serving her country, and who, when she became the most powerful woman in America, built a bridge forward for all women.

Praise for First:

"Cinematic...poignant...illuminating and eminently readable...First gives us a real sense of Sandra Day O’Connor the human being.... Thomas gives O’Connor the credit she deserves." (The Washington Post)

"[A] fascinating and revelatory biography...a richly detailed picture of [O’Connor’s] personal and professional life...Evan Thomas’s book is not just a biography of a remarkable woman, but an elegy for a worldview that, in law as well as politics, has disappeared from the nation’s main stages." (The New York Times Book Review)

©2019 Evan Thomas (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"She rose to fame as the first female Supreme Court justice, but during her twenty-four years on the bench she became even more: the most powerful justice of our era. With practical instincts and sharp intellect, she crafted sensible compromises on affirmative action, abortion, and other contentious issues. She embodies the virtues we sorely lack today: decency, honesty, balance, and a nobility worn lightly. With amazing access to her journals and papers, Evan Thomas has written a brilliant and riveting book that captures her principles and personality. She’s a hero for our time, and this is the biography for our time." (Walter Isaacson, number one New York Times best-selling author of Leonardo Da Vinci)

"An unvarnished and psychologically intuitive look at the nation's first female Supreme Court justice...Thomas breaks new ground with First...unlike every other volume written about O'Connor." (NPR)

"A great storyteller has found his greatest subject in trailblazer Sandra Day O’Connor. Evan Thomas has written one of the most insightful and thoroughly captivating biographies I have ever read: A clear and compelling illumination of Sandra Day O’Connor’s unique voice and place in American history is told through her remarkable life’s journey from a rancher’s daughter to the first woman appointed to the highest court in the land." (Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Leadership: In Turbulent Times)

History of a new Breed

Excellent! Lots of history about Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'connor and the path she chose to lead as a leader. Absolutely love it.

An interesting story

I enjoyed the book, more so toward the end. Her story rests on the connections and white privilege of her life, especially Stanford on. Working with and dating Rehnquist, living near Barry Goldwater and working in his campaign, state connections, etc. A relatively short stint as a judge before going to the Supreme Court. She had more experience as a political operative and politician. Her SCOTUS record as a tinkerer and minimalist was an approach with both admirers and detractors. She seemed to become more centrist and liberal through the years. It’s telling that she wanted to retire during a GOP administration and then bemoaned the appointment of Alito to replace her. And that she did not respect Scalia, or vice versa, as far as jurisprudence. It’s amazing she didn’t have the foresight then to retire during a Democrat administration! It was sad to see her leave for John, a short lived and futile sacrifice, but that was another example of her stubbornness at times. She realized her great mistake later. As her total picture evolved, I became to appreciate her more and am glad I finished the entire story. She was a centrist figure who was probably the best choice at the time to serve as the First.

A lot I didn't know about her

Although I celebrated the first female Justice, I was not a fan of the party who appointed her. I knew little about her in a time that SCOTUS appointments were less fraught and drew less wide ranging attention. This was an interesting biography about a woman I have come to admire and still think she should NOT have stepped down.

Enthralling

This book was well written and truly fascinating. I’m thankful to have listened and I’m glad to know more about the incredibly life of O’Connor. Truly inspirational

labor of love

a beautiful story that seemed more like a labor of love for the author. enjoying to read, and wonderful to learn more about this amazing figure of history.

Excellent

What an amazing look into the life of one of the most important SCOTUS justices in my lifetime. SOC was a remarkable person and it was a pleasure to get a glimpse into who she was. I highly recommend.

Great Book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Judge O'Connor is a tremendous example of what one can accomplish in a lifetime by forging ahead and making your own path. It would have been very easy for her to stop at any level in her career bit she knew she could make a difference and she did! I highly recommend this to all, but especially to women. She is a remarkable role model for us all and the world is better for having had her on the Supreme Court.

Inspiring

I chose this book because I was looking for inspiration by a great American, and First was a better choice than I could have imagined. Not only is this a biography for the ages about a real-life super heroine whose career and life set dozens of wonderful examples for everyone, the research and writing are fabulous and the narration top notch. One of the best books I have come across.
across in a long time.

Informative

I had no preconceived ideas on her life or career. I am not one who judges by race, sex or political status/beliefs. I am an "individual" and trust that all humans are also. I thank you for the opportunity to get a small peek into a remarkable individuals life and experiences.

Outstanding!

This biography is a gripping narrative of SOC’s life, ability to navigate the political scene, and impact on the SCOTUS. I found the analysis of her (small p) political acuity particularly compelling given the era in which her career emerged. Bush-Gore aside, her moderating voice was, and still is, needed on the court. My own brilliant mother descended into the fog of Alzheimer’s, forgetting everything she did in life. It’s sad to know that she too does/will not remember what an incredible individual she is and how many lives she touched. My political worldview is progressive, and I highly recommend this book for court watchers and anyone who wants to read about an amazing, influential woman and her life, regardless of your political worldview.