Scorpions

The Battles and Triumphs of FDR's Great Supreme Court Justices

By: Noah Feldman

Narrated by: Cotter Smith

Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2010 Noah Feldman (P)2010 Hachette Audio

History at It's Best

A highly enjoyable and memorable account featuring four of the greatest Supreme Court Justices in our history and some of the landmark cases in which they were called upon to decide. In his exceptionally well written and well narrated book, Noah Feldman paints amazing true to life portraits including the judicial philosophies and striking personalities of these complicated men and their very contentious relationships with each other.

Informative

Feldman provides a view into one of the most consequential eras of the Court’s and our country’s history.

Excellent history of the Roosevelt Court

This was an excellent account of the history of the Roosevelt Court appointees Black, Frankfurter, Jackson and and Douglas and how they evolved from similar “ New Deal” advocates s to rivals and even enemies. Highly recommended.

Scorpians: behind the scenes of the Supreme Court

This was a fantastic book. Not just for fans or those interested in the Supreme Court, but to anyone who is interested in the legal history of the United States and the Supreme Court. It is amazing how the Supreme Court works and makes critical decisions that effect the lives of the entire country. The Justices cooperate, bicker, side with others, side against each other, and at times it almost comes down to using their fists, but they struggle with the unknown consequences of their decision. A great book about how F.D.R. chose his picks for the court and the impacts they left.

Great Book- Well Written and Well Presented

This is a very well written and well narrated book. As has been pointed out by previous reviewers the book is narrated by Cotter Smith and not Professor Feldman. The book focuses on the lives of four of FDR's Supreme Court Justices- Jackson, Douglas, Frankfurter and Black- all of whom had a very significant impact on the history of the Supreme Court from the New Deal era to the current day. Professor Feldman does an excellent job discussing the backgrounds of the four justices and how their education, social and political experiences framed their view of jurisprudence. For readers who are very interested in the Supreme Court and how it has become so important in the modern day political era this is a great listen. I would also recommend that after listening to this volume, readers may also want to listen to Jeff Shesol's well written and narrated book "Supreme Power" which focuses on FDR's attempt to pack the Supreme Court. While the court packing scheme is discussed in Professor Feldman's book, it is justifiably given less space than in Mr. Shesol's book. I would strongly recommend both books. Great additions to the Audible Library

I will listen to Scorpions again soon,.great story

This was such an enjoyable insight into the day to day workings of some of the men who served on the Supreme Court during FDR's presidency. Great story of how decisions are reached and super narration. Both made for a really enjoyable listen.

A Fantastic and Thorough History

I recommend this book to anyone trying to grasp some of the SCOTUS’ history. Youll enjoy the book and find yourself going back to it as a resource repeatedly.

Enjoy

Insightful and entertaining

While I enjoyed the "first part" of the book which familiarizes the reader with the main characters and their backgrounds, I found the "second part" the real joy. Well known cases with enough detail to make you comfortable with the issues and an unbiased approach to each character's role in the case. A really good listen for those interested in the Superme Court itself and, as an extra bonus, some familiar names come into play to give you an all around feel for the era and what is to come.
Sandra (Houston, Texas) 4/19/2011

planters and seeds of Justice(s)

Both the content and narration of Scorpions makes listening to this audio book well worth the investment.

astonishingly brilliant!

fascinatingly personal, contextually gripping. Like Dorothy, transporting oneself through the turbulent genius, divisive calm of the most influential FDR men at the pinnacle of american jurisprudence.