The Majesty of the Law

Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice

By: Sandra Day O'Connor

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Shows us why Sandra Day O’Connor is so compelling as a human being and so vital as a public thinker.”—Michael Beschloss

In this remarkable book, Sandra Day O’Connor explores the law, her life as a Supreme Court Justice, and how the Court has evolved and continues to function, grow, and change as an American institution. Tracing some of the origins of American law through history, people, ideas, and landmark cases, O’Connor sheds new light on the basics, exploring through personal observation the evolution of the Court and American democratic traditions.

Straight-talking, clear-eyed, inspiring, The Majesty of the Law is more than a reflection on O’Connor’s own experiences as the first female Justice of the Supreme Court; it also reveals some of the things she learned about American law and life—reflections gleaned over her years as one of the most powerful and inspiring women in American history.

©2003 The Arizona Community Foundation (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"O'Connor gets down to the nitty-gritty of her profession." (Library Journal)

"O'Connor's book is an engagingly written civics lesson, delivering a warm appreciation of legal history." (Publishers Weekly)

“With this important book, one of the most intriguing figures in American history reveals her private musings about history, the law, and her own life - both public and personal. The Majesty of the Law shows us why Sandra Day O’Connor is so compelling as a human being and so vital as a public thinker.” (Michael Beschloss, author of The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler’s Germany, 1941-1945)

Informative and well-written

As someone interested in the law (I'm starting law school this fall), I was fascinated by Justice O'Connor's book. She gives her views on judicial interpretation, areas she thinks our justice system can be improved, her personal experience and views on sufferage and women's rights, all mixed in with a solid look at legal history in the U.S.

As a Supreme Court Justice and former Senator, she's obviously earned expert status whether or not you agree with her disposition or not.

I particularly liked her criticisms of the jury system, along with her ideas on what can be done about it. The only weakness of the book is that she is occassionaly repetetive. But overall a great book that is well narrarated.