During Justice Sonya Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings, the role of personal biography in judicial opinions became a focal point of debate. This impeccably researched book by journalist Bill Barnhart and retired lawyer Gene Schlickman explores the extraordinary life and tenure of Justice John Paul Stevens, the second longest-serving Supreme Court justice in modern history and known as the Court’s most prolific dissenter. Through extensive interviews with Stevens, his family, former clerks, colleagues, and notable figures like former President Ford and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the authors provide a nuanced portrait of Stevens. They delve into his affluent upbringing in Chicago's Hyde Park and the family business, including The Stevens Hotel, to reveal the man behind the robe. Personal anecdotes from his former law clerks add depth to his serious work. The book also examines Stevens’s legal career, from his early years as a Chicago lawyer to his nomination to the Supreme Court by Republican President Ford. It highlights his significant opinions, including his emotional dissents in Texas v. Johnson and Bush v. Gore, showcasing his evolution as a key figure in shaping Court decisions. In an era of political polarization, Stevens’s journey underscores the importance of judicial impartiality, making this biography essential for those interested in the Supreme Court and one of Chicago’s notable figures.
