About the book

The Court is no mere bystander in U.S. History; it is an active participant, and the impact of its decisions is felt for generations. Americans typically think of the Supreme Court of the United States as the guardian of liberty. It is the institution that ended segregation, that guarantees fair trials and protects free speech and the right to vote. But the reality is more complicated. Supreme Court decisions have also played a major role in reinforcing the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

Ultimately, the book speaks to the future. Especially at a time when so many Americans are motivated to face and improve race relations, the role of the Supreme Court in bringing us to this point is of central importance and universal interest.