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bookish_smorgasbord's review against another edition
5.0
Well-researched and engaging read about the first woman on the United States Supreme Court.
papidoc's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding biography of our first female Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor. I listened to it as an audiobook, and the narrator did a terrific job as well.
Among other things, I was fascinated to see how her political and judicial thinking evolved over her years on the court, starting quite conservative, and gradually becoming more centrist, and even in some instances, quite liberal. And yet, certain aspects of her values and thinking remained very stable. I suspect that is true for most of us, for what good would added age and experience do us if our thinking didn't evolve along with it? And likewise, of what worth or personal guidance would our core values be if they didn't remain reasonably stable throughout our lives? SOC is a good example of one for whom her core values were "a guide and a stay" throughout her life, but who's thinking about how to apply them to the issues of the day evolved.
There is much else to recommend this biography, but I'll leave that to other readers to discover for themselves. Highly recommended!
Among other things, I was fascinated to see how her political and judicial thinking evolved over her years on the court, starting quite conservative, and gradually becoming more centrist, and even in some instances, quite liberal. And yet, certain aspects of her values and thinking remained very stable. I suspect that is true for most of us, for what good would added age and experience do us if our thinking didn't evolve along with it? And likewise, of what worth or personal guidance would our core values be if they didn't remain reasonably stable throughout our lives? SOC is a good example of one for whom her core values were "a guide and a stay" throughout her life, but who's thinking about how to apply them to the issues of the day evolved.
There is much else to recommend this biography, but I'll leave that to other readers to discover for themselves. Highly recommended!
johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
3.0
This readable bio of the first female Supreme Court justice is a lot like Sandra Day O’Connor herself: solid, conservative & not very dramatic. Hits the highlights—her Arizona ranch childhood, Bush v. Gore—as she charms Republican stars like Barry Goldwater & Ronald Reagan. An adoring—often gushing—portrait, it ties itself in knots to defend her record on the ERA, abortion & affirmative action. Backstage court gossip is fun. (Thurgood Marshall addressed pompous Chief Justice Burger as “Chiefy Baby.”) There’s a lot about her dancing, but few true insights. Justices aren’t “always immune to…political pressure.” Ya don’t say?
kaylarust94's review against another edition
5.0
Super well written and enjoyable to read! I’m not usually one for biographies, but this one kept my attention the whole time. I really enjoyed learning more about Sandra Day O’Connor and the path she paved for women. Fan girl-ing hard over SOC.
eyorga's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like I need to clarify my rating- an interesting read, I enjoyed getting to know Sandra Day O’Connor and the Supreme Court better but the authors writing style and organization was not for me. Maybe you’ll disagree and love it!
terrimarshall's review against another edition
5.0
This was my third book about Justice O’Connor, and it’s a good one. She and her family authorized this biography, but it was still very honest in describing her struggles and challenges over the years and how she didn’t always handle them the best way. She is a remarkable woman, and there probably couldn’t have been a better pick for first woman on the Supreme Court than her. I have great admiration for Justice O’Connor.
alli_always_reads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5