soph (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sophia_sol) wrote2017-02-24 08:52 pm
sophia_sol) wrote2017-02-24 08:52 pm
My Own Words, by Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams
An interesting book, though not quite what I was expecting it to be! I put a hold on the ebook at my library on a whim, based on nothing more than the cover and title which I saw when browsing Overdrive. I was expecting something more in the line of a memoir/autobiography. What this book actually is: a collection of writings from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg over the years, with bits of introductory material contextualizing the pieces.
So it was still very interesting, even if not what I was expecting. It's much more about US law than it is about Ginsburg herself. So I now know a lot more about how the Supreme Court works. Ginsburg comes across very well in this book though - intelligent, articulate, caring. (Also she's REALLY REALLY SHORT oh my gosh, those pictures at the end, she is always by far the smallest person in any given photograph.)
The last section of the book shares a number of her recent dissents, which is a rather depressing note to end on. She argues forcefully for what I would agree is the correct decision on issues like women's reproductive rights, and it's so sad to know that these pieces are the dissent and not the opinion of the court.
It was weird to read her praise of Scalia throughout the book. He's the Justice she refers to most often, and it seems she genuinely liked him as a person. It feels weird to hold that knowledge alongside the knowledge that he vociferously fought for the exact opposite side on a lot of issues she clearly thinks are of dire importance in the lives of many people. I don't know if I could be friends with someone who so actively worked for so much of what I would consider to be harm in the world as Scalia did.
It's also depressing to read this book in the context of knowing that Scalia's seat is gonna be filled by a Donald Trump nominee. Auuuggghhhhhhhhhh. I just hope he doesn't get the chance to replace any other Justices as well. Ginsburg seems to be in good health for an 83 year old and I HOPE SHE STAYS THAT WAY. FOR AS MANY YEARS AS NECESSARY.
So it was still very interesting, even if not what I was expecting. It's much more about US law than it is about Ginsburg herself. So I now know a lot more about how the Supreme Court works. Ginsburg comes across very well in this book though - intelligent, articulate, caring. (Also she's REALLY REALLY SHORT oh my gosh, those pictures at the end, she is always by far the smallest person in any given photograph.)
The last section of the book shares a number of her recent dissents, which is a rather depressing note to end on. She argues forcefully for what I would agree is the correct decision on issues like women's reproductive rights, and it's so sad to know that these pieces are the dissent and not the opinion of the court.
It was weird to read her praise of Scalia throughout the book. He's the Justice she refers to most often, and it seems she genuinely liked him as a person. It feels weird to hold that knowledge alongside the knowledge that he vociferously fought for the exact opposite side on a lot of issues she clearly thinks are of dire importance in the lives of many people. I don't know if I could be friends with someone who so actively worked for so much of what I would consider to be harm in the world as Scalia did.
It's also depressing to read this book in the context of knowing that Scalia's seat is gonna be filled by a Donald Trump nominee. Auuuggghhhhhhhhhh. I just hope he doesn't get the chance to replace any other Justices as well. Ginsburg seems to be in good health for an 83 year old and I HOPE SHE STAYS THAT WAY. FOR AS MANY YEARS AS NECESSARY.
no subject
It's a tradition that's started to fade in recent years as politics have become more divisive and aggressive, and the current president obviously has zero interest in respecting his opponents, let alone cultivating friendships with them.
no subject