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In his lifetime, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart didn't have the best of luck with his patrons. One of them, Archbishop Colloredo of Salzburg, actually had his chamberlain kick the composer in the ass to signal the end of his employment. Mozart has been luckier, however, with his biographers. In the last 20 years alone, he has been the subject of two fine books: Maynard Solomon's meticulous study, which slides Mozart's rather mystifying psyche under the analytic microscope, and Wolfgang Hildesheimer's more sardonic effort, in which the author seems determined to strip every last bit of romantic varnish from the traditional portrait.

Now Peter Gay joins the party with his own brief life. Weighing in at 177 pages, Mozart will never displace its deep-focus predecessors. But it's a delightful introduction to the composer, whose entire existence was, as Gay puts it, a "triumph of genius over precociousness." It's one thing, after all, to knock 'em dead at age five--at which point the waist-high Mozart was already a keyboard virtuoso. It's quite another to keep developing at the same prodigious pace. "A child prodigy is, by its nature, a self-destroying artifact: what seems literally marvelous in a boy will seem merely talented and perfectly natural in a young man. But by 1772, at sixteen, Mozart no longer needed to display himself as a little wizard; he had matured in the sonata and the symphony, the first kind of music he composed, and now showed his gifts in new domains: opera, the oratorio, and the earliest in a string of superb piano concertos."

Gay gets in all the essentials: Mozart's mind-blowing maturation, his family life, his weakness for billiards, and (of course) his seriously scatological style as a correspondent. Like Solomon, he takes an Oedipal approach to Wolfgang's perpetual head-banging with his overbearing father. And like Hildesheimer, he's at pains to scotch certain cherished myths--the mysterious figure who commissioned the Requiem, for example, turns out to be no otherworldly harbinger of death but a chiseling wannabe who hoped to pass off the finished product as his own work. Perhaps best of all, Gay never goes sublime on us. His portrait is attractively level-headed, and at one point he's even modest enough to knock his own metaphors for their puerility. Here, surely, the author is being hard on himself. But he's right about one thing: as far as artistry goes, this former child prodigy does make children of us all. --James Marcus ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A short biography of a Mozart's short life.
For anyone who has ever wanted to know about Mozart, but does not want to dig through massive tomes, or the intracacies of counterpoint, Peter Gay gives a thorough linear analysis of Mozart, his life, and times. Describing the growth of a musical genius, with commentaries on major works, Gay places Mozart firmly in his historic period. We see the role of the musician as hired tradesman and Mozart trying to equate his genius with social standing, only to play secaond fiddle to the second rate. An excellent and enjoyable window into a complex mind and a brief but indelible life.

A delightful gem of a biography, compact yet informative
Peter Gay's brief biography of Mozart is the third of the new Penguin Lives which I have read, but only the first to offer a reasonably complete portrait. (The others were "Mao Zedong" by Jonathan Spence, which seemed disappointingly incomplete, and "Woodrow Wilson" by Louis Auchincloss, which seemed terribly superficial.) As an eminent cultural historian of Europe since the Enlightenment and a native of German-speaking Europe himself, Gay is more than qualified to write a superior life story of Mozart and certainly rises to the occasion with a captivating style that made reading this book a pleasure.

For a book that is only 163 pages long, exclusive of endnotes and bibliographic essay, this volume offers an unusually full picture. It depicts Mozart as man and musician, while placing him and his art in the context of his times. Gay delves into Mozart's complex relationship with his autocratic father, describing his evolution from docile Wunderkind to assertive mature artist. He also explores Mozart's unusual personality, including his often juvenile sense of humor, his devoted commitment to his wife, his tendency to constantly live beyond his means and the resulting sometimes obsequious dependency on his patrons, and his interactions with contemporary composers, particularly Johann Christoph Bach and Franz Josef Haydn. Gay is especially good at explaining Mozart's major contributions to the development of classical music in terms that even someone who lacks a technical understanding of music can fathom, showing how he contributed to chamber music, the symphony, and opera. And he briefly points out what is distinctive about a number of the composers' major works.

In short, this is a book that offers all the fun of "Amadeus," but a far more satisfying portrayal of Mozart and a fuller explication of why he is an icon of Western civilization. For readers who lack much knowledge about the composer, Gay does an artful job of tantalizing them into wanting to learn more, then pointing the way with a helpful and thorough bibliographical essay.

Superb introduction to Mozart's life
In this book, Peter Gay offers an excellent, concise summary of Mozart's life and greatness. This is not a balanced recounting; Gay compresses the Mozart's active childhood of tours and performances into a single chapter, while his frustrating years at Salzburg are similarly condensed to a few pages. Yet such an approach is more than justified given the purpose of the 'Penguin Lives' series, which is to offer brief introductions to their selected subjects.

A distinguished intellectual and cultural historian, Gay brings considerable knowledge of Mozart's world to bear in examining the details of his life, connecting it to the broader historical developments of his time. Chapters 6 and 7 break away from the biographical narrative to focus on Mozart's achievements as a writer of symphonies and operas, which allows Gay to turn his finely honed analytical abilities to evaluating Mozart the artist. While there is nothing new in his analysis, it nonetheless provides the best introduction available to the life of this brilliant musician and composer.

Colorful portrait
Gay's book is a colourful portrait of the genius Mozart. It's lively not boring and gave me more than enough information on the man himself but very little on his marriage. I would have preferred more info on that aspect of his life but admittedly Gay does a splendid job on the early and Mozart and giving me a better understanding of what made the Great Composer tick.
And the best of the Penguin lives series that I've come across so far.

A Triumph of Genius over Preociousness
This is one of several volumes in the Penguin Lives Series, each of which written by a distinguished author in her or his own right. Each provides a concise but remarkably comprehensive biography of its subject in combination with a penetrating analysis of the significance of that subject's life and career. I think this is a brilliant concept. Those who wish to learn more about the given subject are directed to other sources.

When preparing to review various volumes in this series, I have struggled with determining what would be of greatest interest and assistance to those who read my reviews. Finally I decided that a few brief excerpts and then some concluding remarks would be appropriate.

On misconceptions of Mozart (e.g. the "willful child" unable to grow up, the "miracle worker" who never needed to revise a single note): "These tenacious caricatures are distortions rather than fabrications; most of them, as we shall discover, contain a kernel of truth....But Mozart's life in music is fascinating enough without embroidery; his reputation as a genius is not threatened by mundane truths." (Page 2)

In a letter to his father (1781): "Nature speaks as loudly in me as in anyone, and perhaps louder than in many big, strong lugs. I cannot possibly live like most of the young men today. -- First, I have too much religion; secondly, too much love for my fellow beings and too honorable a disposition to seduce an innocent girl; and thirdly, too much horror and repugnance, dread and fear of diseases, and too much care for my health to scuffle with whores." (Page 70)

Peter Gay on Salieri: "There is an all-too-well-known melodramatic tale about Antonio Salieri poisoning Mozart. It began as a rumor and was first given literary form in the 1820s in a verse playlet by Pushkin. It is a malicious, preposterous fabrication, but hints at the envy Mozart's rivals had every right to feel. Yet Mozart, too, had grounds for envy: Salieri, born in Italy but long settled in Vienna, occupied privileged posts that Mozart would have deserved but, given Emperor Joseph's predilection for Salieri, could never hope to obtain." (Page 100)

Mozart's last year: "[It] has often been described as one long preparation for death. But in that time, Mozart wrote two operas, a piano concerto, a large number of minuets and counterdances, a clarinet concerto, a Masonic cantata, two quintets, and most of the Requiem. His creativity was still working at full speed." (Page 156)

I am among those who have seen the film Amadeus many times, admiring it more each time. For dramatic purposes, those who produced Amadeus focus on several of the "tenacious caricatures" to which Gay refers. What I especially appreciate about this biography is that Gay duly acknowledges all of Mozart's human limitations and inadequacies while examining Mozart's creative discipline in ways and to an extent which the film does not. With regard to this biography's context, Gay tells his reader only what is essential to know about the various cities in which Mozart lived and worked during various periods in his all-too-brief life (January 27,1756-December 5, 1791). Rather than create an historical or cultural context, Gay prefers to focus primarily on Mozart's art. As he notes, the renewal of interest more than a century after Mozart's death raised his music -- "all of it -- to the eminence it deserves." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful Book
Marilyn is captured in just about every mood possible in this book. A wonderful book for my MM collection.

Beautiful Photographs!
The pictures of Marilyn in this book are wonderful..I thought I saw them all until I got this book. I recommend to all Marilyn fans, it is a must. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Norma....do go on!
This is by far my favorite Marilyn book ever! There are so many photos, that you don't have to face that anxiety of looking at the last one! This is a several sitting book, even if you are just using it as a coffee table book..

Original Marilyn Angle - Worth Every Dollar.
If you can get this book, get it. Mr. Haspiel was a teenager when he met Marilyn and he stuck with her. His information is first hand, as opposed to authors who cash in on researched material. James Haspiel is the source writers went to for their magazine articles and such, and his book is wonderful. He even has pictures of Marilyn, proudly displayed, without make-up on.

MARILYN: THE ULTIMATE LOOK AT THE LEGEND
I found this book to be a very special one on Marilyn Monroe and her "platonic" relationship with a special fan/friend. This book spans an eight year relationship with the author. You get a "back-seat" view of how Monroe's personality was, whether it was happy, gloomy, or sad during their "friendship" period. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It should be considered a "must read" and "must have" copy for for all Monroe's fans' and buffs' libraries alike. As the previous reader stated, this book was written from a perspective of someone being very close to Miss Monroe; somewhat placing this as a "unique" and interesting bit of MM reading. Lastly, the author gives the reader a "touching" bit of his own soul, when he describes his very last meeting with Miss Monroe before leaving for California.

A candid account of the authors close frienship with MM
This book is a revealing account of Mr. Haspiels friendship/relationship with Marilyn Monroe ("Mazzie" as he affectionately calls her) during the last 8 years of her life. Not just another historical perspective of Miss Monroe's life, the book is written from the viewpoint of someone who was obviously quite close to Miss Monroe as the many photo's and documents substantiate. The candid revelations and thoughts concerning the author's and Miss Monroe's friendship is what makes this book unique. A highly recommended book especially for those interested in a more personal account of the life of Marilyn Monroe. ... Read more

Book Description

This study draws on critical historical analysis and contemporary language theory to illuminate John Marshall's jurisprudence and political philosophy in new ways. It challenges both liberal and conservative views and it defines Marshall's constitutional interpretations, political ideology, and pragmatic interests anew. It shows how his pragmatism and "republican revisionism" impacted decisions about matters of property, contract, and debt. Legal scholars, political scientists, and historians interested in law and language, 19th-century history, and republicanism will find this study especially interesting. ... Read more

Book Description

Late one night in 1963, a South African policeunit surrounded the African National Congress headquarters in Rivoniaand arrested a group of party leaders gathered inside. Eight of them,Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Dennis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki, RaymondMhlaba, Elias Motsaledi, Andrew Mlangeni, and Ahmed Kathrada, wereconvicted of sabotage and, on 11 June 1964, sentenced to life inprison. Soon, these men became widely known as the 'Rivonia Trialists.'Despite their imprisonment, the Trialists played active roles in thestruggle against South Africa's racist regime. Instead of beingforgotten, as apartheid officials had hoped, they became enduringsymbols in a struggle against injustice and racism.Kathrada and his colleagues were classified as high securityprisoners, segregated from others and closely watched. Every activitywas regulated and monitored. Among the many indignities visited uponthem, the prisoners were prohibited from keeping copies of incoming andoutgoing correspondence. Kathrada, or 'Kathy' as he became known,successfully hid both.Letters from Robben Island contains a selection of 86 of the morethan 900 pieces of correspondence Ahmed Kathrada wrote during his 26years on Robben Island and at Pollsmoor Prison. Some were smuggled outby friends; others were written in code to hide meaning and contentfrom prison censors.These are among his most poignant, touching, andeloquent communications. They are testimonials to Kathrada, to hiscolleagues, and to their commitment to obtaining human dignity andfreedom for all South Africans. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Understanding life in apartheid's prisons
This collection of letters, by one of South Africa's leading activists, offers a direct view of the experience of a political prisoner during apartheid. Written during the author's 26 years in prison, alongside Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, the books grants the reader the rare chance to grasp the daily hardships these men endured. And yet, given Kathrada's courage, humility and humor, as well as their ultimate political victory, the book is a source of inspiration and hope. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

She just...didn't get it.
I read this as a Madonna fan--not a rabid, love-everything-she-is fan, but an fairly discerning, admiring fan. And all I have to say is this: if you don't really get Madonna, and want one woman's opinion on her impact, this book might be alright for you. But if you have any opinion on her at all, or are any kind of fan, this lady (the author) is probably going to get under your skin. I found myself cringing continually at what she said about Madonna's body of work. She obviously hadn't understood what Madonna was trying to do with many of the career moves she made, an understanding that I think is pretty easy to reach if you read the interviews, watch/listen to the work and take the public reaction into account. She overanalyzed the simple moves and brushed over the motives and purposes behind the most important ones, and this drove me crazy. By the end of the book I felt that I was no better or worse for reading it, though I felt a little inclined to do my own Madonna commentary, the right way this time--by disagreeing with her, I formed some of my own opinions more fully, but to be honest, this book does not take any huge stands to disagree with. The author just simply doesn't get Madonna. Perhaps she'd do a better study of Cher or Barbara Streisand.

I thought this book would have been much better if the author had approached it as a sort of long, personal essay about Madonna's effect on her life. I would have been able to accept that. But an in-depth study of Madonna...she simply isn't qualified.

On a more complimentary note, the title and cover art are wonderful.

What kind of fan are you?
Ok, i bought this book because it was the only title available at the bookstore. I find that this book is for one certain type of fan. If you want to look at Madonna on a global, cultural scale, this book is for you. It's purpose, in my opinion, is to situate Madonna, explain her and compare her to others. But it seems like there is soooo much talk about other people, there's no Madonna. The author throws in her name here and there, but, if you're like me, it won't be enough. If you're the kind of fan that wants to read about Madonna, and no one else, you just want info on her, this book isn't for you. Let's be honest- all we want to know about is Madonna. I don't care about other actors or singers or 1950's radio. Get to Madonna!

fh non
Iam civil engineer I live in germany and continue my postgradute studie

A New Interesting Book of Madonna Studies
As a Madonna fan with a feminist identity (I'm a member of an organization of Women's Studies), I have read so many books and articles about her. What has confused me is that most of the authors have "objectified" the artist. But Karlene Faith does not. I'm curious about what Faith thinks of Madonna's "Ray of Light" era, and of her own recent explanation about her works in the early 1990s. Anyway, BAWDY & SOUL is an interesting, recommendable book. Even if you are not a scholar of so-called "Madonna Studies", I think you can enjoy it. When it is translated into my mother tongue, I think I would tell my friends to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reissued in the year of the 150th anniversary of "The Communist Manifesto," this classic biography of Karl Marx is unlike any other account of its subject. Focusing as much on Marx's private life as on his public persona and work, it looks in detail at his relationships with his mother and father, wife and friends, and includes generous quotations from a wide range of correspondence. Blumenberg examines Marx's early writing as a schoolboy and his romantic poetry whilst a student, as well as his exchanges with close friend and collaborator Frederick Engels. In these pages are moving accounts of the privations of Marx's poverty-stricken life in London and the tragedies which struck his family, as well as discussions of his intellectual development and political activity. The book includes virtually every photograph in existence of Marx and his closest associates. A friend wrote of Marx when he was just twenty-four years old: 'Imagine Rousseau, Voltaire, Holbach, Lessing, Heine and Hegel all united in one person, and I say united, not just thrown together--then you've got Dr Marx.' Werner Blumenberg's biography provides an intimate portrait of the making of a complex intellectual whose work was to shape history for the century and a half that followed. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Karl Marx: An Illustrated History
Werner Blumenberg's "Karl Marx: An Illustrated History" tells the story of the man behind some of the most radical social and political theories in contemporary history. Typically negatively associated only with Communism, this book offers insight into the reasons for Marx's beliefs through various letters, memoirs and photographs. We meet his family and contemporaries and many of the influencing aspects of his life. Though fairly dry at some points, Blumenberg presents Karl Marx as a scholar, a writer, a husband, a son, a polititian, a philosopher, and most importantly, a man, in "Karl Marx: An Illustrated History".

Focus on the man, not the philosophy
From the opening lines, to the powerful conclusion, Blumenburg paints Marx in a light realistic and human light. He stresses that one gains a greater respect for a man's ideas through understanding the man himself. If you are looking for an explanation of Marxism or even some clarification, look elsewhere. But if you seek a portrait of one of the greatest political and socioeconomic thinkers in the last few hundred years, I would highly recommend this book.

I've rarely read a historian that can be both poignant and convincing as a writer, but I must say that Blumenburg writes quite well, and the accompanying photos inserted in the text break up the monotony typically associated with a biography (the book is said to contain "nearly every photo of Marx"). As a reader, one experiences the conflicts Marx had with his father and contemporaries, the excitement of his education and the formation of his ideals, and the utter hopelessness of his economic situation.

The book has been praised for its wide collection of sources and pictures, and on these two points, I would whole-heartedly agree. Actual photocopies of letters from his father, pages of his notebooks, and covers to his works accent the text surrounding these events and a wide range of personal pictures graphically illustrate convincing passages. The most powerful, perhaps, was the final photo of his massive grave site and the tombstone that reads: "Workers of all land, Unite!"

Reading the book fueled my interest in his philosophies, and I'll admit, the book is written for an audience fairly familiar with Marxism itself. Having little working knowledge of Marxism, I'm sure that I was able to fully grasp the workings of Marx's life as well as someone who is learned in this area, but I fully intend to further my reading on this subject. My advice: learn about the philosophy and the man. You will be astounded even more at the individual behind the idea!

The book closes with a detailed chronology, opinions of Marx's work from several prominent figures (i.e. Max Weber, Sigmund Freud, etc.) and a thorough bibliography. Whether it be used as a resource, entertainment, or an in-depth study, "Karl Marx: An Illustrated History" works well. An enjoyable read on all fronts.

Understanding a genius
Doesn't matter what ideology you like, follow or accept. Marx is a genius on sociology that made some of the most important works in this matter. This book is a good one but is not the great biography that I was expecting. I didn't see any need for the illustrations too... but is very nice written ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Insincere Balladeer: Tosches' Dino

Ornate, pretentious, entertaining and ultimately depressing, Nick Tosches' souped-up take on anti-legend Dean Martin (born Dino Crocetti) is an essential work on an underrated performer. Make no mistake, however: this is a thesis-bound book, and in no way qualifies as adoration, or even respect.

Tosches portrays Dino as a virtually schizoid burn-out waiting to happen, a man so distanced from his own humanity that casual sex, hard drinking, and a laissez-faire work ethic are the inevitable results. A frightening
image - but is it the "real" Dean Martin? Likely we'll never know, as Martin never revealed much of himself to his public (or, apparently, to his loved ones either). It's a forced choice, then: take Tosches' account as the closest thing there is to fact, or dismiss it entirely; in either case, still no Dean. As he'd have liked it, no doubt.

I'm a fan of Martin's music, film and television work; as such, it seems to me that Tosches invests so much time attempting to reveal the unknowable that he loses all sight of the performer. Perhaps he's right - that the entirety of Martin's life and career was an increasingly flimsy and facile put-on, that his status as an entertainer was rooted in a sinkhole soul and not in the desire to bring even fleeting joy to his fans. But he did anyway. With all due respect, Mr. Tosches, you can't take that away from me.

True or False - A Great Read
Here is a question for you to ask about any biography that isn't about, say, George W. Bush -- how much do the facts really matter? Do we care that Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" is far less than 100 percent accurate as far as the facts go, or do we, as strangers to all the people in the book (who are now dead anyway), simply enjoy a great read?

I am no expert on Dean Martin or the Rat Pack. I read this book because I continually saw it referred to in reviews of other books as a classic show biz bio. And it is a wonderful thing to read, with much to say about the shady milieu of mob-controlled clubs that Martin came up out of.

Parts of it read like fiction to me. Tosches writes often from Martin's perspective, giving us his sometimes bitter, mostly don't give a damn sardonicism about everything going on around him. I don't know where Tosches got this stuff. I'm not sure I trust it. How can he know a dead man's thoughts?

But it feels true. It feels right to the character that Tosches evokes -- Martin as a guy who was accidentally famous and can't take much seriously. If it were a novel, it would feel true. Tosches has shown himself to be a good enough reporter here and elsewhere that I'm willing to believe what he has his Dino say here. (There's certainly plenty of backup documentation among the notes.)

For the average reader -- what does it matter? Here is a chance to get inside another person's head. This is the rare gift literature allows us -- we can understand another human being.

"Genius"
It takes a "genius" like Nick Tosches to show us that Dean Martin had a sleazy side. Whoever would have guessed? But that's the genius of Tosches. As Nietzsche once said of Zola, Mr. Tosches "delights in stinking." And he can sniff out squalor even in the most unlikely places -- like Las Vegas in the 1960s. What's next for him I wonder? Maybe an expose of the dark underbelly of suburbia.

Stunning
As someone who's read a lot of celebrity biographies, I think that people need to keep in mind that no single volume will ever completely "explain" a person's life.

That said, I found DINO to be a stunning read. Having grown up in Ohio where Dean was always regarded as a "hometown-boy-made-good," we watched his movies, listened to his records, and faithfully watched his TV show every week. The lovable drunk persona he cultivated made show business look fun and easy and everyone in my family referred to him as Dino as if they all knew him.
So it was something of a shock to read how aloof and distant he was throughout his life. And I don't mean that in a bad way: it's just odd that someone so easy-going and affable to millions of viewers could keep those closest to him so remote and baffled.
Tosches zeroes in on that and makes it very hip. Dean eases through New York clubs of the 40's, Hollywood in the 50's, Vegas in the 60's--and nothing really impresses him. Frank Sinatra, the Mafia, JFK, Hollywood studios. Eh, whatever. This was the first biography I've read where I felt I knew LESS about a person after reading it.
Stylistically, some parts of DINO are laugh-outloud funny and Dean comes off all the cooler for it.

Does this book sum up Dean Martin's life? No. I've skimmed his son Ricci's book (and will read it someday) and I found BACKSTAGE AT 'THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW' also interesting for another side of Dean (written by his musical director).

From all of these books, you might get a decent picture of what he was really like.
And they all add up to a very smooth king of cool.

Disappointing Biography
At times I found Nick Tosches' prose practically unreadable and incomprehensible. Every other sentence [used much profanity]. This is hard to believe in spite of Dean Martin's decline during the 1970/1980s. Tosches makes too many assumptions about Martin and the author's reputation as a "stylish" writer is ludicrous. Unless one is a diehard Dean Martin fan, I do not recommend this book unless you want to learn how NOT to write a biography. ... Read more

Book Description

John Marshall remains one of the towering figures in the landscape of American law. From the Revolution to the age of Jackson, he played a critical role in defining the "province of the judiciary" and the constitutional limits of legislative action. In this masterly study, Charles Hobson clarifies the coherence and thrust of Marshall's jurisprudence while keeping in sight the man as well as the jurist.

Hobson argues that contrary to his critics, Marshall was no ideologue intent upon appropriating the lawmaking powers of Congress. Rather, he was deeply committed to a principled jurisprudence that was based on a steadfast devotion to a "science of law" richly steeped in the common law tradition. As Hobson shows, such jurisprudence governed every aspect of Marshall's legal philosophy and court opinions, including his understanding of judicial review.

The chief justice, Hobson contends, did not invent judicial review (as many have claimed) but consolidated its practice by adapting common law methods to the needs of a new nation. In practice, his use of judicial review was restrained, employed almost exclusively against acts of the state legislatures. Ultimately, he wielded judicial review to prevent the states from undermining the power of a national government still struggling to establish sovereignty at home and respect abroad.

No chief justice and only one associate justice (William Douglas) served longer on the Supreme Court. But, as Hobson clearly shows, Marshall's deserved place in the pantheon of great American jurists rests far more upon principles than longevity. This book better than any other tells us why that's true and worthy of our attention. ... Read more

Book Description

From a thatched hut in the middle of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was schooled by missionaries and raised by his uncle. He skipped rocks in river streams and ran away to Johannesburg to work in the mines before going to law school.

Reviews (2)

Excellent chronology of topics
Let me first confess that I am the named research aide who assisted Professor Johnson on this book. But what I didn't have anything to do with was his useful organization of the caselaw into topical segments. Not only is this book a useful work for the reasons stated by the other reviewer(s), but if someone wants to know the Court's holdings over time in a number of areas, such as the law of nations or separation of powers, this is a useful book. Professor Johnson organizes the book so that a researcher may use it to glean trends on a particular topic rather than presenting a jumble of topics and leaving it up to the reader to discern the development of the law on a given issue.

I might also note that Professor Johnson's conducted meticulous research over many years organizing Supreme Court decisions by topic in a fashion only rivaled by West Publishing.

Excellent legal analysis
For those who wish to read a biography of our greatest chief justice, this is not the book to read. For those who are interested in the jurisprudence of C.J. Marshall, this book provides an outstanding introduction. The book provides compelling, and accurate, evidence that in addition to John Marshall being a great jurist, he was also, and foremost, a founding father -- one of the few who realized the potential for our great nation. While it can be successfully argued that at times Marshall expanded the powers of the Supreme Court beyond those intended by the authors of the Constitution, the book also provides a compelling argument for the necessity of expanding those powers. Johnson successfully reasons that, where it not for Marshall's ability to occasionaly read "beyond" the strict guidelines of the Constitution, the role of judicial review (and hence our constitutional guarantees) would not exist today. Overall, an excellent study into a chief justice whose concerns where not those of partisanship -- but rather those of aiding a fledgling country through its formative years. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a Must Read
the Life of Malcolm X a Very Complex Brother with so Many things going on all at once.He Died so young while Constanly Evolving.He was Limit-Less&Growing in so many other Areas as Human Being.this Book brings to light so much.a Must Read.

Excellent, well-written biography
This biography not only covers the crucial events of Malcolm X's life, but it also provides a historical context for them. The author really tries to give you a sense of what was happening in the U.S. socially and politically from Malcolm's birth to his death. Through his excelling writing, you get a real understanding of what was going on at the time. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Malcolm X, the Civil Rights Movement, or American History. ... Read more