The Supreme Court Compendium

Library Journal

Epstein (law & political science, Univ. of Southern California), Jeffrey A. Segal (political science, SUNY Stony Brook), Harold J. Spaeth (political science, Michigan State Univ.), and Thomas G. Walker (political science, Emory Univ.) here objectively provide nearly every type of data relevant to the United States Supreme Court. They offer, for example, an institutional overview of the court, an outline of the constitutional provisions guiding it, profiles of the individual justices, and a discussion of the environment in which the institution has operated. Also featured are "Departures from the Court," which lists when and why justices have left, as well as their replacements, and "Classic Statements from the Bench," some well known and others not as widely quoted. It is worthwhile for users to read the preface and introduction to gain an understanding of how this book is laid out and how to find the information needed. The authors also include a useful link to a website where readers can check source notes from earlier editions and an email address to which they may send corrections. Information on whether a decision was later overturned is not included in the data set, so this means further research for users. VERDICT Highly useful for legal history researchers and others with some knowledge of legal citation and terminology and who are interested in the history of the Supreme Court.—Beth Bland, Milwaukee