John Marshall - Softcover

Unger, Harlow Giles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0306824566 ISBN 13: 9780306824562

Publisher: Da Capo Press, 2016

Synopsis

The surprising life of Chief Justice John Marshall, who turned the Supreme Court into a bulwark against presidential and congressional tyranny and saved American democracy
In this startling biography, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger reveals how Virginia-born John Marshall emerged from the Revolutionary War's bloodiest battlefields to become one of the nation's most important Founding Fathers: America's greatest Chief Justice. With nine decisions that shocked the nation, John Marshall and his court saved American liberty by protecting individual rights and the rights of private business against tyranny by federal, state, and local government.

About this title

About the Author:

An acclaimed historian, Harlow Giles Unger is a former Distinguished Visiting Fellow at George Washington s Mount Vernon. He is the author of twenty-four books, including eleven biographies of America's Founding Fathers and three histories of the early republic. He lives in New York City."

Review:

"Kirkus Reviews," 8/1/14
A cradle-to-grave biography of the U.S. Supreme Court s longest-serving chief justiceUnger chooses to present all aspects of Marshall's life, including his military heroism and his extraordinary devotion to a chronically ill wife and their childrenIt is well-researched, and the author is skilled at portraying the characters and viewpoints of Marshall s political friends and foes. Thomas Jefferson comes across as a stubborn, politically motivated and sometimes hypocritical man, and Unger employs the Marshall-Jefferson enmity effectively, adding tension to the narrative. A vigorous account of an influential American life.
"New York Post," 7/17/14
Read. Be proud of our country.
"Booklist," 9/15/14
Unger offers a comprehensive account of Marshall s life and career that provides interesting insights into his personal qualities and political sympathiesBut Unger is at his best covering the history-altering judicial activities of the court under Marshall, especially as the court clashed with the executive power of the Jefferson and Jackson administrationA well-done tribute to the man who made the judiciary a truly coequal branch of the national government.
"American History," December 2014
A rousing, eye-opening life and times of one of the most underappreciated figures in American historyAs an account of the courtroom dramas in which Marshall was involved, the foreign and domestic intrigues, the clashes of temperamental geniuses, Unger s book is unsurpassed.
"Roanoke Times," 9/28/14
Unger is a masterful storyteller. As he unfolds Marshall s personal life, his career at law and his service as chief justice, Unger also provides a concise tale of the birth of the United States as a unified country under the Constitution. This biography serves the dual purpose of explaining Marshall s critical role in saving the nation from chaos while giving a concise account of the social and political forces at play during the nation s salad daysIn telling the story of Marshall, Unger provides keen insight into the very foundation of the United States of America and an excellent introduction to the United States Constitution and the Supreme Court, especially for those who want to know the story without having to read volumes of case law and sometimes arcane exegetical texts.
"Library Journal," 10/1/14
Unger is very familiar with the founding fathersHis research is heavy on primary sourcesThose interested in the founding fathers will appreciate this scholarly, accessible title.
What Would the Founders Think?, 9/30/14
Harlow Giles Unger follows John Marshall from his birth in 1755 to his death in 1835, but he does more than that. He shines a bright light on the men we call FoundersUnger s biography is also a fascinating history of the turbulent times in which Marshall livedThis is an extensively researched biography of a man who is too little remembered today. It s become a cliche to say that a book reads like a novel, but that doesn t make it any less true. Unger is a superb writer.
New York Journal of Books, 9/30/14
Highly readableUnger's rigorously researched book offers a window into the everyday life of 18th and 19th century North AmericaUnger's biography of John Marshall reveals how he saved the nation, but also democracy's fragility.
Bookviews, November 2014
One man who played an extraordinary role in defending the Constitution is finally given his rightful honors in Harlow Giles Unger s bookA book that will give you a very different view of the men we hold in such great honorA great book.
InfoDad, 10/23/14
FascinatingA treat for scholars interested in early American history and an eye-opener for non-historians seeking insight into the unusual balance of powers within which the U.S. government functions.
"Taft Bulletin," Fall 2014
Reveals how Virginia-born John Marshall emerged from the Revolutionary War s bloodiest battlefields as a hero to become one of the nation s most important Founding Fathers.
SLUG Magazine, December 2014
Whether you re an avid consumer of American history or someone with a more casual opinion towards the stories that built our country, Unger s book is surprisingly accessibleA great read for those who like their historical nonfiction presented with all the warts, cuts and bruises that are sometimes overlooked.
San Francisco Book Review, 12/11/14
An intense history of the struggles of our early governmentIt is written well, moves fast and is very informative.
"Choice," March 2015
Unger is an excellent writerThis bookwill prove to be informative, readable, and enjoyableBelongs in the collections of all academic and public libraries.
"

Kirkus Reviews, 8/1/14
A cradle-to-grave biography of the U.S. Supreme Court s longest-serving chief justiceUnger chooses to present all aspects of Marshall's life, including his military heroism and his extraordinary devotion to a chronically ill wife and their childrenIt is well-researched, and the author is skilled at portraying the characters and viewpoints of Marshall s political friends and foes. Thomas Jefferson comes across as a stubborn, politically motivated and sometimes hypocritical man, and Unger employs the Marshall-Jefferson enmity effectively, adding tension to the narrative. A vigorous account of an influential American life.
New York Post, 7/17/14
Read. Be proud of our country.
Booklist, 9/15/14
Unger offers a comprehensive account of Marshall s life and career that provides interesting insights into his personal qualities and political sympathiesBut Unger is at his best covering the history-altering judicial activities of the court under Marshall, especially as the court clashed with the executive power of the Jefferson and Jackson administrationA well-done tribute to the man who made the judiciary a truly coequal branch of the national government.
American History, December 2014
A rousing, eye-opening life and times of one of the most underappreciated figures in American historyAs an account of the courtroom dramas in which Marshall was involved, the foreign and domestic intrigues, the clashes of temperamental geniuses, Unger s book is unsurpassed.
Roanoke Times, 9/28/14
Unger is a masterful storyteller. As he unfolds Marshall s personal life, his career at law and his service as chief justice, Unger also provides a concise tale of the birth of the United States as a unified country under the Constitution. This biography serves the dual purpose of explaining Marshall s critical role in saving the nation from chaos while giving a concise account of the social and political forces at play during the nation s salad daysIn telling the story of Marshall, Unger provides keen insight into the very foundation of the United States of America and an excellent introduction to the United States Constitution and the Supreme Court, especially for those who want to know the story without having to read volumes of case law and sometimes arcane exegetical texts.
Library Journal, 10/1/14
Unger is very familiar with the founding fathersHis research is heavy on primary sourcesThose interested in the founding fathers will appreciate this scholarly, accessible title.
What Would the Founders Think?, 9/30/14
Harlow Giles Unger follows John Marshall from his birth in 1755 to his death in 1835, but he does more than that. He shines a bright light on the men we call FoundersUnger s biography is also a fascinating history of the turbulent times in which Marshall livedThis is an extensively researched biography of a man who is too little remembered today. It s become a cliche to say that a book reads like a novel, but that doesn t make it any less true. Unger is a superb writer.
New York Journal of Books, 9/30/14
Highly readableUnger's rigorously researched book offers a window into the everyday life of 18th and 19th century North AmericaUnger's biography of John Marshall reveals how he saved the nation, but also democracy's fragility.
Bookviews, November 2014
One man who played an extraordinary role in defending the Constitution is finally given his rightful honors in Harlow Giles Unger s bookA book that will give you a very different view of the men we hold in such great honorA great book.
InfoDad, 10/23/14
FascinatingA treat for scholars interested in early American history and an eye-opener for non-historians seeking insight into the unusual balance of powers within which the U.S. government functions.
Taft Bulletin, Fall 2014
Reveals how Virginia-born John Marshall emerged from the Revolutionary War s bloodiest battlefields as a hero to become one of the nation s most important Founding Fathers.
SLUG Magazine, December 2014
Whether you re an avid consumer of American history or someone with a more casual opinion towards the stories that built our country, Unger s book is surprisingly accessibleA great read for those who like their historical nonfiction presented with all the warts, cuts and bruises that are sometimes overlooked.
San Francisco Book Review, 12/11/14
An intense history of the struggles of our early governmentIt is written well, moves fast and is very informative.
Choice, March 2015
Unger is an excellent writerThis bookwill prove to be informative, readable, and enjoyableBelongs in the collections of all academic and public libraries.
"

About this edition

• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0306824566
• ISBN 13: 9780306824562
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 385