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Review from: Choice,
December 1996
"Facts ...," Paddock writes in
the preface to her new book, "is a straightforward, chronologically
organized reference compilation of essential historical information about
one of the nation's oldest and most important institutions." This sentence
not only describes this useful new reference book, it sets the tone. Facts
has a chapter for each of the nation's 16 chief justices. Each chapter
begins with a historical overview of the period, followed by a
biographical sketch of the chief justice, profiles of the associate
justices, and summaries of the significant cases addressed by that
particular court. Of especial value are the case summaries, which allow
average readers to grasp the intricate legal issues that have shaped the
nation. Although the general index includes a great many specific terms, a
number of concepts are missing; "education," "religion," and
"transportation," to give just three examples, are not to be found in the
general index. This limitation aside, Facts will be a useful addition to
any public and academic library.
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