Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Movie, Book, and Music Review A couple of book reviews

Finished a couple of good books recently which some of the gang might enjoy:

"The Supreme Court" by the late CJ William Rehnquist. This is the updated version of his classic history. Started it during the Alito hearings. It is a history of the Court from the founding through the Burger court, covering the controversies and power struggles which have surrounded the court. It is written for the lay reader, not necessarily for lawyers. Rehnquist is a very smooth, fluent writer and the book is entertaining and informative....good ammo too for discussions with liberals who continue to view the Supremes as a kind of super-legislature and all purpose Wrong-righter.

"Snobs" by Julian Fellowes. A novel about the English aristocracy/country house crowd set in the era of New Labor....the early '90s. A really hysterical sendup of the pretensions and folkways of the British upper classes. If you like Evelyn Waugh's novels, you will love this one. The author wrote the screenplay for Gosford Park, among other things.

Just started on "The Great Influenza" by John Barry. That ought to be cheery. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Steve; I might try "The Supreme Court" as I've not been "in that direction" before.

With the recent millenial turn, I've read both "The Year 1000" by Rober Lacey and "Life In A Medieval City" by Joseph and Frances Gies recently to help put today's routine into perspective - life was tough. Particularly in the latter, there is much on the formation and development of guilds in the villages which as an attorney you might find interesting.

Then also just finished "Under Kilimanjaro" by E. Hemingway, his last published book - I'm alway astonished at what tasks he would choose the old '06 for; I've completed most of his now except for one on fishing and some of his short storys.

Thanks for the post.

Goodnews....I read Life in a Medieval City, enjoyed it much, and will look for The Year 1000. A friend gave me "1066" about (obviously) England before , during and after the Norman invasion, which is next on my list after I finish the influenza (book, not disease).

Read "Life in a Medieval City" and found it quite interesting. I haven't read "The Year 1000" as yet, but it should be on my shelf soon.

"The Great Influenza" is on my list to read, my Grandfather told me (many years ago) of the country being in near panic over the outbreak. Bad news traveled fast, even then.