
The Chief
The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts
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Narrated by:
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Jennywren Walker
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By:
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Joan Biskupic
About this listen
An incisive biography of the Supreme Court's enigmatic chief justice, taking us inside the momentous legal decisions of his tenure so far.
John Roberts was named to the Supreme Court in 2005 claiming he would act as a neutral umpire in deciding cases. His critics argue he has been anything but, pointing to his conservative victories on voting rights and campaign finance. Yet he broke from orthodoxy in his decision to preserve Obamacare. How are we to understand the motives of the most powerful judge in the land?
In The Chief, award-winning journalist Joan Biskupic contends that Roberts is torn between two often divergent priorities: to carry out a conservative agenda and to protect the Court's image and his place in history. Biskupic shows how Roberts' dual commitments have fostered distrust among his colleagues, with major consequences for the law. Trenchant and authoritative, The Chief reveals the making of a justice and the drama on this nation's highest court.
©2019 Joan Biskupic (P)2019 Hachette AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"Assiduously reported and briskly written...[Biskupic] suggests that [Roberts] is pulled by two often-conflicting instincts. One is ideological: a desire to move the court rightward on race, religion and other issues. The other is institutional: an interest in the court being respected and seen as nonpolitical."—New York Times Book Review
Biased and embarrassing
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Wages for workers are merely collateral damage, when important freedoms for management are at stake. The most troubling aspects of the Roberts Court are predictable, based upon his biases by his racial & Catholic beliefs.
This umpire has a deep desire to win, not just “call balls and strikes.” His robes cloak a massive ego, given to repression of racial issues, and justifying his Catholic hierarchical instincts. In our world shifted by neuroscience powered by “Thinking Fast and Slow,” Roberts’ deference to elite control, will spell misery for millions of the working poor.
Chief Justice John Roberts Undercover
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Excellent in every way!
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Decent Book, but a Little Early
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story was overly politicized.
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Interesting Read
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Distracting mispronunciations
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Worthwhile pursuit
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Flat
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Put me to sleep
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