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Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court Audiobook
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(3.05) - 165 listener ratings
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Beginning in 1935, in a series of devastating decisions, the Supreme Court's conservative majority left much of Franklin Roosevelt's agenda in ruins. The pillars of the New Deal fell in short succession. It was not just the New Deal but democracy itself that stood on trial. In February 1937, Roosevelt struck back with an audacious plan to expand the Court to fifteen justices—and to "pack" the new seats with liberals who shared his belief in a "living" Constitution.
The ensuing fight was a firestorm that engulfed the White House, the Court, Congress, and the nation. The final verdict was a shock. It dealt FDR the biggest setback of his political life, split the Democratic party, and set the stage for a future era of Republican dominance. Yet the battle also transformed America's political and constitutional landscape, hastening the nation's march into the modern world.
This brilliant work of history unfolds like a thriller, with vivid characters and unexpected twists. Providing new evidence and fresh insight, Jeff Shesol shows why understanding the Court fight is essential to understanding the presidency, personality, and legacy of FDR—and to understanding America at a crossroads in its history.
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"This book was very good. I felt like it covered the episode fairly. I also like that it didn't make FDR out to be a saint, nor to be a madman. It also helped to understand current politics and how political minds think to get changes in society and to help society, or their way of helping."
— Sabrina (4 out of 5 stars)
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Shesol is a terrific storyteller, and he brings the book's events to life by taking the [listener] inside the key places where the constitutional conflict took shape.
— The Boston Globe -
“Supreme Power is an extraordinary book that rings with relevance for our time. One of the most eloquent historians of his generation, Jeff Shesol has a deep understanding of the presidency, and the interplay of politics, personalities, and principles, all of which he brings to life in this rich, remarkable book. Full of surprises and new insights—each rendered in clear and confident prose—this book is about more than FDR’s plan to pack the Court. It’s about America’s enduring struggle to reconcile our founders’ ideals with conflicting challenges in our constant pursuit to build a more perfect union.”
— President Bill Clinton -
“Supreme Power is by far the most detailed—and most riveting—account of this extraordinary event…an impressive and engaging book—an excellent work of narrative history. It is deeply researched and beautifully written.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“With insight and more than occasional humor, Shesol covers all aspects of the controversy, deftly explaining the issues at stake in a variety of legal opinions and shrewdly analyzing the intra-Court dynamics.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Supreme Power Listener Reviews
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" A bit dry accounting for a very critical moment in FDR's administration. It is at its best in the biographical accounting of the main players (Wheeler, Cummings, Roberts, Holmes, Robinson, etc.). "
— Gabe, 11/23/2013 -
" Humongous and not my usual style. But written by the friend of a friend -- and surprisingly good. Was my bedtime companion for quite a while. So lonely now without FDR in bed with me . . . "
— Queenie, 11/16/2013 -
" Activities preceding and surrounding FDR's efforts to pack the Supreme Court. Good history of the 20th century Supreme Court. "
— Paula, 7/15/2013 -
" An interesting insight into FDR's quest to expand the Supreme Court. I particularly enjoyed the explanation of the national state that lead FDR down this path. At times, the book could have been more concise, especially in the epilogue. "
— Tony, 2/19/2013 -
" Interesting read. Recommended if you like political/legal history. "
— Cole, 1/16/2013 -
" Still my favorite book I've read so far. While yes it is biased toward portraying FDR's motives behind packing he Supreme Court in a positive light, it is however extremely informative and engaging. "
— David, 9/19/2012 -
" This was a fine book about America in mid-depression. It reminds us what politics can be - and has long since not been. "
— Armen, 8/19/2012 -
" This was a fine book about America in mid-depression. It reminds us what politics can be - and has long since not been. "
— Armen, 12/29/2010 -
" Activities preceding and surrounding FDR's efforts to pack the Supreme Court. Good history of the 20th century Supreme Court. "
— Paula, 11/27/2010 -
" I suppose no age is free from shenanigans. I was unaware how "crafty" FDR was, and was interested to see how weather and untimely death could frustrate the designs of man.<br/><br/><br/><br/>This book has some eerie parallels to our current President and associates. "
— Vaughn, 7/17/2010 -
" A bit dry accounting for a very critical moment in FDR's administration. It is at its best in the biographical accounting of the main players (Wheeler, Cummings, Roberts, Holmes, Robinson, etc.). "
— Gabe, 6/14/2010
About Jeff Shesol
Jeff Shesol is a founding partner of West Wing Writers, a speechwriting and communications strategy firm, and a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. Before he became a speechwriter, Shesol wrote and drew the syndicated comic strip Thatch, which appeared daily in more than 150 newspapers. His book Mutual Contempt was a New York Times Notable Book and a Washington Post Critic’s Choice. He continues to publish widely under his own byline and appears frequently on television and radio. A Rhodes Scholar, Shesol got his master’s in history from Oxford University in 1993 and graduated from Brown University in 1991. He was the 2002 Anschutz Distinguished fellow in American studies at Princeton University, where he taught a course on the history of the presidential speech. He lives in Washington with his wife and their two children.