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Title details for Without Precedent by Joel Richard Paul - Available

Without Precedent

Chief Justice John Marshall and His Times

by Joel Richard Paul
Fred Sanders
Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
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2 of 2 copies available
From the author of Unlikely Allies and Indivisible comes the remarkable story of John Marshall who, as chief justice, statesman, and diplomat, played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States.
 
No member of America's Founding Generation had a greater impact on the Constitution and the Supreme Court than John Marshall, and no one did more to preserve the delicate unity of the fledgling United States. From the nation's founding in 1776 and for the next forty years, Marshall was at the center of every political battle. As Chief Justice of the United States—the longest-serving in history—he established the independence of the judiciary and the supremacy of the federal Constitution and courts. As the leading Federalist in Virginia, he rivaled his cousin Thomas Jefferson in influence. As a diplomat and secretary of state, he defended American sovereignty against France and Britain, counseled President John Adams, and supervised the construction of the city of Washington. D.C.
This is the astonishing true story of how a rough-cut frontiersman⁠—born in Virginia in 1755 and with little formal education—invented himself as one of the nation's preeminent lawyers and politicians who then reinvented the Constitution to forge a stronger nation. Without Precedent is the engrossing account of the life and times of this exceptional man, who with cunning, imagination, and grace shaped America's future as he held together the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the country itself.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    February 20, 2018

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780525528333
      • File size: 495181 KB
      • Duration: 17:11:37

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Fred Sanders recounts the life of Chief Justice John Marshall from his humble origins to his service in the Revolutionary War. Over the years, he served as a legislator, a diplomat, and a true champion of the Supreme Court as an institution. Sanders's narration highlights the intelligence and charisma of the judge, a federalist stalwart who had the remarkable ability to inspire his philosophical opposites to overwhelmingly agree with his judicial rulings. Marshall is often contrasted with his political foe, Thomas Jefferson; here, author Joel Richard Paul eloquently gives the towering figure of American jurisprudence his due. As this audiobook documents his protean achievements as Chief Justice, it becomes clear that his length of service, history-making rulings, and influence on the court remain unparalleled. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from December 18, 2017
      In this comprehensive and insightful biography, Paul (Unlikely Allies), professor of constitutional and international law at UC-Hastings Law School, asserts that John Marshall (1755–1835), the fourth chief justice of the U.S., did more than anyone to “preserve the delicate unity of the fledgling republic.” While clearly a fan of his subject, Paul questions Marshall’s behavior, particularly his approach to slavery before and after he assumed the bench. Born of humble Virginia frontier origins, Marshall’s formal education was limited to a year of grammar school and six weeks of law school. Prior to his time on the high court, Marshall served under Washington at Valley Forge and was briefly a Virginia state representative before becoming secretary of state under John Adams. Marshall’s most famous decision during his record 34-year tenure as chief justice was Marbury v. Madison, which established the fundamental principle that courts had the authority to assess the constitutionality of a law. Positing that the decision was based on perjured testimony by Marshall’s brother James and that “the chief justice not only knew this but probably asked him to lie,” Paul explains and contextualizes the shocking ethical breach. Paul has produced an excellent treatment of an unquestionably impressive life. Agent: Roger S. Williams, Roger Williams Agency.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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