Richard Brookhiser

A Founding Father, a Revolutionary fighter, a lawyer, a VA politician, a national politician, a disciple of Washington, Secretary of State under President John Adams until Adams nominated him to the Supreme Court where Marshall served for 34 years!
This may look like a man who seems distant and hard to understand, a man who is more marble than flesh, more imaginary than relatable. But that is NOT the case with Justice Marshall. Author Richard Brookhiser has brought to life Chief Justice John Marshall in a way that makes him seem understandable, real, relatable. Here was a man who loved his family dearly, who even hated some family with a passion (ahem...second cousin Thomas Jefferson), who loved nothing more than to hang out with his friends, drink and play games all while b.s.ing and enjoying the time as it went by. He was bright, loved to read and write, and could cajole many into seeing his way of thinking...which may be why he had so many unanimous decisions.
While not a traditional biography, Mr. Brookhiser has written a biography as seen through the major decisions that he and his courts ruled upon. I have not seen biography like this before and was taken aback initially, but grew to love the history behind the cases, what stage Marshall was in in his life and the doings of his family and such, and ultimately the case and the decisions that he and the courts made on them.
So good, so original, so readable and so relatable. Highly recommended to readers of history, lovers of the revolutionary times, or those interested in the Supreme Court and its history. An easy four stars.… (more)