"A worthwhile contribution to the literature."—Journal of American History
"A welcome addition to the historiography on Brown."—The Historian
"Using the private papers of the justices, the author gives the readers a multilayered discussion of the many issues that gave rise to and engulfed Brown v. Board."—Great Plains Research
"[An] excellent exploration of Jackson’s farewell meditation on the role of the Supreme Court in U.S. democracy at a crucial moment in its history."—Journal of Southern History
"This slim volume overflows with fascinating details about Justice Jackson and the Supreme Court."—Kansas History
"We should be grateful that [O’Brien] has now made Jackson’s opinion so easily accessible, along with background material on the Court’s struggle to do the right thing in Brown."—Review of Politics
"O'Brien’s book is timely, and its subject matter seems even more relevant considering how much polarizing social commentary is now occurring in our cities and political circles on the issue of race equality."—Arizona Attorney
"Provides a wealth of background material on arguably the most significant Supreme Court decision of the 20th century. This short book, which includes a chronology, relevant opinions, and extensive endnotes and bibliography, is an exceptionally useful resource for understanding the Brown decision. Highly recommended."—Choice
“Despite the plethora of books on Brown v. Board, David O’Brien has given us a new and striking look at that decision. Utilizing Justice Jackson’s unpublished opinion, he brilliantly recreates the debate that took place within the Marble Palace, and in doing so, makes us rethink some basic assumptions about the greatest case of the twentieth century. O’Brien once again shows why he is one of the today’s foremost scholars of the Court.”—Melvin I. Urofsky, author of Dissent and the Supreme Court: Its Role in the Court’s History and the Nation's Constitutional Dialogue
“O’Brien’s informative new book offers a comprehensive examination and reevaluation of the ongoing controversies over Justice Robert H. Jackson’s motivations and actions in Brown v. Board of Education. Building off the six drafts of Jackson’s unpublished opinion in this case, O’Brien usefully provides a new window not only into Jackson’s role in this case, but into the Court’s final ruling as well.”—Charles Zelden, author of Bush v. Gore: Exposing the Hidden Crisis in American Democracy, Abridged and Updated
“This is a well-crafted work in legal history. O’Brien is at his best in giving us a sense of the human interactions behind the Supreme Court’s decision making. The meticulous research in this volume helps us to better understand the judicial process. O’Brien gives us valuable insight into the conflicts and countercurrents that contributed to the ultimate outcome in the Supreme Court’s most important case, Brown vs. Board of Education. The book should gain a broad audience among scholars in law, history and political science and in undergraduate, graduate and law school classes.”—Robert J. Cottrol, author of The Long, Lingering Shadow: Slavery, Race and Law in the American Hemisphere
