John Marshall

“Read. Be proud of our country.”

“A rousing, eye-opening life and times of one of the
most underappreciated figures in American history…As an account of the
courtroom dramas in which Marshall was involved, the foreign and domestic
intrigues, the clashes of temperamental geniuses, Unger’s book is unsurpassed.”

“Highly readable…Unger’s rigorously
researched book offers a window into the everyday life of eighteenth- and
nineteenth-century North America…Unger’s biography of John Marshall reveals how
he saved the nation but also democracy’s fragility.”

“Unger is a masterful storyteller. As he unfolds
Marshall’s personal life, his career at law, and his service as chief justice,
Unger also provides a concise tale of the birth of the United States as a
unified country under the Constitution. This biography serves the dual purpose
of explaining Marshall’s critical role in saving the nation from chaos while
giving a concise account of the social and political forces at play during the
nation’s salad days…In telling the story of Marshall, Unger provides keen
insight into the very foundation of the United States of America and an
excellent introduction to the United States Constitution and the Supreme Court,
especially for those who want to know the story without having to read volumes
of case law and sometimes arcane exegetical texts.”

“Those interested in the founding fathers will appreciate this scholarly, accessible title.”

“Unger offers a comprehensive account of Marshall’s
life and career that provides interesting insights into his personal qualities
and political sympathies…But Unger is at his best covering the history-altering
judicial activities of the court under Marshall, especially as the court
clashed with the executive power of the Jefferson and Jackson administration…A
well-done tribute to the man who made the judiciary a truly coequal branch of
the national government.”

“Unger chooses to present all aspects of Marshall’s life, including his military
heroism and his extraordinary devotion to a chronically ill wife and their
children…Well-researched, and the author is skilled at
portraying the characters and viewpoints of Marshall’s political friends and
foes. Thomas Jefferson comes across as a stubborn, politically motivated, and sometimes hypocritical man, and Unger employs the Marshall-Jefferson enmity
effectively, adding tension to the narrative. A vigorous account of an influential American life.”

“By
varying his tone, pacing, and volume, narrator Robert Fass brings this portrait
of Chief Justice John Marshall to dramatic life. The adjustments in his reading
style seem natural and appropriate. In quoting the fiery Patrick Henry, Fass
nearly yells (although the editor adjusts the volume, so the effect is there
without shattering the listener’s eardrums). Then he takes a more theatrical
tone with the words of Daniel Webster. For Marshall himself, he adopts a
studied tone, which is fitting for the champion of a centrist judiciary. Fass
generally takes a solemn approach for quoting court rulings. In the rest of the
work, Fass carries the reading along smoothly, with an engaging tone. It would
have been easy to fall into a somnolent rhythm, but Fass resists.”