Rating: 
Summary: A facinating look at the Court
Review: The book contains edited and slightly commented oral arguments for a number of cases brought before the Supreme Court of the United States since Earl Warren ordered that oral arguments be recorded. Few know that it is possible to attend oral arguments at the court (highly recommended if you ever visit Washington D.C.), and even fewer know the recordings exist. This is a set of six tapes with edited and commented (by Peter Irons) cases, together with a book which transcribes the tapes and includes highlights of the opinions in the case. There is also a brief introduction to the Court in the first tape.The cases touch on a number of issues, ranging from the highly controversial (Roe v. Wade and abortion rights, Edwards v. Aguillard and teaching of creationism in school, Johnson v. Texas and flag burning) to issues which perhaps aren't so controversial anymore (such as the 'one person, one vote' rule). They are, nonetheless, very interesting to listen to. I have very few regrets about the book, but they should perhaps be mentioned. First, there is no doubt that there is a somewhat liberal slant to the presentation and comments by Peter Irons in the tapes; I don't find it too problematical since they tend to agree with my own feelings on the subject, but others may find it annoying. Second, I cannot but be somewhat disappointed that these are ->edited<- and not the full arguments. I realize one hour or more per case may be prohibitive and it is perhaps better to have more cases and edited highlights of the arguments, but I would have loved to have access to the full argument nonetheless. At least in some cases, the impression given is certainly not that of the whole argument (in Edwards v. Aguillard, one gets the feeling that the attorney for Aguillard did pretty well, but one need only read Stephen J. Gould's account of the arguments to know that Justice Scalia trounced him and it was only through the intervention of the amicus curiae brief by the Nobel Laureates that the eventual decision was reached). And thirdly, it is very disappointing that the companion book has only highlights of the opinions in the case. The full opinion (together with full dissents and concurrences) would have been a very welcome addition to the set. Despite these problems (which are the reason I give it a 4 star rating rather than a 5; I wish we had a 4.5 rating), this is a highly recommended set. This is a great and facinating look at the Court and at oral arguments therein, and it is highly recommended. Even if you are only interested in three or four of the cases or issues, you will find it a very worthwhile investment.
Rating: 
Summary: Cassettes are great listening, book is good reference
Review: The cassettes are very interesting. I've listened to them no less than 10 times and will continue to listen to them. The commentary and the editorial comments about the dates, and context are excellent. The book serves as a good reference for recalling specific statements, quotes, and arguments.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting cassettes, the book is redundant
Review: This is a set of cassettes and a hardcover book that contains a transcript of the cassettes. The cassettes (and the transcripts) contain edited and narrated audio recorded during US Supreme Court hearings since 1953 (I think.) It is fascinating to hear the justices and attorneys actually arguing famous cases.
I listen to this in my car. They are definitely good enough to listen to several times.
I don't know if any of the other versions of this book are just the tapes without the book. If they are, it might be better to skip the book. I've only read about a third of the book, but what I've read so far is just a transcript.
The audio quality is mostly poor. I don't think the supreme court bothered to use the highest quality audio equipment. In a way, the scratchy sound emphasizes the historic content of the tapes.
I don't know what was edited out when the tapes were made, but the narration explains the context well, and the editing left plenty of interesting argument.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Outstanding!
Review: This is probably the best item I have purchased all year long, and definitely the most intellectually stimulating. I was expecting a product that would be informative and interesting, but my expectations where surpassed by leaps and bounds.
I am currently working on a case as a Pro Se litigant that I feel may very well wind up before the high court before all is said and done, and so I purchased this item to gain insight on how the justices decide cases, the methods used to argue, how the points are made and
I was surprised at the quality of the recordings. I typically dislike narrated tapes because many narrators are overbearing and feel the need to explain every little event, usually resulting in my mumbling of various expletives at the tape player like "Shut up and let me decide for myself" and "I want to hear the justices, not you describing the paintings on the wall". May It Please the Court was different however, the narrator spoke no more than necessary and was unusually informative when he did speak.
Every citizen who wants to learn how our legal system works should listen to these tapes. I have little doubt that these tapes would prove to be invaluable learning tools in the classrooms in both public high schools and in the collegiate setting.
Whether you are a law student, pro se litigant, seasoned attorney or just an average citizen wanting to know more about how the system works, May It Please the Court is well worth the price and your time.
Rating:
Summary: may it please me
Review: Well, it sure pleased me enough. I've had this collection of Supreme Court argument transcripts for years, but mostly just listened to the accompanying tape set (the unique part). But this book is pretty good, too. You get edited arguments plus edited majority and dissenting opinions in major cases since 1955--Roe v. Wade, Texas v. Johnson, Tinker v. Des Moines, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona. . .Only real problems are: 1) lack of notation on which justices voted for what; 2) ID of some court members speaking in the transcripts; 3) Irons' quite left-wing viewpoint (I don't often disagree with it, but still. . .). This is a really important glimpse into the inner workings of the still-mysterious Supreme Court, revealing all sorts of stuff about the biases and brilliances, the give-and-take, of our highest court, our last bastion of civil liberty (probably the best investigation of this institution since "The Brethren"). There are things in here that infuriate me with their obvious bigotry (Bowers v. Hardwick), others that make me tear up with pride that a government (MY government) would actually champion individual liberty in the face of majority hatred (Texas v. Johnson). Sometimes the court goes bravely against the grain, sometimes it warily reflects common sentiment, but always it's a valuable look at America's brand of democracy and philosophy.--J.Ruch
Rating:
Summary: An Historical Glimpse into Supreme Court Proceedings
Review: When I purchased this compilation, I held a wide range of very high hopes. Here I thought I would find numerous High Court appeals characterized by forceful and powerfully persuasive argument, a balanced selection of cases demonstrating the scope of issues addressed by our nation's highest judicial body, and neutral yet informative commentary. Well, one out of three ain't bad. Irons does a fine job choosing and editing the most intriguing parts of the oral arguments. Leaving in gaffes such as the assistant State Attorney General in the Gideon case seriously (but rather unwisely) suggesting to the Court that any lay person be permitted to represent criminal defendants makes one think deeply about the need for timely and effective responses to questions from the bench. The lack of preparation on the part of Sarah Weddington (attorney for Roe) is so painfully evident during the first iteration of Roe v. Wade, even the listener is embarrassed. The Court's public lambasting of the state's attorney in Brown can only bring to mind visions of Thurgood Marshall grinning with satisfaction. However, my satisfaction beyond this point was somewhat diminished. Irons deifies Chief Justice Warren far too many times for my taste (e.g., Warren broke the justice's code of silence by insisting on taping, Warren provided the Court with inimitable guidance in selecting only the cases of the greatest import, Warren's judicial foresight changed the nation, etc.) Also, the tone of the cases (Miranda v. Arizona, United States v. Nixon, Roe v. Wade, etc.) is unambiguously liberal - an irritating characteristic found on all six tapes. Further, Iron's commentary is somewhat strained when attempting, yet ultimately failing, to maintain a balanced perspective. Overall, this is an interesting and provocative work. If you can look past the editor's bias (also evidenced in his other publication May It Please the Court: The Supreme Court and the First Amendment), it has much to offer and makes for a mesmerizing evening. Recommended but be sure to keep your liberal academic filter on.
Rating:
Summary: An Historical Glimpse into Supreme Court Proceedings
Review: When I purchased this compilation, I held a wide range of very high hopes. Here I thought I would find numerous High Court appeals characterized by forceful and powerfully persuasive argument, a balanced selection of cases demonstrating the scope of issues addressed by our nation's highest judicial body, and neutral yet informative commentary. Well, one out of three ain't bad. Irons does a fine job choosing and editing the most intriguing parts of the oral arguments. Leaving in gaffes such as the assistant State Attorney General in the Gideon case seriously (but rather unwisely) suggesting to the Court that any lay person be permitted to represent criminal defendants makes one think deeply about the need for timely and effective responses to questions from the bench. The lack of preparation on the part of Sarah Weddington (attorney for Roe) is so painfully evident during the first iteration of Roe v. Wade, even the listener is embarrassed. The Court's public lambasting of the state's attorney in Brown can only bring to mind visions of Thurgood Marshall grinning with satisfaction. However, my satisfaction beyond this point was somewhat diminished. Irons deifies Chief Justice Warren far too many times for my taste (e.g., Warren broke the justice's code of silence by insisting on taping, Warren provided the Court with inimitable guidance in selecting only the cases of the greatest import, Warren's judicial foresight changed the nation, etc.) Also, the tone of the cases (Miranda v. Arizona, United States v. Nixon, Roe v. Wade, etc.) is unambiguously liberal - an irritating characteristic found on all six tapes. Further, Iron's commentary is somewhat strained when attempting, yet ultimately failing, to maintain a balanced perspective. Overall, this is an interesting and provocative work. If you can look past the editor's bias (also evidenced in his other publication May It Please the Court: The Supreme Court and the First Amendment), it has much to offer and makes for a mesmerizing evening. Recommended but be sure to keep your liberal academic filter on.
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