The Douglas Letters: Selections from the Private Papers of Justice William O. Douglas

by William O. Douglas

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0917561465
• ISBN13: 9780917561467
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Adler & Adler Publishers
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Sole Published Collection of Douglas Letters

This is the only collection of Douglas letters that I am aware of that has been published. Especially important is that the collection was assembled and annotated by Professor Melvin Urofsky, who has consistently done such an outstanding job in publishing seven volumes of the correspondence of Justices Louis D. Brandeis, as well as numerous important studies relating to the Supreme Court and its history. He has also played a critical role in the publications program at the Supreme Court Historical Society. The book is organized as follows: Urofsky's introduction; followed by a section on WOD as Justice, consisting of a chapter dealing with Supreme Court Procedures; an entire chapter devoted to Felix Frankfurter and his relationship with WOD; another chapter on other of "the brethren" ranging from Stone through Rehnquist; and rights and civil liberties decisions. The second section focuses upon WOD's public activities, followed by a section relating to his private life. Finally, some letters are included relating to possible impeachment and Douglas' final years on the Court. As usual, Urofsky has added helpful annotations to most letters to clarify their context. The book runs about 430 pages. Originally published in 1987, when Douglas (1898-1980)was still somewhat a contemporary figure, the collection reminds us of how significant a figure WOD was in American politics and law for nearly half-a-century. It is a fitting memorial to him.