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The trailblazing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her own words. Her most essential writings on gender equality and women's rights, reproductive health care, and voting and civil rights, now available in a short, accessible volume as part of the new Penguin Liberty series.

A Penguin Classic

Table of Contents

Series Introduction by Corey Brettschneider

Introduction by Corey Brettschneider

A Note on the Text

DECISIONS AND DISSENTS OF JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG

Part I: Gender Equality and Women's Rights
Brief for the Appellant in Reed v. Reed (1970)
Brief Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union in Craig v. Boren (1976)
Majority Opinion in United States v. Virginia (1996)
Dissenting Opinion in Lilly Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Inc. (2007)

Part II: Reproductive Freedom
Brief for the Petitioner in Struck v. Secretary of Defense (1972)
Dissenting Opinion in Gonzales v. Carhart (2007)
Dissenting Opinion in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (2014)
Concurring Opinion in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt (2016)

Part III: Voting and Civil Rights
Dissenting Opinion in Adarand Constructors v. Pena (1995)
Majority Opinion in Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
Dissenting Opinion in Bush v. Gore (2000)
Dissenting Opinion in Ricci v. DeStefano (2009)
Dissenting Opinion in Shelby County v. Holder (2013)

Unabridged Source Materials

About the Author

Corey Brettschneider is professor of political science at Brown University, where he teaches constitutional law and politics, as well as visiting professor of law at Fordham Law School. He has also been a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and the University of Chicago Law School. His recent writing has appeared in The New York Times, Politico, and The Washington Post. His new book is The Oath and the Office- A Guide to the Constitution for Future Presidents, which Kirkus calls "vital reading for all Americans." Brettschneider is frequently interviewed about constitutional issues on BBC, Sirius XM, and other media outlets. He is also the author of two books about constitutional law and civil liberties and numerous articles that appear in top academic journals and law reviews. His constitutional law casebook is widely used in classrooms throughout the United States. Brettschneider holds a PhD in politics from Princeton and a JD from Stanford Law School.

Reviews

"Accessible, well-edited selections amply demonstrating the astute thinking and sharp voice of an indispensable legal mind."
-Kirkus, starred review

"Brettschneider reminds us that the right to dissent is essential to freedom. Ginsburg's clear and frequently evocative language in her court opinions makes full use of this right."
-Booklist

"A portable collection of RBG's writing on gender equality, reproductive rights, and other legal opinions, ideal for gift-giving."
-Library Journal