Trial Magazine

Supreme Anecdotes: Tales from the Supreme Court

by Robert S. Peck and Anthony Champagne
Rand-Smith Books
https://www.randsmithbooks.com/
350 pp.; $22.99

Authors Robert Peck, a trial attorney, and Anthony Champagne, a professor of political science at the University of Texas at Dallas, unveil the unique personalities and human experiences behind the monumental decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Through lively stories, the authors reveal justices not only as legal authorities but as real people—quirky, resilient, and sometimes flawed. We meet Chief Justice John Marshall, who slyly enjoyed wine only when it rained, and Justice Joseph Bradley, whose friend described him as “amusingly petulant—naturally eccentric.” The book brings forward endearing tales and touches on personal challenges, emphasizing the justices’ humanity. This engaging collection of stories provides a relatable lens into the often-opaque institution, blending humor, history, and insight into the lives that shaped American law.

Cloud Policy: A History of Regulating Pipelines, Platforms, and Data

by Jennifer Holt
Penguin Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/
326 pp.; $65.00

How has U.S. regulation of digital infrastructure impacted civil liberties and democracy? Author Jennifer Holt explores the evolution of American media infrastructure policy and its profound consequences on society’s democratic fabric. By examining the development of broadband pipelines, digital platforms, and data storage as parts of the “cloud,” Holt reveals how policies originally crafted for analog industries like railroads and telephony are still shaping digital governance today, often undermining public interest in favor of corporate power. This meticulously researched history demonstrates how outdated policies have enabled corporate gatekeepers to prioritize profits over the public good, compromising privacy and accessibility. She concludes by urging readers to envision restorative, community-driven reforms for a more equitable digital future.

Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love

by Marlene M. Johnson
University of Minnesota Press
https://www.upress.umn.edu/
248 pp.; $24.95

Marlene Johnson, Minnesota’s first female lieutenant governor, details her political career and the personal fortitude she exhibited amid profound loss. Her story begins in rural Minnesota, where she first recognized the importance of community advocacy and education. Driven by a commitment to serve, she rose through public office to eventually serve alongside Gov. Rudy Perpich in 1983. Johnson offers a heartfelt look at her partnership with her husband, Peter, whose unwavering support bolstered her resolve as she navigated the male-dominated world of politics. When Peter suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2010, Johnson took on the role of caregiver, showcasing her resilience through both political and personal adversity. The book is an inspiring narrative of leadership, resilience, and the enduring power of personal and professional dedication to social change.

The Riders Come Out at Night: Brutality, Corruption, and Cover-Up in Oakland

by Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham
Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com/
480 pp.; $19.99

After two decades of investigative reporting, Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham dive into corruption and failed reform efforts within the Oakland Police Department. They document a system plagued with violence, misconduct, and a resistance to change, embodied by “The Riders,” known for brutality and abuse. The book follows Oakland’s turbulent history, from the Civil Rights Movement to its modern-day revitalization, showing how these events shaped the police force’s culture. Amid the corruption, figures like rookie cop turned whistleblower Keith Batt and civil rights lawyers Jim Chanin and John Burris emerge as persistent reform advocates. The authors expose challenges to meaningful reform, capturing how deeply ingrained corruption and political dynamics resist transformation.

Reviving Rural America

by Ann M. Eisenberg
Cambridge University Press
https://www.cambridge.org/core/
224 pp.; $34.99

Anne Eisenberg, an associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, offers a hopeful counter-narrative to the prevalent idea that rural America is in irreversible decline. Eisenberg argues that rural challenges are not simply the result of market abandonment but are deeply connected to legal and policy decisions shaped by subjective values and systemic neglect. Through an analysis of rural myths and stereotypes, she exposes the complexities of rural life and the factors exacerbating the urban-rural divide. Each chapter dismantles a different misconception, revealing how misunderstandings and biases influence policy to the detriment of rural communities. She ends by advocating for laws and policies that view rural America as a shared national asset and envisions a future in which holistic support fosters resilience and justice for rural areas.