Title: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Author: Irin Carmon
First published October 27, 2015
240 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780062415837 (ISBN10: 0062415832)
Rating: 4.19
Overview
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is more than just a Supreme Court Justice- she’s a feminist icon. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, written by the creator of the internet sensation and an award-winning journalist, takes you on a journey through the life and work of this remarkable woman.
From her early days fighting for gender equality to her powerful dissents on the bench, Ginsburg has inspired millions with her strength and determination. This intimate and irreverent look at her life is a must-read for anyone who cares about civil rights and the ongoing struggle for equality.
So come along and discover why you can’t spell truth without Ruth.
About the Author
Meet Irin Carmon, an Israeli-American journalist and commentator who covers women, politics, and culture as a national reporter at MSNBC. She’s also a Visiting Fellow in the Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice at Yale Law School.
Irin is one impressive lady, having been named one of Forbes’ “30 under 30” in media in 2011 and featured in New York Magazine as a face of young feminism. Her reporting on the Mississippi Personhood Initiative for Salon earned her the November 2011 Sidney award from The Sidney Hillman Foundation, and in 2014, Mediaite recognized her as one of the Best TV pundits.
Editoral Review
Book Review: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon
Irin Carmon’s Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a timely and essential work that explores the life and legacy of one of the most influential women in American legal history. In this riveting biography, Carmon presents a full and nuanced portrait of Justice Ginsburg’s remarkable career and enduring impact as a feminist icon and legal pioneer.
Notorious RBG is a hybrid of biography, legal analysis, and social commentary that is written with a fresh and contemporary tone that is accessible to both legal experts and general readers alike. The book is divided into four parts, beginning with Ginsburg’s upbringing and education, and continuing through her tenure on the Supreme Court.
The book is meticulous in its research and Carmon’s writing is engaging and insightful. She brings to life not only Ginsburg but also the larger social and political landscape in which she operated.
Throughout the book, Carmon examines the legal opinions and decisions that shaped Ginsburg’s career and analyzes how they were motivated by her fierce commitment to gender equality. One of the strengths of the book is Carmon’s attention to detail and her ability to provide context to Ginsburg’s legal opinions.
Through this approach, readers gain a deep appreciation for the significance of the landmark cases that Ginsburg argued before the Supreme Court, such as United States v. Virginia and Olmstead v.
L.C.
Notorious RBG also provides a candid look at Ginsburg’s personal life, including her relationship with her husband Marty and her battle with cancer. In this way, Carmon humanizes the justice, which is an important aspect of appreciating her legacy.
One of the significant aspects of the book is its relevance to current feminist and political movements. Carmon provides a historical perspective on the fight for gender equality and demonstrates how much work remains to be done.
In addition, the book is suffused with an inspirational message of perseverance, which makes it a must-read for anyone interested in the continuing struggle for social justice. Overall, Notorious RBG is an engrossing and insightful read that is both a valuable contribution to the literature on gender and legal history and a celebration of Justice Ginsburg’s life and work.
It is a superbly written, well-researched, and engaging biography that is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of social justice in America. Score: 4.5 out of 5.
The only weakness of the book is that some readers may find it hard to keep pace with the legal jargon and terminologies used in the book. Nonetheless, the author has done an excellent job of explaining them as she progresses into more complex topics, provided these explanations are not personalized.
In conclusion, if you are interested in the history of the feminist movement, the legal system, or just a good, inspiring read, then Notorious RBG is for you. Be prepared, however, to put it down and feel emboldened into making a difference.
