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The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America (The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series) Paperback – October 1, 2019

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 454 ratings

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The New York Times–bestselling author “delivers a full-throated indictment of the U.S. Supreme Court in this punchy polemic” (Publishers Weekly).

In this book, Thom Hartmann, the most popular progressive radio host in America, explains how the Supreme Court has spilled beyond its Constitutional powers—and how we the people should take that power back.

Taking his typically in-depth, historically informed view, Thom Hartmann asks, What if the Supreme Court didn’t have the power to strike down laws? According to the Constitution, it doesn’t. From the founding of the republic until 1803, the Supreme Court was the final court of appeals, as it was always meant to be. So where did the concept of judicial review start? As so much of modern American history, it began with the battle between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and with Marbury v. Madison.

Hartmann argues it is not the role of the Supreme Court to decide what the law is but rather the duty of the people themselves. He lays out the history of the Supreme Court of the United States, from Alexander Hamilton’s defense to modern-day debates, with key examples of cases where the Supreme Court overstepped its constitutional powers. The ultimate remedy to the Supreme Court’s abuse of power is with the people--the ultimate arbiter of the law—using the ballot box. America does not belong to the kings and queens; it belongs to the people.

“A meticulously documented strategy for trimming the power of nine ideologically motivated political activists unaccountable to the will of the people. . . . important and timely.”—David Korten, author of When Corporations Rule the World
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The Hidden History Series Thom Hartmann, the most popular progressive radio host in America and a New York Times bestselling author, lays out a sweeping and largely unknown history of the Supreme Court of the United States America’s most popular progressive radio host and New York Times bestselling author Thom Hartmann reveals how and why neoliberalism became so prevalent in the United States and why it's time for us to turn our backs to it. Thom Hartmann, the most popular progressive radio host in America and a New York Times bestselling author, looks at the history of the battle against oligarchy in America—and how we can win the latest round. America’s most popular progressive radio host and New York Times bestselling author Thom Hartmann paves the way to saving our democracy. America’s most popular progressive radio host and New York Times bestselling author explores the fall of the American Dream and the steps we can take to bring it back. Thom Hartmann, the most popular progressive radio host in America and a New York Times bestselling author, looks at the real history of guns in America and what we can do to limit both their lethal impact and the power of the gun lobby.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“With this masterpiece on the Supreme Court, Thom—the brilliant author of many important books—surpasses himself. It should be required reading for every person who cares about the future of our planet.”  
—John Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

“Historian, legal scholar, and political analyst extraordinaire, Thom Hartmann presents a meticulously documented strategy for trimming the power of nine ideologically motivated political activists unaccountable to the will of the people. Hartmann’s most important and timely book to date.”
—David Korten, author of When Corporations Rule the World and Change the Story, Change the Future

“Thom Hartmann’s thoughtful analysis of the history of the Supreme Court provides a clear and actionable blueprint for how champions of principled democracy can work to evolve the court in ways that makes it more responsive, transparent, and accountable.”
—Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan

“Hartmann looks at the Supreme Court today as a tool of the right and their corporate interests. He reminds us that the Declaration of Independence promises ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,’ not ‘property,’ and urges ‘we the people’ to lawfully subject SCOTUS to democratic governance.”
—Harvey J. Kaye, Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, and author of Thomas Paine and the Promise of America

“Thom Hartmann has created an elegant historical road map that reveals how one of the most influential judicial bodies on the planet evolved into such a powerful and mysterious entity.” 
—Mike Papantonio, Host of America’s Lawyer

“Thom Hartmann provides a clear-eyed view of the right-wing assault on the courts -- and a principled vision for restoring justice for the many, not just the few.”
—Lee Fang, investigative journalist 

“Thom Hartmann gives fascinating play-by-play coverage of the federal judiciary’s fall from the ‘most harmless branch’ of government to a clear and present danger to liberty and democracy. Do you want to understand how the plutocrats are trying to gavel down on We the People? Read. This. Book.”
—Alan Grayson, former member of Congress

“A brilliant, highly readable account of the least-understood democratic branch of our government, its growing power, and its hijacking by the right, this book is essential reading for anyone who’s concerned with the future of our democracy and the fate of our world.”
—Richard Eskow, writer, journalist, consultant, and broadcaster

“Hartmann has the amazing ability to bring important history to life. His new book is a must-read for people of all political persuasions to understand the history of the Court and its political impact. It is an eye-opener on the betrayal of America and what it means for our future.” 
—Bob Ney, Political Analyst, Talk Media News, and former member of Congress 

“In a provocative and easy read, Hartmann warns we have ceded enormous political and economic power to the wealthy classes, despite our founding fathers’ intention to place more corrective power in the hands of the electorate.” 
—Bill Luther, former member of Congress

“Hartmann once again goes deep to understand the origin of the crisis in the Supreme Court, which didn’t stem from Trump alone. To understand the power of the Court, its dangerously dysfunctional state, and what you can do, read this book.”
—Dahr Jamail, author of The End of Ice

About the Author

Thom Hartmann is a progressive national and internationally syndicated talk show host. Talkers Magazine named him America's #1 most important progressive host, and the host of one of the top 10 talk radio shows in the country every year for over a decade. A four-time recipient of the Project Censored Award, Hartmann is also a New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four books, translated in multiple languages.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berrett-Koehler Publishers (October 1, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1523085940
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1523085941
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.51 x 7.06 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 454 ratings

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Thom Hartmann
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Thom Hartmann is the four-time Project Censored Award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of 25 books currently in print in over a dozen languages on five continents.

Hartmann is also an internationally known speaker on culture and communications, an author, and an innovator in the fields of psychiatry, ecology, and economics.

The co-founder (with his wife, Louise) and former Executive Director of The New England Salem Children's Village (1978) and The Hunter School (1997), he has led national innovations in the areas of residential treatment for abused children and private/public education for learning-disabled children.

He has helped set up hospitals, famine relief programs, schools, and refugee centers in India, Uganda, Australia, Colombia, Russia, and the United States through the German-based Salem International program. Formerly rostered with the State of Vermont as a psychotherapist, founder of The Michigan Healing Arts Center, and licensed as an NLP Trainer by Richard Bandler (who wrote the foreword to one of Thom's books), he was the originator of the revolutionary "Hunter/Farmer Hypothesis" to understand the psychiatric condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

A guest faculty member at Goddard College in Vermont, he also synthesized the "Younger/Older Culture model" for describing the underpinnings - and possible solutions - to the world's ecological and socio-political crises, suggesting that many of our problems are grounded in cultural "stories" which go back thousands of years.

Leonardo DiCaprio was inspired by Thom's book "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight" to make the movie "The 11th Hour" (in which Thom appears), and a series of environmental videos narrated by Hartmann and DiCaprio, available at Green World Rising.

Talkers Magazine named Thom Hartmann as the most important progressive talk show host in America for the past decade, and for three of the past five years the #1 most important progressive host, in their “Heavy Hundred” ranking. His radio show is syndicated on for-profit radio stations nationwide by WYD Media, on non-profit and community stations nationwide by Pacifica, across the entire North American continent on SiriusXM Satellite radio, on cable systems nationwide by Cable Radio Network (CRN) and Free Speech TV, on its own YouTube channel, via subscription podcasts, worldwide through the US American Forces Network, and through the Thom Hartmann App in the App Store. The radio show is also simulcast as TV in realtime into nearly 60 million US and Canadian homes by the Free Speech TV Network on Dish Network, DirectTV, and cable TV systems nationwide.

As an entrepreneur, he's founded several successful businesses which still are operating, and lived and worked with his wife, Louise, and their three (now adult) children on several continents.

He was born and grew up in Michigan, and retains strong ties to the Midwest, although he and Louise have lived in New Hampshire, Vermont, Georgia, Germany, Washington DC, and Oregon.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and interesting. They describe it as well-written, easy to read, and accurate. Readers appreciate the well-documented Supreme Court rulings and consider the book an essential resource for understanding the courts and constitutional principles. Overall, they describe it as a concise and important book.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

24 customers mention "Information quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. It provides interesting material and explains the history of the Court and its impact. The author writes in an engaging, straightforward style that is easy to read.

"I had no idea of this history, which is fascinating and appalling...." Read more

"This an abfab history of SCOTUS. It explains its beginnings, its corruptions, and its modern-day influences on our middle-class daily life...." Read more

"This book is really enlightening." Read more

"...There is an abundance of foot notes (147) and references. Reading electronically allows you to jump out and independently research the cases...." Read more

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the clear, well-reasoned arguments and footnotes. The pop-up wiki and language translator are also mentioned as positive aspects of reading on a Kindle.

"...It's also well written and easy to follow. I'm grateful for it." Read more

"This an abfab history of SCOTUS. It explains its beginnings, its corruptions, and its modern-day influences on our middle-class daily life...." Read more

"A great book to read give you more insight on how the supreme Court is making decisions to benefit others especially corporations." Read more

"...It is short, to the point, easy to read and well worth reading, and rereading; especially in these troubled times when our faith in government is..." Read more

3 customers mention "Accuracy"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's accuracy and fairness. They find it interesting and a must-read.

"...cases cited in the author's arguments are appropriate and fairly-assessed..." Read more

"...of the supreme Court as American royalty was very interesting and I'd say accurate...." Read more

"A great must-read, because reality. Well-documented, with a strong human rights perspective...." Read more

3 customers mention "Court rulings"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding the Supreme Court's rulings and history. They say it provides a good overview of constitutional principles and politics.

"...Mostly it ends up being an excellent review of court cases and how the court rulings changed our laws, culture and political system...." Read more

"...So, here's an essential book to both remind us and enlighten us for the future. Buy this book and read it, share it." Read more

"One of the smartest people on politics and constitutional principles..." Read more

3 customers mention "Length"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book concise and a must-read.

"...Hartmann explains how we got to this point and how to fix it. It’s a short, no nonsense, straight to the point type of book...." Read more

"...It is short, to the point, easy to read and well worth reading, and rereading; especially in these troubled times when our faith in government is..." Read more

"This book is short and concise. A must read. It gives good information based on facts not opinions. I kept saying, "Wow, I didn't know that."" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
    I had no idea of this history, which is fascinating and appalling. It doesn't take much to de-rail democracy, and we all need to know how and why and when - and who. It's also well written and easy to follow. I'm grateful for it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
    This an abfab history of SCOTUS. It explains its beginnings, its corruptions, and its modern-day influences on our middle-class daily life. This is no whitewash look at SCOTUS but rather a look under the robes these political appointies wear as they destroy the very unpinnings of our democracy. I now look at these appointies as viscious lap dogs of the Uber wealthy in our nation. This is not dry reading. It is a page turner and will make you keep your highlighter next to you while you read. READ THIS BOOK! PLEASE.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2024
    This book is really enlightening.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
    A good review of the Supreme Court, its history, it‘s rulings and its controversies. Mostly it ends up being an excellent review of court cases and how the court rulings changed our laws, culture and political system. But, it is also how the political parties throughout our history have tried to manipulate the court to meet their own agendas. The author is a Progressive radio host, so there are some rants. For the most part, these are well documented Supreme Court rulings. There is an abundance of foot notes (147) and references. Reading electronically allows you to jump out and independently research the cases. I found no issues with the case information I independently checked with other online resources.

    One theme of the book is that political parties pack the court to support long term agendas. One example. Abraham Lincoln’s vice president was Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat and ex-slave owner. Johnson became President April 15, 1865. To keep Johnson from assigning a New Supreme Court Justice, the Republican controlled Congress passed the Judicial Circuits Act of 1866, reducing the Supreme Court size from 10 to 6. This kept Johnson from replacing a justice if one died or quit. In 1868, Republican Ulyses Grant became president and Congress passed the Judicial Act of 1869, increasing the size to 9. More recently, in 2016, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell nullified President Obama‘s nomination of Merrick Garland to replace sitting Justice Antonin Scalia, who had just died. The Supreme Court is an important political instrument for both parties.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023
    The author does a great job of summarizing the history of the Court and the impact of the decisions made by the Court on present-day judicial and political affairs. It's a book that everyone interested in current affairs must read.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
    A great book to read give you more insight on how the supreme Court is making decisions to benefit others especially corporations.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019
    I'm 72 years old and regret not reading more over the years. Thom Harman's book helps fill in some of the blanks. For example, the Vietnam war kept going longer than needed. Nixon's presidential aspirations required keeping it going, so he struck a deal to cause the war to linger longer. For a Vietnam veteran, that's good to know. I read this before, and now I have it in this handy little book.
    Of course, the courts have center-stage here.
    Mr. Hartman makes clear, we, our grandchildren, face an "existential crisis" in the form of human-caused global warming. The fossil fuel industry has a role in shaping courts of the 21st century, as they have a role in climate deception and 415 ppm CO2 atmospheric density, and climbing rapidly. Brushing up on the history of our courts should serve well, then, to explain climate deception, in part. Like, how did corporations gain personhood, and how did money in politics become a form of free speech?
    Mr. Hartman's writing gets to the critical history many baby boomers ignore.
    So, here's an essential book to both remind us and enlighten us for the future.
    Buy this book and read it, share it.
    64 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
    The book to read about the destruction of our judicial system. Hartmann explains how we got to this point and how to fix it. It’s a short, no nonsense, straight to the point type of book. But at the same time packed with history and information. Also it explains the true nature of the manipulation of the judicial system and to who’s real advantage. The countries heading toward a very dark and evil place. Read this book and understand that the problem is real and needs to be stopped. Buy a few copies for friends and relatives who haven’t been blinded by a con man.
    25 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Betty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livre qui nous éclaire sur un sujet important et pas assez connu
    Reviewed in France on September 12, 2024
    Comme a son habitude, Hartmann ne néglige aucun détail sur son sujet, ce qui aide le lecteur à comprendre comment la Cour Suprême fonctionne de manière si surprenante aujourd'hui.
  • Kindleer
    5.0 out of 5 stars worth it
    Reviewed in Germany on December 6, 2022
    The book was interesting and his writing style also appealed to me. With some points he made, he could have gone a bit more in depth but all in all happy to have read it.
  • Sayo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Governments do not run the world
    Reviewed in Australia on March 24, 2020
    Contains many insights in to how the ultra-wealthy corrupt and undermine the democratic will and interests of the people by using their power of the purse in conjunction with the power of a corrupted and an unelected judiciary. The author did however, miss the most important insight in to this matter, whilst at the same time directly quoting one of the so called Founding Fathers who put his finger right on the button. Quite amazing. Never the less, an easy to read and well constructed story.