and"I called this book Out of Order because it reflects my goal, which is to share a different side of the Supreme Court. Most people know the Court only as it exists between bangs of the gavel, when the Court comes to order to hear arguments or give opinions. But the stories of the Court and the Justices that come from other and'out of orderand' moments add to the richness of the Court as both a branch of our government and a human institution.and"and-Justice Sandra Day Oand'Connor and From Justice Sandra Day Oand'Connor, the first woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court, comes this fascinating book about the history and evolution of the highest court in the land. Justice Oand'Connor writes here about some of the landmark changes, unique customs, and remarkable people who served on the Court and helped to shape the history of the institution, and of America as a whole. and Out of Order sheds light on the centuries of change and upheaval that transformed the Supreme Court from its uncertain beginnings into the remarkable institution that thrives and endures today. From the early days of circuit-riding, when justices who also served as trial judges traveled thousands of miles per year on horseback to hear cases, to the changes in civil rights ushered in by Earl Warren and Thurgood Marshall; from foundational decisions such as Marbury vs. Madison to modern-day cases such as Hamdi vs. Rumsfeld, Justice Oand'Connor weaves together stories and lessons from the history of the Court, charting turning points and pivotal moments that would help define our nationand's progress. and With an insiderand's unparalleled insight, and her unique perspective as a history-making figure, Justice Oand'Connor takes us on a personal exploration, painting vivid pictures of justices in history, including Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., one of the greatest jurists of all time; Thurgood Marshall, whose understated and succinct style would come to transform oral argument in the Supreme Court; William O. Douglas, who earned the nickname and"The Lone Rangerand" thanks to his impassioned and frequent dissents; John Roberts, the current Chief Justice, whom Justice Oand'Connor considers to be the finest practitioner of oral argument she has ever witnessed in Court; and others. Justice Oand'Connor provides a rare glimpse into the Supreme Courtand's inner workings, showing how cases are chosen for heÅ the friendships and relationships that exist among the Justices; and the customs and traditions, both public and private, that bind one generation of jurists to the nextand-from the seating arrangements at lunch to the fiercely competitive basketball games played in the Court Buildingand's top-floor gymnasium, the so-called and"highest court in the land.and" and Written in a wise, candid, and assured voice, Out of Order is a rich offering of inspiring and engaging stories of one of our countryand's most important institutions, from one of our countryand's most respected pioneers. and and"In this delightful collection of tales, Sandra Day Oand'Connor shows us the personal side of the Supreme Court while reminding us of the critical role the Court plays. Itand's a lovely bookand-and a valuable treasure for all Americans.and"and-Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs