Jeffrey Rosen Discusses His Book About the Supreme Court

On WNYC Radio yesterday, Jeffrey Rosen talked on the Brian Lehrer show about his book, The Supreme Court: The Personalities and Rivalries that Defined America (the companion book to the recently concluded PBS series on the Supreme Court). Not much of the interview directly addresses the Court's abortion decisions, but Rosen's general observations make for some interesting speculation about the Court's upcoming decision on the federal abortion ban.  For example, Rosen predicts that Justice Kennedy -- with his proclivity toward sweeping pronouncements, and relishing his new power as the Court's swing vote -- will pose the biggest challenge on the Court for Chief Justice Roberts, who aims for consensus based on narrow rulings.

Listen to Lehrer's interview.  Read Roberts' Rules, Rosen's account of his interview of the Chief Justice, in the Atlantic Monthly.

The PBS Series will run again soon in some locations.