Laura Kalman Boeken

The book delves into the Legal Realism Movement, exploring its historical context and key figures who shaped its development. It examines the movement's critique of traditional legal theories and its emphasis on the practical application of law in real-world scenarios. Through detailed analysis, the author highlights the impact of Legal Realism on contemporary legal thought and practice, making it a crucial resource for understanding the evolution of legal philosophy.

When Franklin Roosevelt proposed adding up to six new justices to the Supreme Court in 1937, a firestorm exploded. FDR was accused of "Court packing," dictatorial ambitions, political trickery, undermining the rule of law, and undercutting judicial independence. Drawing upon extensive archival research, Laura Kalman revises the conventional wisdom by telling the story as it unfolded in FDR's Gambit. She argues that acumen, not arrogance, accounted for Roosevelt's actions. Far from erring tragically, he came very close to getting additional justices, and the Court itself changed course.