Book Review: Hugo L. Black: A Study in the Judicial Process

Abstract

This is no great shakes of a book by any accepted library or scholarly standards. And yet, in the light of its obvious purpose,it is an entirely creditable piece of work. The biographical part leaves almost everything to be desired. To be sure, the subtitle of the book indicates that it is "a study in the judicial process."Nevertheless, the author realizes that judges make the law and she must know that judges are made by a combination of factors,including their environment, training, experiences, and background,most of which, in the case of Mr. Justice Black, is ignored in this book. It is no more possible to write a "study of the judicial process" by considering the work of a single justice except against the background of the man, than to write a biography of the man without considering his behavior as a justice. The influences,experiences and other factors which have made JusticeBlack what he is are given scant attention in this book.