lawren83's review against another edition
5.0
Not only does this cover the legal case, but it tells the story of how everyone got to this point in their lives. It is so much deeper than just a legal case. It is a love story of everyone who worked on this case.
muhly22's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as part of Goodreads' First Reads program.
I tend to relatively apathetic on so-called "moral issues." I'm more conservative and religious, but I also dislike government regulation of morals. Well, unless we're criminalizing something. Criminalization is a moral judgment, but a moral judgment that civil society has to make. The criminal code is a minimal moral code, a code that society has decided to say, "If you go past this line, you will be punished." Whether to allow gay marriage or not is not something our government needs to concern itself with.
Robbie Kaplan wouldn't disagree with me. But that's not the focus of her book. She instead focuses on the concepts of dignity and respect that inform the equal protection argument, and understandably so. It's a powerful argument, and one that is legally correct (and yes, I would have said that before the Supreme Court agreed with me)...it's just not the argument that persuades me.
This is a fascinating look inside the team that took DOMA to court and won. We don't often get to see inside these kinds of cases, because of concerns such as attorney-client privilege and the busy schedules of the lawyers who would generally write these kinds of books, not to mention that most lawyers lack the ability to write in a clear, engaging manner (seriously...I've read quite a bit of drivel from the pens of lawyers).
I give Kaplan all kinds of credit for her writing style. She's engaging, funny (although there are a few inside jokes that aren't nearly as funny to people not on the Windsor team), and writes, well...not like a lawyer.
My one criticism: Kaplan frequently (seriously...like every other page) says she was humbled or inspired by all sorts of things. That's a pet peeve of mine; athletes or celebrities who are "humbled" by receiving some sort of award, etc. I'm not going to call her a liar, but it felt disingenuous and excessive.
I tend to relatively apathetic on so-called "moral issues." I'm more conservative and religious, but I also dislike government regulation of morals. Well, unless we're criminalizing something. Criminalization is a moral judgment, but a moral judgment that civil society has to make. The criminal code is a minimal moral code, a code that society has decided to say, "If you go past this line, you will be punished." Whether to allow gay marriage or not is not something our government needs to concern itself with.
Robbie Kaplan wouldn't disagree with me. But that's not the focus of her book. She instead focuses on the concepts of dignity and respect that inform the equal protection argument, and understandably so. It's a powerful argument, and one that is legally correct (and yes, I would have said that before the Supreme Court agreed with me)...it's just not the argument that persuades me.
This is a fascinating look inside the team that took DOMA to court and won. We don't often get to see inside these kinds of cases, because of concerns such as attorney-client privilege and the busy schedules of the lawyers who would generally write these kinds of books, not to mention that most lawyers lack the ability to write in a clear, engaging manner (seriously...I've read quite a bit of drivel from the pens of lawyers).
I give Kaplan all kinds of credit for her writing style. She's engaging, funny (although there are a few inside jokes that aren't nearly as funny to people not on the Windsor team), and writes, well...not like a lawyer.
My one criticism: Kaplan frequently (seriously...like every other page) says she was humbled or inspired by all sorts of things. That's a pet peeve of mine; athletes or celebrities who are "humbled" by receiving some sort of award, etc. I'm not going to call her a liar, but it felt disingenuous and excessive.
secondskratch's review against another edition
5.0
Part memoir, part history, part lesson on the workings of Constitutional law and the appellate court system, superbly written. I listened to the audiobook read by Andrea Gallo, who told the already engaging story brilliantly. Reading this is crucial to understanding what Kaplan calls the "sea change" that occurred between 1996 and 2013 in regards to the American understanding of homosexuality and marriage equality.
detailsandtales's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book for research for a novel I'm writing. I wanted to know what it was like to be the plaintiff in a civil rights case that made it to the Supreme Court. What I did not expect was just how much I would connect to the story. Both Edie Windsor and her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan (also the book's author) were Jewish. As a Queer Jewish woman, I connected to these women's stories on a personal level. This book is at once about a historic moment and current events. United States v. Windsor changed so much for LGBT couples, making it a historic ruling, yet it happened so recently that there are references in the story to iPhones, for example. I read this book to learn; I did not expect it to touch me so personally. I'm glad I picked it up.
shays's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book at ALA Annual 2015.
Kaplan’s account is heartfelt and accessible, even as she describes the legal strategies and backroom arguments that shaped the case, and quotes from court transcripts. read more
Kaplan’s account is heartfelt and accessible, even as she describes the legal strategies and backroom arguments that shaped the case, and quotes from court transcripts. read more
lakeness's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
gbaty's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Well explained, thank goodness, because this could have gotten very confusing.
sariggs's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars for marriage equality, and for Robbie's part in making that happen! Four stars for this book, which was compelling but a little too long for me, considering I know nothing about practicing law.
chelslynro's review against another edition
5.0
I drew out my time reading this because I wanted it to last. Robbie isn't a novelist so it's not the most literary book I've read this year, but the care she puts into her briefs for her clients comes through in this beautiful story. It reads as if she's telling you about the case over wine one evening; she fills you in on the inside jokes and the coincidences, making the legal jargon understandable and more importantly – relatable. What struck me most is how incredible the story is, from the parallels of her life and Edie's to the meditation on Judaism throughout the book. Learn about this chapter of history, cry at these love stories, and celebrate this book about two Jewish lesbians who grew in different times and in our time, made a difference that helped change America.
It was an honor to meet her and personally thank her for the work she has done for LGBT rights.
It was an honor to meet her and personally thank her for the work she has done for LGBT rights.
bibliovore's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating look into the justice system framed against the backdrop of this high-profile marriage equality case. Highly recommended for those interested in civil rights and social justice.