I don't think someone from my generation would have the imagination to design a book this way, or to include a photo feature about a Supreme Court Justice's "swag." But fundamentally this is a wonderful book about the difference an individual can make. The book's breezy style has a deeper and more serious significance, as well.Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg never asked for fame—she has only tried to make the world a little better and a little freer.
But nearly a half-century into her career, something funny happened to the octogenarian: she won the internet. Across America, people who weren’t even born when Ginsburg first made her name as a feminist pioneer are tattooing themselves with her face, setting her famously searing dissents to music, and making viral videos in tribute.
Notorious RBG, inspired by the Tumblr that amused the Justice herself and brought to you by its founder and an award-winning feminist journalist, is more than just a love letter. It draws on intimate access to Ginsburg's family members, close friends, colleagues, and clerks, as well an interview with the Justice herself. An original hybrid of reported narrative, annotated dissents, rare archival photos and documents, and illustrations, the book tells a never-before-told story of an unusual and transformative woman who transcends generational divides. As the country struggles with the unfinished business of gender equality and civil rights, Ginsburg stands as a testament to how far we can come with a little chutzpah.
I was touched by many things in this book, not only the courage of Justice Ginsburg's opinions, or the loving handwritten note from her dying husband, but even by the photos illustrating her close friendship with Justice Scalia, one of her ideological opposites - it's rare to see such a mensh in these times. The format is terrifically creative for this sort of subject: the NY Times reviewer aptly described it as being "as if a scrapbook and the Talmud decided to have a baby." The latter comes in especially for the way the book's margins are used for commenting on everything -- not just for the obvious connections to a Justice who is Jewish. (Apropos of that, though, one thing did puzzle me: the recipe for pork in milk at the back. Breaking two of the Jewish religion's food taboos at once -- isn't that a little gangsta? Was that the idea, or is the whole thing a joke? And actually, one other thing: the publisher's subject classification on the back cover is "Fiction." Aside from the recipe, I hope not.)
Heroes don't have to have huge biceps and wear a flowing, red cape. Some heroes, like the best presents, come in small packages. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is just such a hero to all Americans, especially women, gays and blacks. At barely 5-feet tall, this diminutive woman has made a huge impact on our country's laws, doing all she can to ensure that all people are duly protected by the edicts of the U.S. Constitution.
This inspirational and highly-readable book by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, capitalizes on RBG's popularity by promoting her fascinating story.
• Find out the somewhat humorous story of why she studied the law in the first place.
• Find out how she managed in the 1950s to go to law school while she had a toddler in tow, something that is difficult even now but totally unheard of then without a societal infrastructure (read: daycare) to help.
• Find out details about her incredible, loving marriage to Marty Ginsburg that will make every woman just sigh with pleasure. (Men, read this and take notes.)
• Find out what she said to the school's headmaster when she was just fed up with being the parent who was always called when her son misbehaved—and what happened after that.
• Find out her bizarre work hours and how little she sleeps.
• Find out her even more bizarre gym workout and how it may be too challenging for you to do.
This is a book that is so fascinating, fun and intriguing that it will likely inspire, rouse and stir its readers to be more like RBG. What a treasure she is for our country!
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