Peter H. Irons – författare

From the perspective of young lawyers in three key New Deal agencies, this book traces the path of crucial constitutional test cases during the years from 1933 to 1937.

The Courage of their Convictions cites sixteen landmark civil liberties cases and the individuals who challenged laws that they felt impinged upon their personal freedom and who took their battles to the nation’s highest court of law. “Thank goodness for the sixteen brave men and women who fought official intolerance all the way to the US Supreme Court. And thanks to the Peter Irons for presenting their moving personal reasons, in their own words, for questioning authority. Like Anthony Lewis’s Gideon’s Trumpet, this book presents constitutional law with a human face. It will be a classic.” —Norman Dorsen, President, American Civil Liberties Union New York University Law School “A fascinating account of how complex, multi-faceted conduct by individual citizens is forced into narrow, legal categories for decision by our judicial system.” —Thomas I. Emerson, Yale Law School

This sequel to the bestselling May It Please the Court focuses on key First Amendment cases illustrating the most controversial debates over issues of free speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble, including: Burnes v. Glen Theater (nude dancing), New York Times v. United States (the Pentagon Papers case), Texas v. Johnson (American flag burning), Brandenburg v. Ohio (hate speech by Klansmen), and Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell (“emotional distress” for parody advertisement).The transcripts of actual oral arguments made before the Supreme Court identify the speakers and put the cases in context. They offer an unrivaled view of the Supreme Court in action that will interest anyone wanting firsthand exposure to American law and history.Cases include: Abington School District v. Schempp (school prayer) County of Allegheny v. ACLU (nativity crèche and menorah display) Barnes v. Glen Theater, Inc. (nude dancing) Branzburg v. Hayes (reporters’ sources) Employment Division v. Smith (peyote) New York Times v. Sullivan (libel) New York Times v. United States (Pentagon Papers case) R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul, Minnesota (cross burning) Texas v. Johnson (American flag burning) Tinker v. Des Moines (wearing black armbands in school) United States v. O’Brien (draft card burning)