The Republic according to John Marshall Harlan

The biography explores the complex legacy of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, highlighting his pivotal dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson, where he famously asserted the Constitution's color-blindness. However, it delves deeper into his contradictory actions, revealing how his judicial decisions sometimes undermined his own principles. Known as the people's judge for supporting income tax and antitrust laws, Harlan also upheld rulings favoring large corporations, showcasing the tensions between his ideals and the realities of his judicial career.