The Courage of Their Convictions: Sixteen Americans Who Fought Their Way to the Supreme Court

Peter Irons is professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of five previous award-winning books. The most recent, A People's History of the Supreme Court, was awarded the Silver Gavel Certificate of Merit by the American Bar Association.

Prologue

"Emotions Bubble and Tempers Flare"

1. Lillian Gobitis v. Minersville School District

I. "We Live by Symbols"

II. "Here Comes Jehovah!"

2. Gordon Hirabayashi v. United States

I. "A Jap 's a Jap"

II. "Am I an American?"

3. J.D. Shelley v. Louis Kraemer

I. "This Contract of Restrictions"

II. "I Ain't Moving Nowhere!"

4. Lloyd Barenblatt v. United States

I. "This Is Not a Court"

II. "All They Wanted Were Names!"

5. Daisy Bates v. Little Rock

I. "Let's Pop 'Em!"

II. "Stone This Time, Dynamite Next!"

6. Robert Mack Bell v. Maryland

I. "I'm at the Mercy of My Customers"

II. "Baptism by Fire"

7. Daniel Seeger v. United States

I. "A Truthful, Decent Young Citizen"

II. "Check Box Yes, Check Box No"

8. Barbara Elfbrandt v. Imogene Russell

I. "Those Whose Scruples Are the Most Sensitive"

II. "What We Were All About"

9. Susan Epperson v. Arkansas

I. "Somewhere in Heaven, John Scopes Is Smiling"

II. "Teaching in the Bible Belt"

10. Mary Beth Tinker v. Des Moines

I. "Take a Stand! That's What You're Here For!"

II. "I'm Going to Kill You!"

11. Dr. Jane Hodgson v. Minnesota

I. "I Couldn't Make a Child Suffer"

II. "This Was Lousy Medicine"

12. Demetrio Rodriguez v. San Antonio

I. "The Poor People Have Lost Again"

II. "Education Is the Best Thing"

13. Jo Carol LaFleur v. Cleveland Board of Education

I. "There Is No Harm in Climbing Stairs"

II. "Go Home and Have Your Baby"

14. Elmer Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc.

I. "A Good Reputation as a Lawyer"

II. "I'm a Legal Landmark"

15. Ishmael Jaffree v. George Wallace

I. "My God, What's Wrong with That Man?"

II. "Tell Them About My Children"

16. Michael Hardwick v. Michael Bowers

I. "I Saw a Bedroom Door Partially Open"

II. "What Are You Doing in My Bedroom?"

Epilogue

"Doesn't Anybody Remember the Spanish Inquisition?"

Postscript

Sources and Further Readings