First published 1956
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr begins his journey in the classrooms of dame schools and Latin academies before entering Harvard College. The Civil War interrupts his studies as he serves as a soldier on battlefields that test his courage and shape his character. After the war ends, Holmes returns to pursue legal studies and eventually authors The Common Law, establishing his reputation as a legal thinker. He builds his career as both practicing attorney and judge throughout Massachusetts courts. His legal philosophy and judicial decisions catch national attention, leading to his appointment to the United States Supreme Court. Holmes faces the challenge of interpreting constitutional law during a period of rapid social and economic change in America. His decisions reflect the tension between legal precedent and the evolving needs of a modern nation. The story follows his transformation from young student to one of the most influential justices in American legal history.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, legal-thriller, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, transformation
Setting: Harvard College, Massachusetts, United States
Period: 19th Century, 20th Century
192 pages · Hardcover · Follett Publishing Company