The two-volume set is arranged by theme: criminal law; governmental power; economic regulation; race, gender, sexuality and disability; and civil liberties. Each case features an information box providing the case’s vital statistics (date, location, court, principal participants, and significance), a 1,000-5,000 word essay (201 in all) penned by one of 85 scholars (lawyers, legal historians, social scientists, humanities professors, etc.) identified by name and affiliation. Thematic sections are preceded by concise introductions, and the essays 43 new to this edition concentrate on the narrative, dramatic dimension of legal disputes within their larger social and historical contexts.
Some essays have been cut and many revised for this edition. New cases include Bill Clinton’s, and the disability case regarding golfer Casey Martin who, because of a disease affecting his right leg, wanted to use a prohibited golf cart in the PGA Tour. There is a subject and name index, and a case index. The set is suitable for high school and above.