March 1, 2025
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Jackson's debut memoir traces her family's rise from the era of segregation to her appointment to the court. She writes about how the women in her life influenced her--her grandmother, grounded by her spiritual and religious center, and her mother, who encouraged her to aim high. Jackson's intellectual gifts and connections to social and political movers and shakers from Boston to Washington, DC, gave her priceless opportunities. Even so, Jackson's life has not been easy, as she's encountered gender and racial prejudice and has had to balance marriage and family with the considerable demands of her work. While working throughout her pregnancy, taking only a brief maternity leave, raising two daughters, and paying for childcare, she's achieved remarkable personal and professional success, and she's done it with grace and good humor. Jackson reads her memoir clearly and with feeling; her training in public speaking serves her well and makes for an engaging listen. The book includes wonderful audio excerpts from her own speeches and clips from both daughters. VERDICT Listeners will be charmed and uplifted by this deeply personable and warmhearted account.--Joanna M. Burkhardt
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