A timely, inside look at the U.S. Supreme Court

Closed Chambers

By Edward Lazarus

Penguin, 598 pages, $18.95 paper

Edward Lazarus, who clerked for Justice Harry Blackmun, is one of the few civilians intimately familiar with the inner workings of the U.S. Supreme Court. This riveting book, laced with history, lore and a generous helping of gossip, was originally published in 1998, but updates (including a new chapter) keep this reissue relevant.