📖 Overview
Adam Cohen is an American author, journalist, and lawyer known for his writings on legal affairs, civil rights, and social justice issues. He served on the editorial board of The New York Times from 2002-2010 and has held senior editorial positions at Time magazine.
His notable works include "Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court's Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America" (2020) and "Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck" (2016). These books examine landmark Supreme Court decisions and their impact on American society, with particular focus on economic inequality and civil rights.
Cohen's work as a legal analyst and commentator has appeared in major publications including The Nation, The American Prospect, and The New York Times Book Review. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and has taught at Yale Law School as an adjunct professor.
His research and writing frequently addresses how judicial decisions have shaped modern American society, particularly regarding economic rights, racial equality, and social justice. Cohen's books have received recognition from legal scholars and historians for their examination of pivotal Supreme Court cases and their broader societal implications.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Cohen's ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear narratives. His book "Imbeciles" draws praise for detailed research and compelling storytelling about the eugenics movement, with one Amazon reviewer noting it "reads like a tragic novel while being meticulously documented."
What readers liked:
- Clear explanation of complex Supreme Court cases
- In-depth historical research
- Connection of past legal decisions to current issues
- Accessible writing style for non-lawyers
What readers disliked:
- Some find his political perspective too pronounced
- Occasional repetition of key points
- "Supreme Inequality" readers mention wanting more proposed solutions
- Some sections move slowly due to legal detail
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
"Imbeciles" - 4.0/5 (3,800+ ratings)
"Supreme Inequality" - 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon:
"Imbeciles" - 4.5/5
"Supreme Inequality" - 4.4/5
📚 Books by Adam Cohen
Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck (2016)
Examines the 1927 Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell, which allowed for the forced sterilization of those deemed "unfit," and explores the American eugenics movement of the early 20th century.
Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court's Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America (2020) Chronicles how the Supreme Court's decisions since the Nixon era have widened economic disparities and reduced protections for workers, voters, and minorities.
Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America (2009) Details the first hundred days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and the key advisers who helped shape the New Deal programs.
The Perfect Store: Inside eBay (2002) Documents the founding and early history of eBay, including interviews with employees, executives, and the company's founder Pierre Omidyar.
Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court's Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America (2020) Chronicles how the Supreme Court's decisions since the Nixon era have widened economic disparities and reduced protections for workers, voters, and minorities.
Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America (2009) Details the first hundred days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and the key advisers who helped shape the New Deal programs.
The Perfect Store: Inside eBay (2002) Documents the founding and early history of eBay, including interviews with employees, executives, and the company's founder Pierre Omidyar.
👥 Similar authors
Michelle Alexander examines racial inequality and mass incarceration in the American justice system. Her work, like Cohen's, focuses on civil rights issues and systemic discrimination through detailed legal and historical analysis.
David Cole writes about constitutional law and civil liberties with emphasis on Supreme Court decisions and their societal impact. His research parallels Cohen's interest in how legal institutions shape American democracy.
Michael J. Klarman explores the history of civil rights and constitutional law in America through detailed archival research. His work, like Cohen's, demonstrates how judicial decisions reflect and influence social movements.
Linda Greenhouse covers Supreme Court history and constitutional developments through both contemporary and historical perspectives. Her analysis of the Court's evolution and key decisions aligns with Cohen's focus on judicial power.
Richard Kluger investigates landmark legal cases and their effects on American society through narrative-driven historical accounts. His method of combining legal scholarship with accessible storytelling mirrors Cohen's approach to writing about law and justice.
David Cole writes about constitutional law and civil liberties with emphasis on Supreme Court decisions and their societal impact. His research parallels Cohen's interest in how legal institutions shape American democracy.
Michael J. Klarman explores the history of civil rights and constitutional law in America through detailed archival research. His work, like Cohen's, demonstrates how judicial decisions reflect and influence social movements.
Linda Greenhouse covers Supreme Court history and constitutional developments through both contemporary and historical perspectives. Her analysis of the Court's evolution and key decisions aligns with Cohen's focus on judicial power.
Richard Kluger investigates landmark legal cases and their effects on American society through narrative-driven historical accounts. His method of combining legal scholarship with accessible storytelling mirrors Cohen's approach to writing about law and justice.