My Own Words

My Own Words presents a collection of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's writings and speeches spanning over six decades of her life, from her early school days through her tenure as Supreme Court Justice. The book combines her original works with biographical context provided by co-authors Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams. The collection covers Ginsburg's perspectives on fundamental aspects of American law and society, including gender equality, constitutional interpretation, and the workings of the Supreme Court. Her writings reveal her relationships with fellow justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Antonin Scalia, while also documenting key moments such as her Supreme Court acceptance speech and her advocacy for the Equal Rights Amendment. Through these primary source materials, Ginsburg's voice emerges as both a legal scholar and a woman navigating the highest levels of the American judicial system. The book stands as a testament to the evolution of American jurisprudence and the ongoing pursuit of equality under the law.

Readers consistently note this book provides insight into RBG's personal life and legal career through her own writings and speeches. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex legal concepts - Mix of personal stories and professional analysis - Historical context around gender equality cases - Her writing style and sense of humor Common criticisms: - Too much focus on technical legal details - Repetitive content between chapters - Less personal reflection than expected - Some speeches included in full without editing Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Expected more memoir, got mostly legal briefs and speeches. Well-written but dry at times." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "The behind-the-scenes look at Supreme Court dynamics made this worthwhile, even if parts felt academic rather than personal." - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 RBG was the first Supreme Court Justice to publish a book while actively serving on the Court, breaking with longstanding tradition of waiting until retirement. 🔹 The book's publication in 2016 coincided with Ginsburg's rise as a pop culture icon, complete with her nickname "Notorious RBG" - a play on rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s name. 🔹 Co-authors Hartnett and Williams spent over 15 years interviewing Ginsburg and collecting materials for this book, which was authorized as her official biography. 🔹 Despite their fierce ideological differences, Ginsburg and Justice Scalia shared a deep friendship and mutual love of opera, which is chronicled in several chapters. 🔹 The book includes Ginsburg's now-famous dissenting collar fashion statements - she wore specific collars to signal whether she agreed or disagreed with the Court's decisions.