Reviews

"An original and authoritative study of the 'steamboat monopoly case' by a master historian that should be required reading for all serious students of American constitutional law."--Charles F. Hobson, author of The Great Chief Justice: John Marshall and the Rule of Law"Johnson brings the case alive. What had been a canonical citation becomes a drama of fascinating characters, changing technology, fortunes to be made, and, most of all, power. A substantial achievement."--Paul Kahn, author of The Reign of Law: Marbury v. Madison and the Construction of America"A masterful account. Learned but accessible, eloquent, and engaging. As Johnson justifiably emphasizes, John Marshall's 'broad and catholic' opinion for the Court in Gibbons laid down principles of law and economic regulation that were both necessary at the time and remain vital today. Johnson displays his customary encyclopedic knowledge of the people, events, and cases that shaped this nation."--Mark R. Killenbeck, author of M'Culloch v. Maryland: Securing a Nation"A masterful analysis, sprinkled with keen original insights. Johnson's treatment of the Court's inner workings and Chief Justice Marshall's changed style of leadership is especially illuminating. There is much here for beginning students and for seasoned scholars as well."--R. Kent Newmyer, author of The Supreme Court under Marshall and Taney and John Marshall and the Heroic Age of the Supreme Court

"In sum, the strength of Johnson's work lies in the depth and breadth of its analysis of the historical context of the Gibbons decision. Any scholar or student of U. S. constitutionalism will find it to be either an enlightening addition to any constitutional law syllabus or, simply an enjoyable read about an important chapter in the nation's constitutional history."--Law and Politics Book Review