Justice Douglas’ Book

It occurs to me that it is worthwhile to spend more space than is available in a book review to examine the extraordinary book, Points of Rebellion, by William O. Douglas, Justice of the Supreme Court, in the light of the continuing controversy.

Had it not been written by an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, this book would not be reviewed: obviously calculated to pander to prurient political interest, it seems utterly without redeeming social value, although it does not violate current community standards, such as they are. However, the author’s status makes the book news, just as a bishop’s coming out for burlesque would be news: being a bishop is not, nor is favoring burlesque, but being a bishop favoring burlesque is.

EH

About the Author

Ernest van den Haag

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It occurs to me that it is worthwhile to spend more space than is available in a book review to examine the extraordinary book, Points of Rebellion, by William O. Douglas, Justice of the Supreme Court, in the light of the continuing controversy.

Had it not been written by an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, this book would not be reviewed: obviously calculated to pander to prurient political interest, it seems utterly without redeeming social value, although it does not violate current community standards, such as they are. However, the author’s status makes the book news, just as a bishop’s coming out for burlesque would be news: being a bishop is not, nor is favoring burlesque, but being a bishop favoring burlesque is.