Irin Carmon

Shana Knizhnik

You can't spell truth without Ruth. Only Ruth Bader Ginsburg can judge me. The Ruth will set you free. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg never asked for fame—she was just trying to make the world a little better and a little freer. But along the way, the feminist pioneer's searing dissents and steely strength have inspired millions. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, created by the young lawyer who began the Internet sensation and an award-winning journalist, takes you behind the myth for an intimate, irreverent look at the justice's life and work. As America struggles with the unfinished business of gender equality and civil rights, Ginsburg stays fierce. And if you don't know, now you know.

The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Notorious RBG

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Featured in the forthcoming documentary, RBG “The authors make this unassuming, most studious woman come pulsing to life. . . . Notorious RBG may be a playful project, but it asks to be read seriously. . . . That I responded so personally to it is a testimony to [its] storytelling and panache.”— Jennifer Senior, New York Times Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg never asked for fame—she has only tried to make the world a little better and a little freer. But nearly a half-century into her career, something funny happened to the octogenarian: she won the internet. Across America, people who weren’t even born when Ginsburg first made her name as a feminist pioneer are tattooing themselves with her face, setting her famously searing dissents to music, and making viral videos in tribute. Notorious RBG, inspired by the Tumblr that amused the Justice herself and brought to you by its founder and an award-winning feminist journalist, is more than just a love letter. It draws on intimate access to Ginsburg's family members, close friends, colleagues, and clerks, as well an interview with the Justice herself. An original hybrid of reported narrative, annotated dissents, rare archival photos and documents, and illustrations, the book tells a never-before-told story of an unusual and transformative woman who transcends generational divides. As the country struggles with the unfinished business of gender equality and civil rights, Ginsburg stands as a testament to how far we can come with a little chutzpah.

Lamia Hajani

5 stars

I'm definitely partial to historical books about the law. I love the law! I love the Supreme Court! So reading about RBG is a pretty easy way for me to give you 5 stars. But this book is short and sweet and to the point, which I thoroughly enjoy about it since that's no easy feat when it comes to US law. It's a great dive into RBG's life and her record as a lawyer and judge. The information is digestible, so I would recommend to just about anyone who wants an easy read about our favorite Supreme Court justice - Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Colleen

3.5 Stars
 
*An informative but biased look at a fascinating woman*
 
My mother recommended Notorious RBG to me. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a name I’ve heard all my life, but I admit I knew very little about her journey to becoming a Supreme Court judge. I was excited to learn about her backstory.

My favorite part was learning about Ruth and her husband Marty. By all accounts, they were an amazing couple who truly embodied what it means to have a mutually supportive relationship. As inspiring as Ginsburg’s achievements as a woman and a judge are, I found her personal life to be even more inspiring. If more people in the world tried to be like Ruth and Marty, the world would undoubtedly be a better place.

The book uses a combination of anecdotes, new clippings, timelines, trial transcripts, and other sources. While it does make thorough use of this variety of material, the different pieces of the book did not fit together cohesively. Some parts were engaging and emotional; other parts were bone-dry and rambling. It gave the overall book a choppy feel.

But what I liked least about this book was the clear bias of the authors. Clearly they set out to write a book about RBG being awesome, and I get that (even though it less than desirable in a biography). But the authors pick and choose cases and information to vehemently support their own political views. Even when I agree with a point, I dislike that tactic. It shows the authors’ bias, inexperience, and lack of maturity. And sorry to sound like a crotchety old person, but what do expect from something that started as a meme?

So if you want a detailed, authoritative biography, look elsewhere. But if you just want a quick look at the life of an inspiring and redoubtable woman, then Notorious RBG is worth the read.
 

RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Attention to Details: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Objectivity: 1 Star

Alexandra Sklar

Great overview: the personal history of an incredible and groundbreaking woman. Glad I read this.

Carol Bailey

This was well worth the read. I've read another biography about RBG that contained some of the same information. However, this one was engaging and even though they cite actual cases throughout, it's done in a manner that fits into the context and doesn't become overbearing. The reader gets a good sense of what is important to RBG throughout her life and what she stands for.

Skye

RBG's story is amazing but this book was written poorly.

Robin M Cabana

This book is a really fun way to get to know the phenomenon that is RBG! I was a history major, and this might be the first book I've read that explores our modern meme culture, written with chapter titles inspired by Notorious BIG lyrics and features lots of images and graphics. RGB deserves to be celebrated for all she's accomplished and her approach to life.

Caroline Lewicki

A really wonderful look at the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a true role model for all people, especially women. I recommend reading the actual book rather than listening to the audiobook as there are a lot of court cases covered in the book and the audio tends to advise listeners to refer to the enhanced audio for details.

Athena Eloy

Read this on audio—a great profile of a complicated and astoundingly brilliant Supreme Court Justice. As one of the last judges on the court who is fighting the fight, this book details Ginsburg’s own battles to get where she is now.

Notorious RBG The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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