The Rehnquist Court, which lasted almost twenty years, was molded in his image. In thirty-three years on the Supreme Court, from 1972 until his death in 2005 at age 80, Rehnquist was at the center of the Court's dramatic political transformation. He was a partisan, waging a quiet, constant battle to imbue the Court with a deep conservatism favoring government power over individual rights. He left behind no memoir and during his lifetime he made an effort to ensure that journalists would have scant material to work with. Jenkins explores the roots of his political and judicial convictions and showing how a brilliantly instinctive jurist created the ethos of the modern Supreme Court.

Shorewood --A change of name and place -- "Hate Black" -- Basic moral rights -- On to Washington -- An "Unhumanitarian Position," and other memos -- "Like a Bunch of Old Women" -- Hanging judge -- Rugged Libertarianism -- "What the Court Really Needs is a Chief Justice" -- Cowboys in Washington -- Changes on the court -- Southern strategy -- Two more vacancies -- "You Might Consider Bill Rehnquist" -- "What Now, Hon. W.H. Rehnquist" -- Roe v. Wade -- "The Better Point of View" -- Lone dissenter -- Bored at the court -- An aspiring novelist -- Code pink -- A betting man -- "Bizzarre Ideas and Outrageous Thoughts" -- Bicentennial bombshell -- A score to settle -- High expectations -- The Brennan court -- Federalism, occasionally -- A fragile majority -- Splendor of stripes -- Clinton's trial -- "Never Let the War End Until You've Won It".