"In 1801, a genial and brilliant Revolutionary War veteran and politician became the fourth chief justice of the United States. He would hold the post for 34 years (still a record), expounding the Constitution he loved. Before he joined the Supreme Court, it was the weakling of the federal government, lacking in dignity and clout. After he died, it could never be ignored again. Through three decades of dramatic cases involving businessmen, scoundrels, Native Americans, and slaves, Marshall defended the federal government against unruly states, established the Supreme Court's right to rebuke Congress or the president, and unleashed the power of American commerce. For better and for worse, he made the Supreme Court a pillar of American life."--Amazon.com.

Introduction: John Marshall and George Washington -- Section I: Early Life. Soldier -- Lawyer -- Local Politician -- Diplomat, Congressman, Secretary of State -- Section II: Beleaguered Chief Justice. The Case of the Missing Commission -- Impeachment -- Treason -- Corruption and Contracts -- Section III: Magisterial Chief Justice. A Small College -- Bankers and Embezzlers -- Jewish Lottery Runners -- Steamboats and Commerce -- Section IV: Chief Justice, the Waning Years. Slavers -- Bankrupts -- Cherokees -- Missionaries -- Bill of Rights -- Legacy: Marshall, Jefferson, Lincoln -- Bibliography -- Index.