Dissent: The Radicalization of the Republican Party and Its Capture of the Court

by Jackie Calmes

Featuring new interviews with his accusers and overlooked evidence of his deceptions, a deeply reported account of the life and confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, set against the conservative movement's capture of the courts.

In DISSENT, award-winning investigative journalist Jackie Calmes brings readers closer to the truth of who Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is, where he came from, and how he and the Republican party at large managed to secure one of the highest seats of power in the land.

Kavanaugh's rise to the justice who solidified conservative control of the supreme court is a story of personal achievement, but also a larger, political tale: of the Republican Party's movement over four decades toward the far right, and its parallel campaign to dominate the government's judicial branch as well as the other two.

And Kavanaugh uniquely personifies this history. Fourteen years before reaching the Supreme Court, during a three-year fight for a seat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin would say to Kavanaugh, "It seems that you are the Zelig or Forrest Gump of Republican politics. You show up at every scene of the crime."

Featuring revelatory new reporting and exclusive interviews, DISSENT is a harrowing look into the highest echelons of political power in the United States, and a captivating survey of the people who will do anything to have it.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Law, History, American History, Biography

496 pages, Hardcover

Published June 15, 2021

Reviews

[Donald Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit long and the prose seems to prolong it further. The facts are important parts of American history and current politics. The Book is a complete rendition of all things Kavanaugh, including a brief discussion of some of his acts on The Court since his installation. This is an important book on important facts. The author's analysis seemed objective and correct in my humble opinion. The fifth star is withheld because the writing made the going a bit slow.

[Anthony Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is there to say about Jackie Calmes' book, "Dissent: The Radicalization of the Republican Party and Its Capture of the Courts"? I think there are a few things of note worth mentioning:

1. Regardless of whether or not you're a politico and a history buff like myself, there's plenty of information here that was previously unknown to me. Within the pages of this book, Calmes deftly tells a harrowing, oftentimes depressing tale of how Republicans have lied, cheated, and relied on both propaganda and fascist methods to hold the American government hostage and hijack both the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court. Calmes also weaves a counter-narrative which is quite disheartening and depressing about Democrats' inability to fight back against this takeover, despite their well-meaning intentions - both because their voters have, historically, never been as invested in the courts, and also because they tend to play by the rules despite being up against cheaters, and don't have the infrastructure in place to nominate pure activists to lifetime positions at a clip that's as quick as the Republicans are when they're in charge.

2. Within the pages of this book, Calmes also tells the story of Brett Kavanagh - from boyhood through his confirmation to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court - in addition to the stories of the women who have accused him of sexual assault, Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez. And while Calmes sticks to the facts and the book clearly comes down on the side of the women who were attacked by Kavanagh, and against the Republicans who forced the sexual predator onto the Supreme Court despite the country's wishes, it speaks to the quality of her writing that she writes the man in such a way that he comes across as three-dimensional and well-rounded, and not just an out-and-out villain.

3. This book should come with a Trigger Warning. As a straight, white man, it was hard enough to live through Kavanagh's contentious, off the rails, and sham confirmation hearings; I can't imagine what it must have felt like for women, people of color, or the LGBTQ+ community. Well, reading this book brought all of those feelings rushing back in waves. At times, I became physically nauseated, angry, and depressed all at once reading through all of this recent history again, and how Republicans forced Kavanagh onto this country against our will like he forced himself onto women throughout the years.

All in all, Jackie Calmes' novel is a well-written, comprehensive, informative, and compelling draft of history which will be studied in school and universities one day by students learning about the hostile takeover of the courts by a truly anti-Democratic political party who don't give two shits about the people that they govern. I highly recommend it, especially if you're curious about how we ended up in such a partisan, divisive place - both in our country overall, but especially when it comes to its courts.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book but retraumatizing for survivors who struggled throughout the Kavanaugh confirmation. I could only handle it now that Trump is out of office but its still depressing l.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was focused more on Judge Kavanaugh than I was expecting, but his confirmation seems to illustrate the overarching premise better than no other's: "In prior eras, it would have been unimaginable that the Senate would confirm a Supreme Court nominee after the partisan intemperance Kavanaugh had shown." I found that the epilogue had more of the historical trends and perspective that I was expecting throughout this book. And, unfortunately, Christine Blasey Ford's important testimony was excerpted or recapped at least 3 times in this book and that had the effect of diminishing its effect.

Regardless, of how tough and miserable (at times) it was to read, I learned a lot (that I kinda wish I could now unlearn).

[John DiConsiglio]

Full disclosure: No stars from me since the author spoke to my book club—which gives me more ethical credibility than Mitch McConnell. Ms. Calmes couldn’t have been more engaging. Her thorough book won’t change any minds. But if this is your wheelhouse—it’s mine—you’ll be happy you read it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my TBR for a while, but in light of recent SCOTUS decisions, I decided to read it, despite its intimidating length. I am so glad I did. It reads like a page turner. In one book, the author gives a history of how the current composition of the court came to be, explains why the Republican establishment supported a candidate who is in theory the antithesist of their values, and convincingly makes the case that Kavanaugh committed perjury.

[John Spiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5 stars. Although the ostensible purpose of this book is to explore how the far-right wing of the Republican Party has exerted increasing control over the judicial branch, Calmes spends an inordinate amount of time on Brett Kavanaugh, and in particular, the machinations behind his confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. Had Calmes focused on Kavanaugh alone, we would have been a worthy companion to "Strange Justice" by Jane Mayer, the exploration of the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. I understand Calmes' conceit that Kavanaugh represents the right-ward and politicized shift in the Republican judiciary, but that still does not explain her outsized focus on the minutiae of the Kavanaugh confirmation. Maybe she had so much good material that it seemed a shame to waste it. It was apparent that Calmes had better access to the source material from those aligned with Kavanaugh's accusers, which also tended to color her narrative. Calmes does makes a fairly compelling case that Kavanaugh lied repeatedly not only during his confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court, but also during earlier confirmation hearings when he was appointed to a district court bench.

[Susan Tunis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first book that I've read about the current Supreme Court, or about the Kavanaugh confirmation. But those earlier books were crash published instabooks. While still looking at very recent history, Dissent has allowed a bit of time to pass and consequently has a more panoramic view of events.

And I'll cut to the chase... I thought this book was fantastic, from start to finish. I paid so much attention to these events while they were happening. I've read multiple books on the subject since then. But still, there were things reported in these pages that I'm hearing for the first time. I'm sure I'm not alone in that, as there was a concerted effort to cover up so much during these hearings. Ms. Calmed does an excellent job of laying it all out. The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh was a travesty. One that was abetted by many people in positions of power. For all the good it does us, I'm glad it's been so thoroughly documented.

Finally, while the Kavanaugh confirmation is the spine of this book, it's looking at the whole Court, many other confirmation battles, our divided politics, and other big picture issues adjacent. Despite extensive reading on this subject, I never felt bored. Nothing felt like a rehash. Highly recommended!

[Rdlindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I actually finished this one a few months ago, but am writing this review a few months late...) An interesting and enjoyable (enjoyable while sometimes infuriating, of course) dive into the whole sad saga of how Brett Kavanagh wound up on the Supreme Court. Calmes writes well, and it was hard to put this one down... Essentially, it's part-bio of Kavanagh, part-day-by-day retelling (with plenty of details you likely didn't know or had since forgotten) of his confirmation hearing, and part-context: an explanation of how, in the context of recent and semi-recent history, we ever got to the point that the Republican Party would pull out all the stops to ensure someone as flawed as Kavanagh would end up on our nation's highest court. I'll recommend this one... To briefly summarize, (1) it's highly readable. (2) Even when it's infuriating reliving the whole sordid saga, you're learning things you didn't know, or had previously forgotten. (3) There's something somehow helpful about putting the whole plunge-off-the-deep-end of the last several years in context, even if, in the context of the Supreme Court, it's looking like things are going to be pretty awful for the foreseeable future.

[Adam Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

At turns engaging and enraging, this is the story of a movement that set out to capture the highest court in the land and would stop at nothing to achieve this power. The Republican Party would break any promise, ruin any life and flout any tradition to get what they have now: a 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court. Jackie Calmes tells the story from the 80s and 90s until the Trump administration and traces the rise of a shadow party known as The Federalist Society which had one goal: to fill the courts of the land with its alumni preaching its doctrine. For the true story behind the race to confirm Brett Kavanaugh you can't go wrong with this book. Should be read by any American who cares what happens to their country.

[Josef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed about the first half of the book to the fullest as it was full of interesting details about Kavanaugh and his life prior to being a justice for the SCOTUS. I think the author kind of lost herself when it comes to the Ford hearing as a lot of the details were mentioned in the book previously and parts of the book became very repetitive. I'm probably wrong criticizing the author as it should have been the editor doing a better job I suppose. Still and nevertheless this is a good and important read giving a good account as to how the SCOTUS has shifted to the right and Kavanaugh's role in particular. Would have easily given 4 out of 5 if not for facts mentioned above.

[Scott Arko · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chalk this review up to my own misled expectations - I anticipated a sociological breakdown of what brought us to this point in American political history, and what I got was a biography of Brett kavanaugh, more or less.

As someone on the left, even I found the writing to be crudely biased - I don't think we needed you to tell us that Brett kavanaugh was monstrous and Dr. Ford was gentle every other sentence, Jackie.

[Julie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and sobering history.

Although written from a left perspective, this book is a sobering and well-documented look at the supreme court nomination process as well as one of the most recent nominees, Brett Kavanaugh. When one ignores character, integrity and experience for senior public officials, especially lifetime appointments. We are on a sad path.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written overall, and the case is clear that Democrats need to do more to save our democracy and to allow our courts to represent the majority of Americans. The book could have been shortened at least 100 pages, as it got bogged down in details of the actual confirmation, and there were repetitive moments between chapters. Needs more editing. A worthy read, albeit painful to relive.

[Athena Soleim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent well written book.

[Tyler Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the machine conservatives have created to take control of the federal judiciary, mostly experienced through the story of Justice Kavanaugh’s rise to the Supreme Court.

It is depressing to see how partisan the process to appoint justices is… and it’s just as depressing to see how many republicans were willing to overlook the many character flaws of and serious accusations levied against Justice Kavanaugh.

The sections detailing Dr. Ford’s testimony and experience are impressively thorough and poignant.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was tempted to give this one star simply because of the truly nauseating facts within the book, however Calmes does an excellent job showing how we as Americans went from a somewhat impartial (if there is such a thing) Supreme Court to… whatever the hell Kavanaugh is. It was unsurprising but still upsetting to listen to how poorly the Senate treated Ford and Ramirez (the two much more credible of the three accusers), as if this was still 1991 and the Thomas-Hill debacle all over again.

Book topics added to my tbr: Anita Hill, Monica Lewinsky

[Len Boselovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already being treated for hypertension before cracking open this harrowing (albeit all too familiar) tale of Republican/Trumpian perfidy, hypocrisy, misogyny et al. Now my primary care provider has upped my dosage. Calmes touches all the bases and dispassionately lays out all the facts. If only the facts mattered. As naive, play-by-the rules Senate Democrats discovered too late, the facts matter even less than the rules. As this point, the author's epilogue is more of a prologue and the facts matter even less given the escalating partisanship/corruption of Thomas, Gorsuch and Alito.

[Rudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reporting of the nomination and confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. Also takes a look at the republican’s long game of packing the courts. Well researched, well written and almost terrifying for moderates and progressives. I only wish more people would read this book and see how our three branches of government are under attack by conservatives and the religious right. Our democracy is in peril.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well researched and told in an engaging way. The author shows that the present conservative Supreme Court has been 40 years in the making. The focus on Brett Kavanaugh is chilling and damning. Her final words on Mitch McConnell, Trump and the Republican party with their threat on democracy are frightening but insightful.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good, but it should be noted that the book focuses almost entirely on Brett Kavanaugh, and not nearly so much on the conservative takeover of the Court, as the title and subtitle of the book had incorrectly implied.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent retelling of the Republican party’s radicalization and takeover of the Supreme Court through the lens of Brett Kavanuagh’s nomination. I would highly recommend for anyone seeking to understand how The Supreme Court became so deeply radical over the course of the last 40 years.

[Leocadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed, deeply reported book that tells the story of the conservative movement's focus on the courts through an examination of Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing. Recommend to anyone interested in the current political reality in the United States.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75) This was more of a Kavanaugh biography than I was expecting, and also contained more roasts of Ted Cruz than I was expecting?

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and detailed book. Great work by Jackie Calmes

[Jesse Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too focused on one Justice.

[John Schachter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to confess that the author is an old friend of mine so I was predisposed to like this book. But it is a terrific and detailed accounting of Brett Kavanaugh’s career and the Republicans’ long quest to take over the courts. Anyone reading this book will come away knowing that Kavanaugh is a serial liar not worthy of a seat on the High Court. Too bad not enough Republican members of Congress will read this book.

[Andrew Dittmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, fitting in nicely with Ruth Marcus' 2019 Supreme Ambition: Brett Kavanaugh and the Conservative Takeover , a previous book about the Kavanaugh nomination, and Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson's 1994 book Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas . This is a feels much like a sister work, one that retreads some material in those previous books, but takes a longer view, with different nuances. This includes a serious discussion of the allegations of Deborah Ramirez, and, to a lesser extent, Julie Swetnick, which were covered less in-depth in prior looks at the confirmation fight.

The most valuable contribution this book offers, in my opinion, is Calmes' long view in the radicalization of the Republican Party. As she discusses, her career began in 1978 and has included stints at the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and is now at the Los Angeles Times. Her insights and her in-depth reporting shed new light in a book that could easily feel like a retread, but does not. I've read reviews on here that suggest that she spends too much time focusing exclusively on the Kavanaugh hearing, which is an argument with merit, but I don't think that hurts the book, nor does it diminish her overarching thesis.

A warning to any potential readers, though: you will get mad. Real, real mad.

Unlike Marcus, Mayer, and Abramson, I was completely unfamiliar with Calmes' reporting before this book. Clearly that is an oversight on my part. I look forward to reading her work going forward.