Ruth Bader Ginsburg (I Know This to Be True): On Equality, Determination & Service

I Know This to Be True

by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Geoff Blackwell

The "I Know This to Be True" series is a collection of extraordinary figures from diverse backgrounds answering the same questions, as well as sharing their compelling stories, guiding ideals, and insightful wisdom.

Throughout her legal career—spanning nearly five decades—Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been an unwavering force for progress and a leading voice for equality and justice. With a disarming honesty, Ginsburg discusses everything from gender equality and fitness to literature and the importance of hard work.

• The inimitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an associate justice of the US Supreme Court, embodies the power of persistence and integrity.
• Here, she reflects on her many years of service to the law, as well as her family life and struggle with cancer.
• The landmark book series brims with messages of leadership, courage, compassion, and hope.

Inspired by Nelson Mandela's legacy and created in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, I Know This to Be True is a global series of books created to spark a new generation of leaders. This series offers encouragement and guidance to graduates, future leaders, and anyone hoping to make a positive impact on the world.

• Royalties from sales of the series support the free distribution of material from the series to the world's developing economy countries.
• A highly giftable and lovely hardcover with vivid photographic portraits throughout.
• Great for those who loved Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela, and My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Politics, History, Essays, Womens

Hardcover

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg (LL.B., Columbia University, 1960; B.A., Government, Cornell University, 1954) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton and took the oath of office on August 10, 1993. She was the second female justice (after Sandra Day O'Connor) and served alongside two of the women currently serving on the Supreme Court, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update I was reading RBG's obituary, and one thing amused me, it was funny but it illustrated the way gender inequality is embedded in society:

Her son was a very naughty boy and got in a lot of trouble in grade school. Fed up with the endless phonecalls from the school expecting her to come in and discuss his latest bad behaviour, she said, "This child has two parents. Please alternate calls." And after that the calls were few and far between. The school, it seemed, did not find the behaviour bad enough to disturb a top lawyer to demand he drop whatever he is doing and come to the school for a meeting, or only if that parent is a woman!

I don't know what to write to say how sorry I am she has died, how glad I am she lived and was the greatest activist for women and men for equality of her time. Her rulings, her victories, served as a beacon to women in countries less amenable to change, if she could do it then the fight is worth it, even if victories come slowly. She brought greater happiness to millions of women and men in America. Isn't that a hell of an achievement?
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg moved the world a little bit forward. A lot in the US and as an example for other countries where people were actively fighting for the advancement of women and equality of all people. And for those countries and religions that oppose any civil rights for women, then at least a beacon of light for them to focus on. Like a distant light on the shore when you have been at sea for 21 days with nothing but sea and sky, something to aim for, no matter how far away it might seem, you know that if others got there, you will too, one day.

Ruth's great fortune in life was in having a partner who was in it together with her fighting for the rights of women. He didn't do it for her, he did it because he had always believed in it. That made all the difference. Also that he did all the cooking and was happy to look after their children, as she said,
"Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation."

This is a very short book in the form of questions, a conversation with the author. But it gives you the full flavour of Notorious RBG (has a nickname ever suited a serious political figure quite so much as this one?), her upbringing, her philosophy and her an overview of her life.

If I ever get a tattoo, it will be RBG just above my wrist, so everytime I see it I will be reminded that strength of mind and a willingness to speak out are what's important. RBG is my heroine!
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Watch the documentary (Thanks Cecily) - she's such a nice lady and interesting person, and thoroughly deserves her Notorious RBG nickname.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little 80 page book is a gem of hope, inspiration and wisdom from a woman who knew what she was talking about.
Just because you can finish this book in under an hour does not diminish in any way its message.
Highly recommend for all ages.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Know This to Be True: Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of a series of books published in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela foundation. The series consisted of 12 interviews a year (6 women and 6 men) over a period of five years; leaders who believed in and fought for social justice. I have ordered the book featuring NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as well.

This is a small quick book which discusses Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life in brief, her beliefs, her activities and also has an interview with Geoff Blackwell. I have another book about RBG's life and this one provided a nice teaser that will hopefully get me into that one soon. This book focuses on RBG's activism, started at an early age. She was one of nine women in a class of 500 at Harvard Law School, this being 14 months after the birth of her daughter, Jane.

Throughout her life, she focused on women's issues. She co-founded the 1st US law journal that dealt with women's legal issues. She co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU and became a lead council there. She was a fascinating woman. She talks about a case she took, let's see. When a husband dies, the wife is entitled to benefits to help her support herself and children. But as she said, this was not the case when the wife / mother died as the husband was not entitled to similar benefits. As RBG described it, "And it stemmed from dividing the world into separate spheres; women and children go together, men work outside the home. We were trying to change that way of thinking so that men - if they were parents - would have the same benefits as women. And women who wanted to be whatever - a doctor or a lawyer, police officer or pilot - that would be fine." I liked that way of looking at the whole perspective.

The two females who inspired her when she was growing up were Amelia Earhart, who was flying planes when women were kept out of such jobs and also Nancy Drew, a girl who led her boyfriend around while she solved crimes.

What RBG found strange was that women were restricted from doing certain jobs and men considered it as protecting them. Women couldn't be prosecutors because they couldn't deal with tough criminal types. But wome were already legal aid and representing these tough criminal types. She says that Supreme Court Justice Brennan had put it so well, 'the woman was not, in fact, on a pedestal, she was, instead in a cage. A cage that confined her'

Throughout this short interview, RBG said how encouraged she was about the changes that had been wrought to give women so much more equality, inclusivity. As I read it, I couldn't help but wonder what she would think about what has happened since her death; the most recent Supreme Court ruling about Roe v Wade, how it is women governors and federal representatives (not just women, mind you) who are fighting to take away women's rights to choose what they do and what happens to their bodies. I'm sure she'd be leading the charge to fight these restrictions if she were still alive.

Anyway, this is a review, not me venting. To get a perspective on the Notorious RBG, this is an excellent starting point. Check it out. (3.5 stars)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In less than 75 pages including beautiful portraiture of Ginsburg, we get biographical information as well as an interview and memorable quotes. Put out by the Nelson Mandela Foundation this slim volume is part of a larger project "conceived to record and share what really matters for the most inspiring leaders of our time." Appropriate for older junior readers through adult.

[gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

“true, we have not reached nirvana, but the progress i have seen in my lifetime makes me optimistic for the future. our communities, nation, and world will be increasingly improved as women achieve their rightful place in all fields of human endeavour.”

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love RBG. This interview was brief but very inspiring in both an academic and spiritual way.

[Emily Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

very much enjoyed this very short read, definitely some things to take away from it!

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic celebration of RBG's life and achievements.

The first advice I would give to a girl just like me would be, 'Go for it.' You can make your dreams come true if you're willing to put in the hard work that takes. Something else I would say, whatever you do, whatever line of work you choose, always do something outside yourself. You're a member of a community, you are blessed with having certain talents. You should use your education and your talent to help make things a little better for people who are not as fortunate as you are.

[Em Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devoured this. It’s bite-sized but packed full of inspirational stories and RBG’s many life lessons

[Pat Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough meat about RBG in this interview, and two-page spreads of single quotes interrupt the reading.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book; gift from Cindy.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading a summary of the personal and professional life of RBG. This short interview is a great primer to read to lead into more in depth reading into RBG, women’s right, and social justice, but it’s brevity deprives it of the details I crave about her life and career. That’s why I rated it 4 and not 5 stars.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. Favorites from RBG "The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of men and women. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which weight their interests alongside its own, without bias." A short well-written lesson reminding us where to focus our attention and actions.

[moxieBK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: I know this to be true (on equality, determination & service) — Geoff Blackwell (Introduction + Prologue + The Interview + About the Project + Notes and Sources) Jan 21, 2021

I normally avoid reading books, per se, but this one was handed to me. I was told it was short could be read in one sitting and that I’d enjoy it.

It’s an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for heaven’s sake!

And it did read quickly. The book included a few images of Ginsburg, but only of the same image presented in different ways.

The Notorious R. B. G. parted the phrase, “of many, one” and the oldie/goodie: If [at first] you don’t succeed, try, try again.

rant/ Truly a trailblazer, I will never forgive Congress for not granting her wish to not replace her if she died near the election. But Republicans got to be Republicans. /rant

A shortie to read but a worthwhile book. This is one of many in this “this I know to be true” series. All of them look to be gems.

Four stars.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting interview on Ruth Bader Ginsburg about her life, and how it was to fight constantly for her right to be more than just a mother and wife.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is featured in this Nelson Mandela Foundation book. Her answers to the questions during the interview included, "Was it always so clear-cut being able to see what you wanted and to go after it?" Her answer: "When the women's movement came alive in the late 1960's, I knew that's what I wanted to devote my energy to. There were things I observed growing up, but as a young adult, I thought, ' Well, that's just part of the territory. You have to put up with it.' No, we don't have to put up with it. We should be able to do whatever we have the talent to do. And no one should stop us simply because we're women.' I plan on giving a copy of this book to each of my granddaughters, to remind them that is was RBG who fought for women's rights and made their choices possible.

[Rama · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Whatever you do, whatever line of work you choose, always do something outside yourself. You're a member of a community, you are blessed with having certain talents. You should use your education and your talent to help make things a little better for people who are not as fortunate as you are.”

Was so excited about this but it was so short 😭 it was essentially an 80 page interview with RBG about her motivations for the entering the legal field in a time when women were discriminated against in both the workplace and common society. She comes across as witty, brief, and incredibly intelligent, but the whole piece could have been an article. There were very little unknown details about her life, and I felt as though the interviewer was not digging beneath the surface.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I had the opportunity to be part of a movement for change, so that daughters would be cherished as much as sons, and women could achieve whatever their talent and hard work enabled them to achieve."

"Two things were important to my mother. One was that I be independent, and the other – she called it – ‘being a lady’. And by that she didn’t mean wearing white gloves. She meant that a lady doesn’t give way to emotions that sap energy and do no good. Anger. Jealousy. Remorse. Those are emotions that don’t move you forward, they trap you. So ‘being a lady’ meant don’t snap back in anger, take a few deep breaths and respond in a way that helps educate people who don’t understand."

[Amber Mlnarik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a thoughtful gift and will remain on my coffee table to remind me of Ruth and all she has done for me. Not only was Ruth a tireless advocate for women, the disenfranchised and people of color, she was a true role model on how to have meaningful and positive discourse with those of opposing views. She and Antonin Scalia were great friends outside of the SCOTUS even though they could not be more different in their views. I admire this so much. Our country lost a great soul when we lost the Notorious RBG.

[Kemi looves 2 read · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was not enough of RBG but it provided a good summary. I One of my favourite quotes from the book: 'My dream for the world is that we will be better off when women and men are truly partners in society at every level.'

This is one of a series of books published in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela foundation. The series consisted of 12 interviews a year (6 women and 6 men) over a period of five years. I look forward to checking out the other books.

I look forward to reading other motivational books by RBG and about her.

[Franziska · Rating 4 out of 5]

#review #reading #rbg #neuerscheinung2022

Ein Buch mit 71 Seiten, kann nur ein Anriss einer Geschichte oder eines Themas sein bzw. nur oberflächlich darstellen. So auch geschehen in vorliegenden Werk. Dennoch ist der Gedanke mit dem Lesen des Buches (bzw. des Erwerb) einen Beitrag an die #nelsonmandelafoundation geleistet zu haben, allein ein guter Grund.

Ihr Wirken für die Gleichberechtigung ist beachtenswert. Großer Respekt für dies Lebensleistung.

[Giulia Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this little book in one sitting when I was going through a depressive episode. Even if I would not consider this book groundbreaking and I expected it to go into more detail, it was a beautiful reminder of what life is all about and why we should continue fighting… even if everything seems hopeless and our inner voice tells us to give up. Also I was a huge fan of RBG to begin with and this only reinforced that belief:))

[Camille Murashige · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to someone who doesn’t know much about RBG. Definitely preliminary for a reader of my perspective who has followed her/read about her for a long time, but nonetheless serves as a lovely reminder for what she stands for, her legacy, and what we still have to accomplish as American women.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this very short portrait of one of my heroes, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. This book has distilled the essence of RBG to fewer than 80 pages. Whether one is simply exploring the life of RBG for the first time, or seeking a reminder of how extraordinary RBG's life and achievements were, this book captures it succinctly!

I highly recommend this book.

[TinaYAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very inspirational. Although as famous as she was, all the advices she gives in this book are very practical to follow. The book also gives a very good general idea of what she pursued in her career and relationships with her family. Overall, a very good and light book for even a lunch break read if you want to know her as general.

[Drina Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My dream for the world is that we will all be better off when women and men are truly partners in society at every level."

Ruth is about equality, determination, and service.

I enjoyed the quotes she shared, especially choose your battles; know your fight and others will follow your lead. Good for the young people or reader(s).

Easy read.

[Alissa Meltzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small book, big message. This book is an interview with RBG. Always a pleasure to read about her, especially when it’s in her own words. Inspiring series of books, chronicling strong leaders, by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short beautifully printed book/interview with RBG. I thought I knew practically everything about her, but I learned something new: Nancy Drew was one of her inspirations growing up. We have something in common!

[Bougon Yves · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this very short book published in "I know this to be true" series created in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is interviewed, and her life briefly introduced. A good introduction to "Notorious R.G.B." world and work.

[Catherine Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love RBG? A very brief book about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life a her opinions. This book is from The Nelson Mandela Foundation and it’s series of interviews with global leaders. Ruth Bader Ginsburg- what an amazing thinker and a powerful voice for change and equality for all!