LIFE. East Lincoln -- The Asparagus Ranch -- Civic projects -- The Senate page -- McClatchy High -- Brown v. Board of Education -- University days -- San Francisco and wonderful Mary -- LAW. Returning to Sacramento -- Teaching -- Law practice -- Ronald Reagan and the Court of Appeals -- Joining the bench -- The Pacific and the world -- Salmon -- How to decide a case -- Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha -- Sudden sorrows -- LIBERTY. A vacancy on the court -- One of nine -- Law clerks -- Judicial colleagues -- The Judge's mindset -- Freedom of speech -- Political speech -- Religion -- Gay rights -- Abortion -- Death penalty for juveniles -- Juvenile life sentences -- Prisons -- Bush v. Gore -- Judicial ethics -- Around the world -- Talking senior status -- Law clerks to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy

"Justice Anthony Kennedy was at the ideological center of a closely divided U.S. Supreme Court for thirty years. Often writing landmark opinions in pivotal cases, he affirmed and redefined liberty for our nation--protecting political speech, upholding a women's right to choose, abolishing the death penalty or minors, and legalizing gay marriage... In [this book], Kennedy tells his story--filled with personal heartbreak and incredible accomplishment--and reflects on the nuanced role of a judge."--Dust jacket flap