May It Please the Court

The First Amendment: Transcripts of the Oral Arguments Made Before the Supreme Court in Sixteen Key First Amendment Cases

Edited by:

Peter Irons

A book-and-tape set from the bestselling original series, featuring recordings and transcripts of sixteen First Amendment cases involving issues from flag burning to the Pentagon Papers

This sequel to the bestselling May It Please the Court focuses on key First Amendment cases illustrating the most controversial debates over issues of free speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble, including: Burnes v. Glen Theater (nude dancing), New York Times v. United States (the Pentagon Papers case), Texas v. Johnson (American flag burning), Brandenburg v. Ohio (hate speech by Klansmen), and Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell (“emotional distress” for parody advertisement).

The transcripts of actual oral arguments made before the Supreme Court identify the speakers and put the cases in context. They offer an unrivaled view of the Supreme Court in action that will interest anyone wanting firsthand exposure to American law and history.

Cases include:

Abington School District v. Schempp (school prayer)

County of Allegheny v. ACLU (nativity crèche and menorah display)

Barnes v. Glen Theater, Inc. (nude dancing)

Branzburg v. Hayes (reporters’ sources)

Employment Division v. Smith (peyote)

New York Times v. Sullivan (libel)

New York Times v. United States (Pentagon Papers case)

R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul, Minnesota (cross burning)

Texas v. Johnson (American flag burning)

Tinker v. Des Moines (wearing black armbands in school)

United States v. O’Brien (draft card burning)

Books by Peter Irons

The New Press

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