The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court by Bob Woodward; Scott Armstrong (Very good, 1979, HC, 467 pgs, Simon and Schuster)

The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court by Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong is a controversial and detailed behind-the-scenes account of the U.S. Supreme Court. It focuses primarily on the early years of Chief Justice Warren Burger's tenure (from the 1969 through 1975 terms). The book pulls back the veil of secrecy surrounding the Court to explore several core themes:

• The Nixon Tapes Case: A major focus is placed on the Court's unanimous 1974 decision in United States v. Nixon, which forced the President to turn over the Watergate tapes.
• Justice Personalities: It provides intimate portraits of the justices and their heavy reliance on young law clerks to draft opinions and shape Court dynamics.