Throughout his adult life, Thurgood Marshall dedicated himself to pursuing legal routes to racial equality. Marshall worked as a lawyer for the NAACP and participated in groundbreaking cases such as Brown versus The Board of Education that resulted in the forced desegregation of the nation's public schools. Ultimately, Thurgood Marshall's prowess as a litigator led to his appointment as a Supreme Court Justice during President Lyndon Johnson's term in office. Throughout his career, Thurgood Marshall campaigned for a liberal agenda based upon the premise that people's right to equal enjoyment of life's gifts was an inherent one that must be protected by the government. A complex man, Thurgood Marshall saw great growth in the fight for equal rights. Sadly, as his years on the Supreme Court evolved he saw an increased polarization of legal precedents and a rolling back of civil rights. In 1967 when Thurgood Marshall started on the Supreme Court, two thirds of African-American students were enrolled in integrated public schools. At the time of his death in 1993 two thirds of the African-American students were attending segregated schools. Thurgood Marshall once said, "Democracy cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage." These words and the story of this fascinating man's life are important for younger readers need to know. 2001, Lerner, $25.26. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck