The Supreme Court Of Florida, 1917-1972 by Walter W. Manley II, professor of business administration at Florida State University, and Canter Brown, Jr., special assistant and counsel to the president, and professor of history, at Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, continues the history of the Supreme Court of Florida, which began with the 1997 publication of The Supreme Court Of Florida And Its Predecessor Courts, 1821-1917.

The Supreme Court is divided into five periods, which describes and analyzes the development of Florida’s Supreme Court from rural southern obscurity to a modern dynamic court. The authors chronicle, not only the court’s relevant cases, including biographical sketches of the jurists, but also provide an historical overlay of the state. Thus, we are introduced to not only the court, but also the economic and political transformation of Florida into a modern urban state.

Part One, “The Roller-Coaster Years, 1917-1932,” spans the era marked by a roller coaster of fortune from lethargy to boom and bust, which presented Florida with exceptional and changing circumstances, mirrored in the state supreme court’s cases. Court decisions decided legal questions ranging from balancing patriotic support with states rights in World War I, litigation arising from growth and development, transportation, alcoholic beverage regulation, corporate and labor law, elections laws and women’s rights.

Part Two, “The Great Depression and World War II, 1933-1945,” examines the dynamics of the years of depression and war and the stresses on the state’s social fabric as it adjusted to the circumstances. The case decisions included those arising from the New Deal and state initiatives, class action lawsuits, race and race relations, speech, press and religion.

Part Three, “Peace and Prosperity, 1946-1955,” covers the era of the postwar boom, which transformed Florida into an urbanized, air-conditioned Mecca for tourists and transplants. Noteworthy was the influence of talented veterans, educated by the GI Bill. Cases involving consumerism, the environment, labor law, the state bar, local government powers, civil rights and right to counsel are examined.

Part Four, “Change and Reaction, 1955-1964,”chronicles the civil rights era with the political leaders as diverse as LeRoy Collins to Farris Bryant to Haydon Burns. Cases summarized include race and race relations, legislative reapportionment and redistricting, religion in public schools, the right to counsel in Gideon v. Wainwright and women’s rights.

Part Five, “The Realization of Reform, 1964-1972.” presents the economic, social and political transformation of the state, exemplified by the vision of Walt Disney, reapportionment, the advent of a viable two-party system, constitutional revision and the “Government in the Sunshine Law.” Cases cited included those involving consumer protection, environmental protection, labor law, local government law, the right to counsel, speedy trial, transportation and women’s rights.

The Supreme Court Of Florida, 1917-1972 is a masterful compendium of the court, which will appeal to the lawyer and layman. It contains 448 pages, with contents, 25 illustrations, preface and acknowledgments, notes, bibliography and index. It can be ordered for $59.95 from University Press of Florida, 15 NW 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079, 1-800-226- 3822.

This was written November 14, 2006 and published in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Fla.) of December 6, 2006 4C.