Sarah Isgur's New Book Champions Judicial Institutionalism Over Partisan Drama

Sarah Isgur’s latest volume, "Last Branch Standing," builds on the institutionalism concept she explores on her Advisory Opinions podcast, assessing how justices balance respect for precedent, narrow rulings, and the Court’s institutional health. The book depicts the nine sitting justices as intelligent and decent, stressing the Supreme Court’s function as a trusted constitutional pillar rather than a partisan instrument.

Written in an engaging, lay-friendly style, it covers procedural basics, landmark cases, and modern controversies such as the Kavanaugh-Ford saga and the Trump immunity ruling. Isgur leverages her background as SCOTUSblog editor and former Justice Department spokesperson to demystify complex legal ideas. Though clearly right-of-center, she refrains from casting villains, instead urging citizens to recognize the Court’s legitimacy as its most potent asset. The review notes the upbeat tone reflects the author’s optimism more than a rigorous academic thesis, yet it succeeds in delivering digestible insights into the judiciary’s inner workings.