The book puts the Court in its historical context, but it focuses primarily on the current era. The edition incorporates recent developments in and around the Court. Most evident are President Obama's 20009 appointment of Justice Sotomayor and the effects of President Geotge W. Bush's two appointments to the Court in 2005 and 2006. It's first chapter introduces the Supreme Court .In it discuss the Court's role in general terms, examine the Court's place in the judicial system, analyze the Court as an institution, and present a brief summary of its history.