The membership of the US Supreme Court is more diverse today than it has been at any other point in its history. Joining the Court is one of the highest achievements in a legal career. To get there, nominees must pass through a grueling confirmation process in the Senate Judiciary Committee, a body that has been dominated by white men throughout its history. Boyd, Collins, and Ringhand shine new light on the confirmation process, with a focus on how race and gender shape nominees’ experiences with it. Their book makes substantial contributions that will be valuable to anyone interested in the Court, Congress, or race and gender representation in political institutions more generally.

While not their primary focus, the book's first contribution is a clear, concise history of both the diversification of the federal courts and Senate's role in judicial confirmation. Boyd, Collins, and Ringhand explain how presidents have used nominations to appeal to particular constituencies. While both Republican and Democratic presidents have used this strategy, the authors document how the diversity of the federal courts has grown most rapidly under Democratic presidents. They also explain the nomination process itself and how the Senate Judiciary Committee's role in it has expanded over time. These explanations are replete with historical details and insight