With this volume, Roe v. Dobbs: The Past, Present and Future of a Constitutional Right of Abortion, we confront the remarkable beginning and end--once again, after a half-century-of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, shockingly overruled by the Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The goal of this book is to bring together some of our nation's leading constitutional scholars, historians, philosophers, and medical experts to share their views on whether there should be a constitutional right to abortion and what the consequences of Dobbs might be. What makes this subject unique is how it intersects with our own lives, since both Bollinger and Stone were law clerks at the Supreme Court in the year that Roe was decided (1973)--Stone for Justice William Brennan and Bollinger for Chief Justice Warren Burger. During the Court's 1972 Term, when Roe was decided, the Court was in a state of flux. President Nixon had just appointed four Justices to the Court--Burger, Blackmun, Powell, and Rehnquist. The era of the Warren Court was clearly over. In those days, the Justices were non-partisan, often joined opinions across the political/ideological spectrum, and approached cases with an open mind. That in large part explains why the Court could reach the decision it did in Roe, with five of the six Republican-appointed Justices and two of the three Democratic-appointed Justices in the majority, and one Republican-appointed justice (Rehnquist) and one Democratic-appointed justice (White) in dissent. It was a different Court and a different era.

If you ever wondered how our country went from Roe to Dobbs, then you must read this book. Professors Bollinger, Stone and their contributors explain the constitutional issues, laws and politics surrounding both decisions and explore what the real-world impact of the Court's decision will mean not only to abortion access but to all of our fundamental rights as Americans. * Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State; Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs *
This is a rich and varied collection, from a dazzling array of thinkers, about one of the crucial political and legal issues of our time. These essays explore the jurisprudence of reproductive rights from many perspectives, illuminating the consequences for equality and freedom writ large. * Emily Bazelon, Truman Capote Fellow at Yale Law School *
Want to understand what the Supreme Court did in Dobbs and why it matters? This book's for you. Bollinger and Stone, both respected constitutional scholars, have assembled a star-studded cast of contributors, including several whose views diverge from their own. Powerfully framed by the editors' opening and closing dialogue, the twenty essays examine Roe and Dobbs from virtually every angle. Whatever your views on abortion, this timely, thoughtful book is sure to reveal aspects of the issue you haven't previously considered. * David S. Tatel *
This thorough and footnote-laden book soundly refutes the recent political canard that "all legal scholars, both sides" wanted Roe v. Wade ended. The leading constitutional law scholars in the nation wrote the 20 articles collected in this volume, and their well-supported conclusion (from diverse points of view) is that Roe v. Wade accurately reflected the right to privacy and the right to equal protection inherent in the Constitution and in American values. * Choice *
Bollinger and Stone have assembled some of the best constitutional law scholars in the country to debate and discuss the various legal, political, and historical factors underlying what has arguably become one of the nation's most controversial issues. * Kanav N. Sahgal, LSE Review of Books *
Roe v. Dobbs is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand public arguments about abortion after Dobbs. The arguments in this book, strong or weak, will be very influential in the media, in legislative hearings, and in courts. These are the post-Dobbs arguments for abortion, as well as the arguments for overturning Dobbs if the Supreme Court's composition changes in the future. * Clarke D. Forsythe, Federalist Society Review *

Lee C. Bollinger served as Columbia University's 19th president from 2002 to 2023. He is Seth Low Professor of the University, a member of the Columbia Law School faculty, and one of the nation's foremost First Amendment scholars. Geoffrey R. Stone is the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago. Mr. Stone joined the faculty in 1973, after serving as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. He is a preeminent constitutional law scholar.