Lovely One

A Memoir

By: Ketanji Brown Jackson

Narrated by: Ketanji Brown Jackson

Length: 18 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In her “vulnerable, tender, and infinitely inspirational” (Oprah Daily) memoir, the first Black woman to ever be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States chronicles her extraordinary life story.

“A billowingly triumphant American tale.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

With this unflinching account, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson invites listeners into her life and world, tracing her family’s ascent from segregation to her confirmation on America’s highest court within the span of one generation.

Named “Ketanji Onyika,” meaning “Lovely One,” based on a suggestion from her aunt, a Peace Corps worker stationed in West Africa, Justice Jackson learned from her educator parents to take pride in her heritage since birth. She describes her resolve as a young girl to honor this legacy and realize her dreams: from hearing stories of her grandparents and parents breaking barriers in the segregated South, to honing her voice in high school as an oratory champion and student body president, to graduating magna cum laude from Harvard, where she performed in musical theater and improv and participated in pivotal student organizations.

Here, Justice Jackson pulls back the curtain, marrying the public record of her life with what is less known. She reveals what it takes to advance in the legal profession when most people in power don’t look like you, and to reconcile a demanding career with the joys and sacrifices of marriage and motherhood.

Through trials and triumphs, Justice Jackson’s journey will resonate with dreamers everywhere, especially those who nourish outsized ambitions and refuse to be turned aside. This moving, openhearted tale will spread hope for a more just world, for generations to come.

©2024 Ketanji Brown Jackson (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] billowingly triumphant American tale of early promise fulfilled.”—The New York Times

“Vulnerable, tender, and infinitely inspirational, this book will make you proud of how far our country has come and riled up to help carry us where we need to go—which for [Ketanji Brown] Jackson may yet include the Broadway stage.”—Oprah Daily

“Once again, a gift has arrived in this country—brown-skinned, brilliant, and beautiful. Morally sound and truly believing in liberty and justice for all.”—Jacqueline Woodson, Elle

Her meticulous penchant for detail

She is a brilliant raconteur. I loved everything about it… her intelligent descriptions of the legal system, the black experience and her grit in accomplishing her goals, best of all her kindness. This is a MUST READ!

Inspiring and Real

I found this book to be faithful, honest, and informative. A life perfectly blended expression of life, art, and community.

Amazing Gift

Justice Brown Jackson is an amazing gift to the court and to her people.

Fascinating life

Loved hearing her own voice as she details her life experience and path to the Supreme Court. Inspiring, informative and interesting. Highly Recommended.

Amazing story telling

I absolutely loved Justice Brown Jackson’s memoir. I learned so much about her and have a new found appreciation for her journey to SCOTUS!

Excellent in all accounts

I saw Justice Brown on an interview with a morning news broadcast station and decided to download this book as my October read. I didn’t know what to expect.

But as a former litigator turned professional sales woman, I was blown away. It’s my declaration that all lawyers should read this book, most of all those who are female, BIPOC, or otherwise under represented.

So good!

the journey taken from childhood

So far, the most interesting memoir I ever heard in audio. it made me emotional through the challenges and successes narrated here.

A journey well told

This has been a heartfelt, inspiring and informative book about a beautiful African American Woman who is gracing the Supreme Court of the US. Thank you for sharing your experience, aspirations, life stories and families.

Great Story

Justice Jackson is truly a great story teller. She reeks you in to situations which make you think, laugh, cry, and realize we are all the same. Definitely worth the read or listen to.

I never read this genre, but…

I heard Justice Brown Jackson’s interview on City Arts & Lectures and, although I rarely read memoirs, I am so very glad I purchased the audiobook read by the author herself.

It’s an insightful, often amusing, and moving story. My respect for and faith in her character, experience, and ability, gives me a glimpse of optimism for the future of SCOTUS.

This is a person worthy of the title: Supreme Court Justice.