Cover Image: The Collars of RBG

The Collars of RBG

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Member Reviews

In this incredible photographic insight into the iconic second woman Supreme Court Justice, Elinor Carucci and Sara Bader use a combination of photographs and anecdotes to explore Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s iconic collars that she wore to the Supreme Court over her nearly thirty-year tenure. Exploring the stories and histories behind each collar, readers learn more about this incredible woman and the impact she had on American government and on its everyday citizens through her words on the Court and her actions outside it. The combination of bright collars against a black or white background emphasizes the detail and intricacy of the collars, while the text throughout the book (anecdotes and quotes) adds more context to the collars while also speaking to Ginsburg’s life of service as a lawyer and justice. This book is an incredible read or gift for any woman who admires the late Justice Ginsburg and the work she has done over her amazing and awe-inspiring career. The prose of this book is honest, warm, and personable, and readers are sure to enjoy the combination of visuals and language in this fantastic, beautiful book. This is a must read for fans of RBG, feminism, textile work, and lace making.

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I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Collars of RBG: A Portrait of Justice" offers a poignant and visually striking tribute to the iconic Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Elinor Carucci's evocative photographs, paired with Sara Bader's insightful commentary, create a compelling portrait of a trailblazer whose impact resonates far beyond the courtroom.

Carucci's lens captures the essence of Justice Ginsburg in a series of intimate and powerful photographs, highlighting not only her role as a jurist but also the person behind the robe. The symbolic collars, each chosen with purpose and meaning, become a visual narrative that transcends the legal realm, providing a unique perspective on the life and legacy of a remarkable woman.

Sara Bader's commentary complements the visual narrative by delving into the significance of the collars and their connection to Justice Ginsburg's jurisprudence. Bader's words add depth to the images, offering readers a richer understanding of the symbolism embedded in each accessory and its reflection of Justice Ginsburg's commitment to equality and justice.

"The Collars of RBG" succeeds in humanizing a legal giant, presenting a multifaceted portrait that goes beyond the usual depictions of justices. The collaboration between Carucci and Bader results in a seamless blend of art and commentary, creating a book that pays homage to Justice Ginsburg's impactful career while celebrating her as a person of resilience and grace.

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This was a great book. I loved the combination of photos and stories about important times in Ruth's life. The photos were awesome. The details were spot on. You can tell that a lot of care was put into getting the photos just right. As I was going through and reading the stories, it made me gain a deeper appreciation for RBG. The stories were succinct and to the point, easily digestible without being too long. I loved the photos in this book so much that I even purchased a physical copy to gift to my sister for Christmas.

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"The Collars of RBG: A Portrait of Justice" by Elinor Carucci and Sara Bader is a captivating visual and literary tribute to the iconic Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Carucci's photographs beautifully capture the essence of Justice Ginsburg, both in her professional and personal life, offering an intimate glimpse into the collars that became synonymous with her legacy.

Bader's accompanying text is a thoughtful exploration of Ginsburg's groundbreaking career and the symbolism behind her distinct collars. The book seamlessly weaves together anecdotes, quotes, and historical context, creating a well-rounded narrative that celebrates Ginsburg's impact on the legal landscape and her trailblazing efforts for gender equality.

What sets "The Collars of RBG" apart is its ability to humanize a legal giant, portraying Ginsburg not just as a Supreme Court Justice but as a woman of strength, intellect, and style. This delightful collaboration is a must-read for admirers of RBG, offering a touching and visually stunning homage to a trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire.

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This was very informative and I enjoyed seeing her different collars. I miss her being on the court.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review,

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The Collars of RBG: A Portrait of Justice by Elinor Carucci and Sara Bader (Clarkson Potter Publishers, November 2023) is a lovely coffee table book celebrating the unique personality and strong political influence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with detailed photographs of her legendary collars.

The text of the book highlights the origin of each collar (when known) as well as the meaning behind it for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, such as when she wore it in order to make her trademark statements about the decisions of the Supreme Court. Some of the informational pages for the collars also has a photo from Ginsburg’s life, either featuring a time she wore the collar, or another significant time in her life, such as a family or personal photo. Each collar has an overview photo as well as detail photos to highlight the unique and gorgeous features. In between the instructional pages and the photographical pages are pages with a quote from Ginsburg in the center, some of which feature an all-black background to match the black background of the collar photographs.

I read a digital review copy of this book and so I did not get the full impact of the gorgeous contrast between the white and bright collars and the black backgrounds. Yet even without the physical copy and the double-page spread layout, I could feel the gravity as well as significance of this book and can imagine the heft it would add to a coffee table as a discussion starter or simply as an artistic book to browse. It’s gorgeous as well as highly relevant for anyone who admires RBG and would like a lasting physical memorial for display and to read to remember her life and legacy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Thanks to this tribute book to RBG, my shopping list has just been reduced. The beautiful photographs along with the provenance of the collars as well as quotes by RBG is truly a fascinating read. She did not select her collars to wear randomly; there was a reason and purpose to the selection so expect to have a chuckle or two. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Clarkson Potter for an advanced review copy; the review is my honest opinion.

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*Some people wear T shirts to project their views and stances, RBG knew how
to express herself within the boundaries dictated by her place on the
bench. Almost everyone knows that RBG loved wearing her collars (aka jabots),
a trend she started with peer Sandra Day O'Connor to feminize and reclaim
their robe-attire. This book is the behind the scenes of the how, why, and
from whom (and frequently) where of RBGs most famous collars is truly
fascinating.
*The detailed pictures help bring the stories to light (almost literally)
*I was able to see just how much others loved RBG in their gifts to her
*RBG may no longer be with us, but her legacy and memory is a blessing and
the histories of her contribution to the law.
I requested and received an EARC on Adobe Digital Editions via NetGalley. Thank you!

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This book was a wonderful remembrance of one of the most iconic and influential woman of our time. It was amazing to see the progression from RBGs first collar to her last.

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***** I have received and read an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****


Like her or loathe her, RBG was a force during her time.

And while people knew she had decorative collars, I doubt many people knew just how many different collars she wore and how many of the collars told a story or gave some inside perspective on whatever subject she was working on.

This book is full of stunning photographs and stories that I'd not heard elsewhere.

Definitely worth a read about a strong woman who was such an important impact on history.

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Lovely photos, interesting history and details, and great quotes from RBG. Like a decoder ring for looking back at photos of Justice Ginsberg, to decipher her attitude on any given day. A must-have for any fan.

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If I was the type of person that owns a coffee table, this would be its book. At 224 pages, it explores more than collars -- discussing Justice Ginsburg's life, career, and major Supreme Court opinions (and dissents 😉)A timeline at the end taught me that the first female federal judge and SCOTUS law clerk were appointed/hired during her lifetime, in addition to Justice O'Connor's appointment as the first female Justice. There are women in history that have opened doors and shattered ceilings, and then there's Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her career is fascinating to me, not least of which because so much of it was conducted in rooms full of men.

As far as the collars go, my favorite was the lace collar given to her by her alma mater Columbia University to commemorate her 25th year on SCOTUS. The book describes the artist working for over 300 hours with hurting back and hands to make it. There's something very romantic about an artist using such an historic medium to create something of such beauty for a member of the Court. I loved learning more about RBG's collars and life and, well, I'll likely buy this for my house at some point, but thanks anyway for the ARC, NetGalley.

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"The Collars of RBG" by Elinor Carucci and Sara Bader is a journey through Ruth Bader Ginsburg's time serving on the Supreme Court, told through photographs of her collars, the stories behind them, and quotes from Ginsburg about her life. In this non-fiction book, the authors using stunning photos of RBG's well-known neck pieces to take readers on a journey through her trailblazing work on the highest court in the land.

While RBG was famous for the collars and jabots she wore during her time on the bench, this book does not reduce her to her styling, but rather uses it to enhance the legacy of a woman who fought for equal protection for all under the United States Constitution. The photographs are stunning, and feature close-ups of the detail within each piece, as well as information on their creation when it is available. I found the stories some of the artists shared about what it meant to them to design for Ginsburg particularly moving, and "The Collars of RBG" is a very worthwhile introspection on the indomitable woman who wore them.

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Breathtakingly done. The photographed collars jump off the page and are stunningly detailed. I appreciated how the author intersperses anecdotes from RBG's life and direct quotes between each image. I now have a new understanding of why and how she wore her ubiquitous collars and a new appreciation, as well.

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This book is the perfect gift for any RGB fan with style. This book has all the hallmarks of a great conversational piece, perfect for a coffee table or a bookshelf. I loved that it connected all facets of Ruth's life -- her tastes, her family, her faith, and her flare. The photographs are beautiful and the anecdotes are hopeful.

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Got this today and finished today. Loved the behind the scenes look into the one and only RBG and the iconic collars. I also spent time sharing with my kids as this was a great conversation starter for them as well.

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The Collars of RGB was a very interesting book showing us many of Ruth Badger Ginsburgs collars that she worse through the years and tells us how it all began. I especially enjoyed the photos and the stories behind when, where and why she wore them when she did. It is such an interesting way to learn about History. Great job by the Author's!

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This is a wonderful collection of stories about RBG and her infamous collars. It was so lovely to get the story behind some of her collars and the connections of the moments they were worn. I was delightfully surprised to know that some of these collars were mass produced necklaces that she found a new use for. This is the perfect coffee table book and I can’t wait to share with my fellow feminists!

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I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would 'just' be a coffee table book of photos, but in reality it was so much more. Yes, the photos of the collars are stunning. But reading about the history behind the collars themselves was, for me, the most enjoyable part of this read. The book also includes quotes from RBG, photos of the court and various photos from throughout her life. If you are an RBG fan, or have one in your life, this is definitely a book you should add to the collection!

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History book AND stunning photos for the notorious RBG?! YES PLEASE! Loooooooved this - I want the physical copy so I can see the photos in alllllll their shining glory. Thank you!

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