King of the Mountain: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Chief Judge Sol Wachtler

Once known for his historically significant landmark decisions on civil rights, free speech, the right-to-die, and for banning discrimination, New York Chief Judge Sol Wachtler rose to the top of his profession and was a high roller in state politics a potential candidate for governor. But in a matter of months, this rising judicial star exploded in a whirlwind of scandal over an affair with socialite Joy Silverman.

Award-winning Albany Times Union legal reporter John M. Caher has followed W...