The Education of Brett Kavanaugh audiobook cover - An Investigation

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh

An Investigation

Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly

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PoliticsBiography & Memoir

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The Education of Brett Kavanaugh
Early Education & Culture+
The Accusations+
Career & Political Climate+
Going Public+
The Testimonies+
Investigation & Conclusions+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
How is the culture at Brett Kavanaugh’s high school, Georgetown Prep, described in the book?
  • A. Academic-focused with strict disciplinary actions for bullying.
  • B. Jock-centric, where elite athletes received special treatment and misogyny was pervasive.
  • C. Highly progressive with comprehensive sex education for all students.
  • D. Arts-focused with mandatory participation in theater and music programs.
Question 2 of 10
During the alleged 1982 incident, how did Christine Blasey Ford recall escaping the bedroom?
  • A. Mark Judge intervened and pulled Kavanaugh away from her.
  • B. Leland Ingham knocked on the door, distracting Kavanaugh.
  • C. Judge jumped on the bed a second time, causing Kavanaugh and Ford to fall off.
  • D. Ford fought back and pushed Kavanaugh into the wall before running out.
Question 3 of 10
How did Brett Kavanaugh’s classmates characterize his behavior and ambitions during his early years at Yale?
  • A. A lazy student who coasted on his high school achievements and wealthy background.
  • B. A diligent student dedicated to public sector work, who occasionally engaged in heavy drinking.
  • C. A charismatic leader who was determined to secure a lucrative job on Wall Street.
  • D. A brilliant but introverted scholar who avoided the fraternity and party scenes entirely.
Question 4 of 10
What was the context surrounding Deborah Ramirez's allegation against Brett Kavanaugh?
  • A. It occurred during a politically charged debate club gathering.
  • B. It happened at a fraternity initiation ritual off-campus.
  • C. It took place at a keg party in Kavanaugh's residence building during 'Feb Club.'
  • D. It happened during a high school reunion party years after graduation.
Question 5 of 10
Which prior political event significantly contributed to the highly contentious nature of Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination?
  • A. The passage of major environmental protection regulations that Kavanaugh had publicly opposed.
  • B. The Republican Senate blocking Barack Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland in 2016.
  • C. The sudden resignation of multiple Supreme Court justices in protest of the Trump administration.
  • D. Kavanaugh's role as the lead prosecutor in a highly publicized Wall Street corruption case.
Question 6 of 10
What motivated Christine Blasey Ford to initially reach out to politicians about her past experience with Kavanaugh?
  • A. She wanted to secure a financial settlement before Kavanaugh’s confirmation was finalized.
  • B. She felt it was her civic duty to inform the decision-makers considering his Supreme Court nomination.
  • C. She was approached by Democratic operatives to help derail the Trump administration's agenda.
  • D. She wanted to gain media attention to promote her academic work at Stanford University.
Question 7 of 10
What was a noticeable, immediate impact of Christine Blasey Ford's televised testimony?
  • A. Brett Kavanaugh immediately withdrew his name from the Supreme Court nomination shortlist.
  • B. The Senate unanimously agreed to delay the vote by six months.
  • C. The National Sexual Assault Hotline received a massive increase in calls.
  • D. Multiple other high school classmates came forward with identical allegations.
Question 8 of 10
During his testimony, how did Brett Kavanaugh respond to questions regarding his drinking habits?
  • A. He calmly admitted to struggling with alcoholism during his youth.
  • B. He became combative and indignantly turned a question about blacking out back on Senator Amy Klobuchar.
  • C. He refused to answer any questions related to alcohol, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights.
  • D. He laughed off the questions, stating that everyone drank heavily in college.
Question 9 of 10
Why was the week-long FBI investigation preceding the Senate vote considered highly controversial from the start?
  • A. The FBI agents concluded that both Ford and Ramirez had entirely fabricated their stories.
  • B. The White House set strict limits on the investigation, and neither Kavanaugh nor Ford were interviewed.
  • C. The investigation illegally accessed the private medical records of several witnesses.
  • D. The report was published publicly before the Senate had a chance to review it privately.
Question 10 of 10
Based on their extensive interviews, what do the authors conclude about the allegations and Kavanaugh's character today?
  • A. All allegations were likely orchestrated political attacks, as Kavanaugh has always been a model citizen.
  • B. The accusers' accounts ring true and Kavanaugh likely lied about not blacking out, though he appears to have evolved into a highly professional and considerate adult.
  • C. The allegations ring false, but Kavanaugh's aggressive testimony proved he is completely unfit for the Supreme Court.
  • D. Both Kavanaugh and his accusers suffered from false memories, making it impossible to determine the truth.

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh — Full Chapter Overview

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh Summary & Overview

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh (2019) offers a thorough examination of the events surrounding the confirmation process of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Details around Kavanaugh’s time in high school and college are revealed through interviews with former classmates. The authors also explore the tumultuous political climate at the time of the confirmation process and the toll it took on all of the parties involved.  

Who Should Listen to The Education of Brett Kavanaugh?

  • Americans concerned about the legitimacy of government processes
  • News junkies looking for insight into controversial subjects
  • Anyone curious about the life of Brett Kavanaugh

About the Author: Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly

Robin Pogrebin is a New York Times reporter who’s covered city news and media, and who now works at the Culture Desk, where she investigates the politics at work in our cultural institutions. She’s also worked at ABC News and the New York Observer, and she graduated from Yale University in 1987. 

Kate Kelly is a New York Times reporter who covers Wall Street. She’s also the author of Street Fighters (2009), a best-selling book about the recent financial crisis. She previously worked at CNBC, the New York Observer and the Wall Street Journal. She graduated from Columbia University in 1993.

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