A new book that is a personal portrait of the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court reveals Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s disillusionment with her successor, Justice Samuel Alito Jr., her devastation over her cancer diagnosis, and her successful maneuvering in Bush v. Gore.

Evan Thomas, author of the forthcoming “First,” had O’Connor’s cooperation and permission to speak with colleagues, friends and clerks. Thomas also had access to O’Connor’s papers—most of which are closed to the public at the Library of Congress—and to her private papers in her Supreme Court chambers.