From Polish freedom fighter to Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the long life of Marian Opala was filled with danger, adventure, and an inordinate thirst for knowledge. His profound devotion to the rule of law was the foundation of his character. Opala's somewhat mysterious past is preserved in the writing of this authorized biography that began a few months before his death in 2010. It is a story that traverses the emotions of war, romance, and decision making at the highest levels of Oklahoma's judiciary.

Opala: In Faithful Service to the Law

Bob Burke

Ryan Leonard

Oklahoma Heritage Association

Product Description 
Don Nickles rose higher and wielded more influence in Congress than any other Oklahoma Republican in history. His political career ran for a quarter of a century and took him from the back bench of the Oklahoma State Senate to the No. 2 position in the United States Senate. As the youngest Republican ever elected to the U.S. Senate, Nickles never lost an election and helped turn the Oklahoma Republican Party into the powerful force it is today. His pleasant personality and refusal to make political battles personal helped him win the respect of opponents as he climbed the leadership ladder. Along the way he served as chairman of the National Republican Senate Committee, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, and finally as Assistant Majority Leader. After his public service, Nickles stayed in the nation's capital and formed a successful consulting firm known as The Nickles Group. 
 About the Author 
BOB BURKE, born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, has written more historical non-fiction books than anyone else in history. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Oklahoma City University and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from OCU and a BA in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Burke's 132 books have won many awards, including three Pulitzer Prize nominations. Burke is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame. He is father to Robert, Amy, and Cody, stepfather to Natalie, Lauren, and Calli, and grandfather to Nathan, Jon, Ridge, Fallon, Greyson, Mia, Emerson, Sutton, Charlie, and Cameron. He and his wife, Chimene, live in Oklahoma City where he practices law and writes books. RYAN LEONARD is a fourth-generation native of Beaver in the Oklahoma Panhandle. An attorney and avid historian, Leonard began his career as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Don Nickles in Washington, D.C., returned to Oklahoma to serve as a state prosecutor in Canadian County, and presently is in the private practice of law in Oklahoma City. He is active in public and civic affairs across the state and serves as a commissioner representing Oklahoma on the national Uniform Law Commission. This is the second time he has collaborated with Bob Burke, the first being their 2012 award-winning biography of the late Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Marian Opala. Leonard and his wife, Carrie, are the proud parents of four children Catie, Will, Matthew, and Mary Frances.

Principles and Perseverance: The Life of Don Nickles

Oklahoma Hall of Fame

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Books by Ryan Leonard

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ryan Leonard. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Opala: In Faithful Service to the Law

Principles and Perseverance: The Life of Don Nickles