The case of United States v. One Book Called Ulysses revolved around the attempt to import and publish James Joyce's groundbreaking novel Ulysses in the United States. The U.S. Customs Service had deemed the book obscene due to its frank discussions of sexuality and coarse language, leading to an official seizure of the initial editions. This triggered a legal battle that would test the limits of literary expression and the legal definitions of obscenity. Judge John M. Woolsey, presiding over the case, took a measured approach by closely examining the content of the book, declaring that it could not be considered obscene when viewed in its entirety. He stated that the book's purport and purpose were to depict life realistically and to depict universal human experiences, thus possessing significant artistic value. Woolsey's ruling emphasized the importance of a broader context in which literary works should be evaluated rather than focusing solely on isolated passages. His decision not only allowed Ulysses to be published and read freely in the United States but also set a precedent for future works that would face similar accusations. This case marked a deliberate shift toward a more liberal interpretation of free speech in literature and encouraged other authors to explore controversial themes in their works without fear of censorship.