June 15, 2016
Uncharacteristically, the editor of this collection of excerpts from former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's (1936-2016) landmark opinions and dissents is not an academic. Instead, Ring's expertise developed during his roles in public service as counsel to Sen. John Ashcroft and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's Constitution, Federalism and Property Rights Subcommittee. This illustrative work is a reprise of, and addition to, Ring's Scalia Dissents: Writings of the Supreme Court's Wittiest, Most Outspoken Justice. As with its previous iteration, this title showcases Scalia's ever-provocative and often controversial opinions, frequently delivered in his famous dissents. Not only does this book illuminate Scalia's interpretative approach to the law, known as textualism or originalism, but it also demonstrates Scalia's formidable contribution to virtually every major area of jurisprudence. Scalia weighed in on critical issues such as separation of powers, race, abortion, the death penalty, religious freedom, homosexuality, and free speech, inter alia. Here the inimitable Scalia speaks for himself in his distinctively clever way. Even readers who disagree with the justice's conservative views can appreciate his stylistic rendering of them. VERDICT This compendium of classic Scalia offers an excellent counterpoint for readers of The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, edited by Scott Dodson.--Lynne Maxwell, West Virginia Univ. Coll. of Law Lib., Morgantown
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