Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived

When I was in law school, from time to time I would have a little intellectual banter with my classmates. We would quiz each other on the composition of our ideal United States Supreme Court if we could draft justices from any era (very exciting group of people, we lawyers). My own went something like Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Hugo Black, John Marshall, Joseph Story, James Wilson, John Marshall Harlan, Charles Evans Hughes, Louis Brandeis, and Lewis Powell. If I could pick judges who never made it to the highest level, I might substitute one out for Henry Friendly, Learned Hand, or Chancellor Kent. What was notable about our game, however, is almost no one picked justices from the current Supreme Court. This is in no small part because every one of them is a bland, unoriginal writer. The only near-contemporary I might name is the recently deceased Antonin Scalia. In his later years on the bench, he became the most prominent member of the federal judiciary as he published law review articles, granted television interviews, and gave talks across the country. A collection of his speeches, Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived, has been edited and recently published by Edward Whelan and the justice’s son Christopher Scalia. It performs expertly its task of showing a more personal side of the most important justice of the last thirty years. The central theme of this book is Justice Scalia’s ardent defense of originalism. There are two closely related but distinct theories of originalism: original intent and original meaning. Original intent looks at the text of a legal document and attempts to discern what the drafters intended for it to mean; original meaning, on the other hand, takes the text and interprets it using the understanding of the words as was common to the time of the law’s creation. Justice Scalia believed in the latter. The corollary to original meaning is textualism, the idea for modern statutes that words plainly mean what they say unless a different definition is provided. Another important theme of Justice Scalia’s work was the need for judicial humility and avoidance of reading one’s own views into a statute. In a speech to the Dominican Order, the justice explained Thomas Aquinas believed any written code opposed to natural law was immoral and invalid. Natural law is the idea that there are certain moral truths discernible by anyone using right reason. Justice Scalia’s argument against this position was twofold. First, it is impossible for any one individual to always correctly discern the moral arc of the universe. Even if particular issues seem to have a clear-cut answer, this type of judging will ultimately descend into choosing one’s own personal policy preferences. Second, as a practical matter, attempting to implement an equitable interpretation of the law, rather than what the words say, leads to unpredictable results. One of the most famous examples where Justice Scalia applied this argument was abortion. For him, Roe v. Wade and its case law progeny were a tragedy, not just as a member of the Catholic faith, but also for reading into the United States Constitution a right to abortion contained nowhere in the text. Justice Scalia argued that it should be left to the legislature, as the democratically elected branch, to determine whether or not to allow abortion; if the legislature chose to permit it, Justice Scalia would apply the law despite his personal disagreement with it as a policy. Justice Scalia faced a few major criticisms while alive. One was that he allegedly applied his own judicial philosophy of originalism inconsistently. Another was the concern of many that the Constitution is a relatively bare-bones text and legislatures are often lethargic or unresponsive in crafting laws supported by broad swaths of the public, so Justice Scalia’s philosophy did not account for the challenges of the modern era. Whether those criticisms have merit is left to each individual reader, but undoubtedly Justice Scalia’s views continue to have an outsized influence on legal interpretation. Justice Scalia covered a wide range of other issues, including his general hostility to using foreign law to interpret American rights outside rare circumstances, eulogies lamenting the passage of time and friends, his pride in being a Catholic and Italian-American (emphasis on American), the value of a college education for newly-minted graduates, and an encomium on turkey hunting that may be the best defense of sportsmanship by a federal official since Herbert Hoover’s advocacy of fly fishing. One section praising his personal heroes included a piece on William Howard Taft. Taft is a footnote in presidential history always coupled with Theodore Roosevelt, but Justice Scalia pointed out his pivotal role as chief justice in lobbying for the Supreme Court to receive their own building in Washington, D.C. and supporting the passage of a bill giving the court discretionary review over its appellate docket. This was always part of my esteem for the rotund man, and I am glad Justice Scalia concurred. My favorite speech in the collection, however, may be his defense of dissenting opinions. In his later years, Justice Scalia became increasingly stinging in his critiques of the direction the Supreme Court was headed. Sometimes a dissent is a cry from the wilderness unheeded at the time and later viewed as prophetic, other times it is an expression of individual quirkiness, and in some instances it represents the position of a substantial chunk of public opinion. In each case, it is an attempt by the dissenting judge to stake out his own intellectual domain and provoke the reader into considering a new view. Few performed this job better than Justice Scalia. Sometimes he would save those criticisms of colleague’s opinions for private discussion, rather than score easy political points with public criticism. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg noted in her touching foreword, “Now and then he would call me, or stop by my chambers, to point out a slip I had made in an opinion draft. He did this, resisting circulation of a memorandum, copes to other justices, that might embarrass me. When we disagreed, my final opinion was always clearer and more convincing than my initial circulation. Justice Scalia homed in on all the soft spots, energizing me to strengthen my presentation.” With the bitter partisan bickering that plagues both the Republican and Democratic parties, it is nice to know that tucked away in the far corners of government some people still have the capacity for personal respect during instances of professional disagreement. Justice Scalia’s absence from the Supreme Court leaves it poorer. Even on occasions when one disagreed with him, the force of his character and intellectual acumen challenged his opponent’s preconceived notions and pushed them to make their own arguments sharper. This collection shows the gifted mind and warm personality that defended American law for decades.

Beautifully written....Judge Scalia is a legend and, I believe, history will show him to be one of the most honorable judges to sit onthe bench... a man of great wisdom In reading this book, the reader is quick to relate to this great man and his great compassion for those he serves...ALL the people. This bookhas given me the desire to look for those things which I can do to become more active in everyday life to seek opporunities to serve my fellowman and woman in quiet acts of random kindness and love'

I'm just barely into this book; but love it already! My limited impression so far is that this is REAL "stuff." Real LIFE "stuff." Wisdom flowing our of the Justice's mind and lips, with personal experience, humor, .... and this great "life stuff" that I can relate to. For me, it is a book for quiet, in-interrupted (fingers crossed! :) ) time; perhaps sipping hot coffee or tea, puffing on a pipe, or sipping slowly, on a Cordial or wine. Think. Listen intently; Don't read this book with the TV blaring! Be QUIET and listen to a voice - so far, mind you, I've just read a few chapters, - a voice of wisdom! I have communicate with one Justice of our Supreme Court; but how I regret never having written to Justice Antonin Scalia! I know I would cherish his reply. And I believe I would always receive a reply from him.

Chris Scalia has made his Dad, my dear friend Nino, a very proud Papa indeed. This collection of Nino’s speeches and writings, as his good friend and colleague Justice Ginsburg writes in her Foreword, confirms Nino’s indelible stamp on Supreme Court jurisprudence, indeed one of the best if not the best Justice in our Nation’s history. Chris reveals the good man his Dad was, a remarkable family, Nino’s loving wife Maureen McCarthy, who made Nino, the proud Italian American, eligible to become a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick! Reading this wonderful book is bittersweet for those of us lucky to be in his company and to have him as a very dear friend. It is a book for all, irrespective of whether one is a lawyer. To understand our Nation and the rule of law, this is a must read, for Nino was truly a man for all seasons.

Nino, who once said he didn't even know how his name is supposed to be pronounced, has been a larger than life figure from the late 80's until his death three years ago. Perhaps the first thing to note is the respect and devotion of his colleagues who most often disagreed with him. The foreword is by Justice Ginsburg, who also worked closely with Robert Bork, and Justice Elena Kagan added that Scalia changed the way we all think about the law. While Bork and Clarence Thomas caused highly heated debates in the Senate, Scalia got through easily in 1986 and was Italian-American. The collection begins with a reflection on the Irish-Americans, such as his wife Maureen, from the Italian point of view. There's the obligatory reference to Daniel Moynihan, and a reflection on the relationship between Americans and the various places to which they trace their heritage. The area of most interest, of course, is Scalia's area of expertise, the law. Even for those who usually agree with him, his is not the only approach. For me, it would seem that if a judge believes there is a natural law, then it must weigh quite heavily on the conscience, regarding what is just. This was once not just a Catholic doctrine but a major factor for Martin Luther King's action. Scalia's approach emphasizes more the positive law and its historical context. For instance, he says that Alexander Hamilton's interpretation is weighed heavily, not because wrote the Constitution (Madison), but because "...who for Pete's sake must have understood what the thing meant". While Bork's philosophy is complex (as noted by Joe Biden in Promises to Keep), the similar Scalia tends to be more accessible. He is a religious person but makes his explanations in secular terms. One may think that he is opposed to abortion, or homosexual sodomy, but his analysis sticks to what the law means. His favorite example is flag burning, which is a terrible thing that he opposes but is allowed under his understanding of the Constitution. Faith is obviously another area of interest to Scalia. The Catholic journalist Rocco Palmo noted that he was the most revered figure, ordained or lay, in the diocese of Arlington. He was an intelligent layman, who asked the questions that prompt the ordained (such as his son Paul) to look at the mysteries from another perspective. Scalia had an exuberance and joy of life. Perhaps this was captured by Stephen Colbert at the infamous White House Correspondents' dinner with George W. Bush. Scalia had given someone the Sicilian chin. So Colbert bit his thumb at Scalia, who almost fell over in belly laughter. His mind seemed to work almost effortlessly, giving lessons in history and American civics. His devotion to Washington showed that character is more important than the brains of Jefferson, Hamilton or Madison. Scalia was widely known for his dissents. One interesting one was on the independent counsel, before the investigations of Bill Clinton and now Donald Trump. When Obergefell came out, you just knew that he would have something to say-among other things, "I would hide my head in a bag". Stanley Fish used him as an example of how to learn to write a sentence. "Interior decorating is a rock-hard science compared to psychology practiced by amateurs". This book abounds with such one-liners. There was a time before they discovered the commandment to keep holy the weekend. (Referring to Mass on Saturday afternoon or evening). Baseball is a bunch of guys standing around while nothing happens, while soccer, which we didn't have back then, has them running around back and forth while nothing happens.

Buy it. I aspired to be a lawyer in my youth because it seemed like a good way to afford a Ferrari. That didn't work out, but my affinity for good legal logic always lingered. Reading this book enhanced the respect for the great minds of our jurisprudence. The mind of Justice Scalia, coupled with the moral compass that directed him, is so impressive, makes one cry out in agony for his loss to our highest court.

Mucho respect for the compilers of this collection of speeches. Scalia represents Constitutional originalism; that is, advocacy of the exact intentions of its framers. Positives: 1) the speeches are mostly short and sweet. 2) Lots of wit. 3) I'd challenge anybody who couldn't say they gained a better understanding of American government and the Constitution. The religious stuff would be mainly for Catholics. Although Sir Thomas More (A Man for All Seasons) going to his execution on principle is an absorbing tale. SAMPLES: "One of the strengths of this great country, one of the reasons we really are a symbol of light and of hope for the world, is the way in which people of different faiths, different races, different national origins, have come together and learned—not merely to tolerate one another, because I think that is too stingy a word for what we have achieved—but to respect and love one another." "A recent survey found that only about half of the American people could name the first book of the Old Testament; only about a third could say who gave the Sermon on the Mount; and only about a fifth could name a single Old Testament prophet. A nation that used to abound with names like Ezekiel and Zebadiah now presumably thinks that the Beatitudes are a female singing group. " In England a toast is customarily presented: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Queen." It is the custom to reply to that toast with a toast “To the president of the United States.” But if one wishes to evoke the deep and enduring symbol of our nationhood and our unity as a people, it seems to me the toast ought to be “Ladies and gentlemen, the Constitution of the United States.” "Societies always mature; they never rot. This despite the twentieth century’s evidence of concentration camps and gas ovens in one of the most advanced and civilized nations of the world." It is quite impossible to forgive the line “To be great is to be misunderstood,” which has been cribbed from the same book of banalities as “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” "The cardinal sin of capitalism is greed; but the cardinal sin of socialism is power." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reading level: College. Many 50 cent legal words and latin phrases.

Love the style of this book from actual speeches and public engagements. While not a wild fan of some of his ideas and positions, Scalia certainly was the type of person almost anyone would have liked and this book makes you understand why. His commitment to communicating well and with anyone willing underlies his almost fanatical curiosity about people and wanting to understand them. This book does such great justice to a Justice who, while built from the upper echelons of the best institutions, was a commoner at heart. The higher and more prestigious he got, the more emphatic he was to champion the idea of the American Dream and the idea of the level playing field. There should be more books like this about people taken from their verbal interactions in which there is little place to hide, shade or misinterpret - and no commentary telling you what they just said.

Justice Scalia was a great man. One who didn't try to impress people, but one who did anyway. Brilliant, but easy going. A good sense of humor along with a fine legal mind. The co-authors did a great job of putting this work together. You will enjoy this book and the Justices humor. His love of family, love of country and love of friends is evident throughout.

What's to say. A mind like Scalia's doesn't come along every day. The way he thinks as well as his moral bent not to mention his wit makes all these writings (speeches and letters) splendid reading. It's the kind of book you can read a few speeches and then put down. No loss of continuity because it is not a story. Each writing is self contained but you get a good impression of the man himself and what he was made of by reading them. I also thoroughly enjoyed the foreward written by his great friend Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Marvelous.

When I was in law school, from time to time I would have a little intellectual banter with my classmates. We would quiz each other on the composition of our ideal United States Supreme Court if we could draft justices from any era (very exciting group of people, we lawyers). My own went something like Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Hugo Black, John Marshall, Joseph Story, James Wilson, John Marshall Harlan, Charles Evans Hughes, Louis Brandeis, and Lewis Powell. If I could pick judges who never made it to the highest level, I might substitute one out for Henry Friendly, Learned Hand, or Chancellor Kent. What was notable about our game, however, is almost no one picked justices from the current Supreme Court. This is in no small part because every one of them is a bland, unoriginal writer. The only near-contemporary I might name is the recently deceased Antonin Scalia. In his later years on the bench, he became the most prominent member of the federal judiciary as he published law review articles, granted television interviews, and gave talks across the country. A collection of his speeches, Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived, has been edited and recently published by Edward Whelan and the justice’s son Christopher Scalia. It performs expertly its task of showing a more personal side of the most important justice of the last thirty years. The central theme of this book is Justice Scalia’s ardent defense of originalism. There are two closely related but distinct theories of originalism: original intent and original meaning. Original intent looks at the text of a legal document and attempts to discern what the drafters intended for it to mean; original meaning, on the other hand, takes the text and interprets it using the understanding of the words as was common to the time of the law’s creation. Justice Scalia believed in the latter. The corollary to original meaning is textualism, the idea for modern statutes that words plainly mean what they say unless a different definition is provided. Another important theme of Justice Scalia’s work was the need for judicial humility and avoidance of reading one’s own views into a statute. In a speech to the Dominican Order, the justice explained Thomas Aquinas believed any written code opposed to natural law was immoral and invalid. Natural law is the idea that there are certain moral truths discernible by anyone using right reason. Justice Scalia’s argument against this position was twofold. First, it is impossible for any one individual to always correctly discern the moral arc of the universe. Even if particular issues seem to have a clear-cut answer, this type of judging will ultimately descend into choosing one’s own personal policy preferences. Second, as a practical matter, attempting to implement an equitable interpretation of the law, rather than what the words say, leads to unpredictable results. One of the most famous examples where Justice Scalia applied this argument was abortion. For him, Roe v. Wade and its case law progeny were a tragedy, not just as a member of the Catholic faith, but also for reading into the United States Constitution a right to abortion contained nowhere in the text. Justice Scalia argued that it should be left to the legislature, as the democratically elected branch, to determine whether or not to allow abortion; if the legislature chose to permit it, Justice Scalia would apply the law despite his personal disagreement with it as a policy. Justice Scalia faced a few major criticisms while alive. One was that he allegedly applied his own judicial philosophy of originalism inconsistently. Another was the concern of many that the Constitution is a relatively bare-bones text and legislatures are often lethargic or unresponsive in crafting laws supported by broad swaths of the public, so Justice Scalia’s philosophy did not account for the challenges of the modern era. Whether those criticisms have merit is left to each individual reader, but undoubtedly Justice Scalia’s views continue to have an outsized influence on legal interpretation. Justice Scalia covered a wide range of other issues, including his general hostility to using foreign law to interpret American rights outside rare circumstances, eulogies lamenting the passage of time and friends, his pride in being a Catholic and Italian-American (emphasis on American), the value of a college education for newly-minted graduates, and an encomium on turkey hunting that may be the best defense of sportsmanship by a federal official since Herbert Hoover’s advocacy of fly fishing. One section praising his personal heroes included a piece on William Howard Taft. Taft is a footnote in presidential history always coupled with Theodore Roosevelt, but Justice Scalia pointed out his pivotal role as chief justice in lobbying for the Supreme Court to receive their own building in Washington, D.C. and supporting the passage of a bill giving the court discretionary review over its appellate docket. This was always part of my esteem for the rotund man, and I am glad Justice Scalia concurred. My favorite speech in the collection, however, may be his defense of dissenting opinions. In his later years, Justice Scalia became increasingly stinging in his critiques of the direction the Supreme Court was headed. Sometimes a dissent is a cry from the wilderness unheeded at the time and later viewed as prophetic, other times it is an expression of individual quirkiness, and in some instances it represents the position of a substantial chunk of public opinion. In each case, it is an attempt by the dissenting judge to stake out his own intellectual domain and provoke the reader into considering a new view. Few performed this job better than Justice Scalia. Sometimes he would save those criticisms of colleague’s opinions for private discussion, rather than score easy political points with public criticism. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg noted in her touching foreword, “Now and then he would call me, or stop by my chambers, to point out a slip I had made in an opinion draft. He did this, resisting circulation of a memorandum, copes to other justices, that might embarrass me. When we disagreed, my final opinion was always clearer and more convincing than my initial circulation. Justice Scalia homed in on all the soft spots, energizing me to strengthen my presentation.” With the bitter partisan bickering that plagues both the Republican and Democratic parties, it is nice to know that tucked away in the far corners of government some people still have the capacity for personal respect during instances of professional disagreement. Justice Scalia’s absence from the Supreme Court leaves it poorer. Even on occasions when one disagreed with him, the force of his character and intellectual acumen challenged his opponent’s preconceived notions and pushed them to make their own arguments sharper. This collection shows the gifted mind and warm personality that defended American law for decades.

Beautifully written....Judge Scalia is a legend and, I believe, history will show him to be one of the most honorable judges to sit onthe bench... a man of great wisdom In reading this book, the reader is quick to relate to this great man and his great compassion for those he serves...ALL the people. This bookhas given me the desire to look for those things which I can do to become more active in everyday life to seek opporunities to serve my fellowman and woman in quiet acts of random kindness and love'

I'm just barely into this book; but love it already! My limited impression so far is that this is REAL "stuff." Real LIFE "stuff." Wisdom flowing our of the Justice's mind and lips, with personal experience, humor, .... and this great "life stuff" that I can relate to. For me, it is a book for quiet, in-interrupted (fingers crossed! :) ) time; perhaps sipping hot coffee or tea, puffing on a pipe, or sipping slowly, on a Cordial or wine. Think. Listen intently; Don't read this book with the TV blaring! Be QUIET and listen to a voice - so far, mind you, I've just read a few chapters, - a voice of wisdom! I have communicate with one Justice of our Supreme Court; but how I regret never having written to Justice Antonin Scalia! I know I would cherish his reply. And I believe I would always receive a reply from him.

Chris Scalia has made his Dad, my dear friend Nino, a very proud Papa indeed. This collection of Nino’s speeches and writings, as his good friend and colleague Justice Ginsburg writes in her Foreword, confirms Nino’s indelible stamp on Supreme Court jurisprudence, indeed one of the best if not the best Justice in our Nation’s history. Chris reveals the good man his Dad was, a remarkable family, Nino’s loving wife Maureen McCarthy, who made Nino, the proud Italian American, eligible to become a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick! Reading this wonderful book is bittersweet for those of us lucky to be in his company and to have him as a very dear friend. It is a book for all, irrespective of whether one is a lawyer. To understand our Nation and the rule of law, this is a must read, for Nino was truly a man for all seasons.

Nino, who once said he didn't even know how his name is supposed to be pronounced, has been a larger than life figure from the late 80's until his death three years ago. Perhaps the first thing to note is the respect and devotion of his colleagues who most often disagreed with him. The foreword is by Justice Ginsburg, who also worked closely with Robert Bork, and Justice Elena Kagan added that Scalia changed the way we all think about the law. While Bork and Clarence Thomas caused highly heated debates in the Senate, Scalia got through easily in 1986 and was Italian-American. The collection begins with a reflection on the Irish-Americans, such as his wife Maureen, from the Italian point of view. There's the obligatory reference to Daniel Moynihan, and a reflection on the relationship between Americans and the various places to which they trace their heritage. The area of most interest, of course, is Scalia's area of expertise, the law. Even for those who usually agree with him, his is not the only approach. For me, it would seem that if a judge believes there is a natural law, then it must weigh quite heavily on the conscience, regarding what is just. This was once not just a Catholic doctrine but a major factor for Martin Luther King's action. Scalia's approach emphasizes more the positive law and its historical context. For instance, he says that Alexander Hamilton's interpretation is weighed heavily, not because wrote the Constitution (Madison), but because "...who for Pete's sake must have understood what the thing meant". While Bork's philosophy is complex (as noted by Joe Biden in Promises to Keep), the similar Scalia tends to be more accessible. He is a religious person but makes his explanations in secular terms. One may think that he is opposed to abortion, or homosexual sodomy, but his analysis sticks to what the law means. His favorite example is flag burning, which is a terrible thing that he opposes but is allowed under his understanding of the Constitution. Faith is obviously another area of interest to Scalia. The Catholic journalist Rocco Palmo noted that he was the most revered figure, ordained or lay, in the diocese of Arlington. He was an intelligent layman, who asked the questions that prompt the ordained (such as his son Paul) to look at the mysteries from another perspective. Scalia had an exuberance and joy of life. Perhaps this was captured by Stephen Colbert at the infamous White House Correspondents' dinner with George W. Bush. Scalia had given someone the Sicilian chin. So Colbert bit his thumb at Scalia, who almost fell over in belly laughter. His mind seemed to work almost effortlessly, giving lessons in history and American civics. His devotion to Washington showed that character is more important than the brains of Jefferson, Hamilton or Madison. Scalia was widely known for his dissents. One interesting one was on the independent counsel, before the investigations of Bill Clinton and now Donald Trump. When Obergefell came out, you just knew that he would have something to say-among other things, "I would hide my head in a bag". Stanley Fish used him as an example of how to learn to write a sentence. "Interior decorating is a rock-hard science compared to psychology practiced by amateurs". This book abounds with such one-liners. There was a time before they discovered the commandment to keep holy the weekend. (Referring to Mass on Saturday afternoon or evening). Baseball is a bunch of guys standing around while nothing happens, while soccer, which we didn't have back then, has them running around back and forth while nothing happens.

Buy it. I aspired to be a lawyer in my youth because it seemed like a good way to afford a Ferrari. That didn't work out, but my affinity for good legal logic always lingered. Reading this book enhanced the respect for the great minds of our jurisprudence. The mind of Justice Scalia, coupled with the moral compass that directed him, is so impressive, makes one cry out in agony for his loss to our highest court.

Mucho respect for the compilers of this collection of speeches. Scalia represents Constitutional originalism; that is, advocacy of the exact intentions of its framers. Positives: 1) the speeches are mostly short and sweet. 2) Lots of wit. 3) I'd challenge anybody who couldn't say they gained a better understanding of American government and the Constitution. The religious stuff would be mainly for Catholics. Although Sir Thomas More (A Man for All Seasons) going to his execution on principle is an absorbing tale. SAMPLES: "One of the strengths of this great country, one of the reasons we really are a symbol of light and of hope for the world, is the way in which people of different faiths, different races, different national origins, have come together and learned—not merely to tolerate one another, because I think that is too stingy a word for what we have achieved—but to respect and love one another." "A recent survey found that only about half of the American people could name the first book of the Old Testament; only about a third could say who gave the Sermon on the Mount; and only about a fifth could name a single Old Testament prophet. A nation that used to abound with names like Ezekiel and Zebadiah now presumably thinks that the Beatitudes are a female singing group. " In England a toast is customarily presented: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Queen." It is the custom to reply to that toast with a toast “To the president of the United States.” But if one wishes to evoke the deep and enduring symbol of our nationhood and our unity as a people, it seems to me the toast ought to be “Ladies and gentlemen, the Constitution of the United States.” "Societies always mature; they never rot. This despite the twentieth century’s evidence of concentration camps and gas ovens in one of the most advanced and civilized nations of the world." It is quite impossible to forgive the line “To be great is to be misunderstood,” which has been cribbed from the same book of banalities as “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” "The cardinal sin of capitalism is greed; but the cardinal sin of socialism is power." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reading level: College. Many 50 cent legal words and latin phrases.

Love the style of this book from actual speeches and public engagements. While not a wild fan of some of his ideas and positions, Scalia certainly was the type of person almost anyone would have liked and this book makes you understand why. His commitment to communicating well and with anyone willing underlies his almost fanatical curiosity about people and wanting to understand them. This book does such great justice to a Justice who, while built from the upper echelons of the best institutions, was a commoner at heart. The higher and more prestigious he got, the more emphatic he was to champion the idea of the American Dream and the idea of the level playing field. There should be more books like this about people taken from their verbal interactions in which there is little place to hide, shade or misinterpret - and no commentary telling you what they just said.

Justice Scalia was a great man. One who didn't try to impress people, but one who did anyway. Brilliant, but easy going. A good sense of humor along with a fine legal mind. The co-authors did a great job of putting this work together. You will enjoy this book and the Justices humor. His love of family, love of country and love of friends is evident throughout.

What's to say. A mind like Scalia's doesn't come along every day. The way he thinks as well as his moral bent not to mention his wit makes all these writings (speeches and letters) splendid reading. It's the kind of book you can read a few speeches and then put down. No loss of continuity because it is not a story. Each writing is self contained but you get a good impression of the man himself and what he was made of by reading them. I also thoroughly enjoyed the foreward written by his great friend Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Marvelous.

If you like exposure to brilliant thinking/writing, humor ,and discussion of interesting and important issues of the day, this would be the book for you. Although legal questions are discussed in some detail there are many other matters covered. All the subjects are subjected to clear, concise analysis. The complaint that all lawyers are bad writers is refuted by the speeches compiled in this wonderful book. Don't miss out on this one!!

Justice Scalia was certainly an intellectual heavyweight on the Supreme Court, but this compilation of his speeches demonstrates the consistency and strength of his worldview. It also demonstrates his humor--often self-deprecating--and his passion for life. He is a man who truly made his mark on humanity.

Antonin Scalia’s book, "Scalia Speaks" is a compendium of his speeches given throughout his life that reflect his extraordinary and enormous talent. He is without a doubt the most erudite, judicious and intelligent individual I’ve ever read. I could easily use more adjectives to describe my feelings while reading his speeches, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He was a very rare individual. Anyone with a reasonable understanding of the Constitution should be thankful for the providence he displayed while sitting on the Supreme Court, and his “textual” interpretation of the Constitution, and eloquent jurisprudence in rendering opinions.

Beautifully written. A window into who Justice Scalia was at his core. A wonderful gift to give and receive.

A readable selection of Scalia's speeches. They describe his "originalist" interpretation of the Constitution and why it serves as our best protection. Lawyers will gain from it, but so will historians and anyone teaching or studying the Constitution.

The content is simply a collection of Scalia's speeches and quotes. Hard to go wrong there. However, the book showed up with someone else's book mark. Also, the pages are cut such that it's hard to turn the pages because each page is a different width. Don't they make decent books anymore? I wanted this book as a fun read to keep as a reference, but it's so awkward to page through.

What I like the most about reading this book is visualizing Antonin Scalia giving the speech's I was reading. I learned a lot about Antonin life in this book. I have great respect for Judge Scalia, and now I feel like I know him a lot better. I highly recommend this book for all who seek the truth.

The book is not what I expected, maybe I didn't read enough of the descriptors or reviews. The book is an accumulation of Antonin Scalia's speeches during his career. He was invited to speak to various topics and each speech brings greater understanding of the man, his beliefs and how the justice system is supposed to work according to the founding fathers. Insightful, challenging in thought and well worth the time. I read and reflect on one speech per day. Very satisfying.

This book is really enjoyable. It is like getting a history lesson while enjoying the speeches he gave. It is one of the better books I have read for a long time. It will also give you a sense of the kind of moral and ethical man Scalia was. I highly encourage you to read it.

As well as gaining more insight into his decisions and dissents, the book reveals him to be a decent man, talented, multi-faceted, a man that I would have been pleased to have as a neighbor or friend. I feel that we have been made better for his life, just as we will be poorer for his absence. The book arrived on time, new, in good condition.

There’s a reason Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg were lifelong friends, and those reasons are evident in these amazingly smart, witty, warm, inspired, and literary speeches, all of which stand as correctives to our poisonously politicized culture. Do yourself a favor and orbit around Scalia’s world for awhile. He is one of the few great thinker-writers who improve you simply by reading him. A true pleasure.

The older I get the more I prefer to read things from a Catholic point of view. This book doesn't disappoint. When you read this you will probably think as I do that Scalia's death was not only a terrible loss for the Supreme but for the whole country as well. Witty, erudite and written in the plain style. Truly inspiring.

Wonderful insight into a brilliant and influential man who loved the constitution and had the courage to uphold its dictates even when it went against his own cherished beliefs. Funny and witty throughout.

Excellent read covering a multitude of topics as given in speeches overy the years by the best Supreme Court Justice in at least the last century. Clearly shows his thought processes in clear, understandable, and often humorous anecdotes. Strongly recommended

The contents is a good read, non-partisan and informative. The hard cover quality on the other hand is not soo good. Poor quality paper, similar to a paperback, the edge is not trimmed. I actually returned the first one I received for a replacement and received another in the same un-trimmed condition.

Brilliant mind! And such a good and decent man...excellent read!

What an amazing public speaker to such a variety of audiences who all end up adoring Justice Scalia.

Terrific collection of compelling speeches from a legendary intellect. Thoroughly compelling and persuasive in the writing, I can imagine how much moreso they were in person. A terrific way to familiarize yourself with a great intellect.

This was obviously a labor of love by the editors. The true character and spirit of Justice Scalia comes through loud and clear0---and in his own words. A magnificent tribute to his incredible legacy.

I admire Scalia but some of his talks were too complicated for me. Most were very good.

These thought-provoking essays are worth reading just for the beauty of the language alone. But even more than that, it's the kind of book that causes the reader every now and then to pause and re-read what he just read and think about the what Justice Scalia just said and marvel at the persuasiveness of his argument.

This book presents a very different way to learn about a man. Rather than reading a biography where somebody tells you all about an individual, this book allows you to learn all about an individual By having him tell you about others and how they influenced his perspective on the world and the court. I learned a lot!

Well written, interesting .... so much history. When I finished the book , not only did I feel I knew him but also had learned so much about those years. One of my favorite books.

Justice Scalia was a person of integrity, who was intelligent, very knowledgeable, a man/person for all seasons, intellectual and a Justice who did not utilize our Constitution as a mental plaything to satisfy a Judge's current whim or personal ideology. A very good read in all ways.

Phenomenal man of character, intellect, morality, and decency towards others with differing opinions. Exceptional writing, considered insights, and humor. Caused me to read the constitution and Federalist Papers (of all things) to better understand the founders' bases for the U.S. government and protection of American of rights. Only wish I was more interested in him and his judgeship while he was alive. Review based on Paperwhite ebook which worked very well with functional table of contents.

The speeches of the late Supreme Court Justice try (with humor and vignettes) to make some pretty subtle legal concepts accessible to a more general readership. But even those with some legal training or merely generally knowledgeable in what used to be taught in school as "civics" will be informed while being entertained.

From the first page to the last a book I found uplifting, funny and most certainly insightful. I highlighted for my own personal enjoyment many a quote. I finished this book sad to have lost Scalia but comforted in knowing his words and insight shall life for many years

Enjoyed his humor and blown away by his intelligence. There will never be another Scalia. We should miss his adherence to our Constitution while serving on Supreme Court.

Brilliant! Justice Scalia wrote beautifully, great sense of humor, intelligent, and very informative. Reading this books makes me wish I could have met him.

Absolutely first rate. Some of his legal views are explained, but in layman's terms. Many other of his views also presented, again in a common sense way. His personality comes through as well. Some repetition, but overall excellent and very readable.

My SO thanks me everyday for buying him this book. It's an excellent collection of Scalia's opinions on many subjects, and he agrees with all of them!

Thoughtful. Wonderful use of English vocabulary and occasional Latin, French. Humorous. Great stories. Blends in history with past and current legal cases. Principles of personal character. Shows joe argumentation does not have to be angry towards adversaries. Recommended for the thoughtful, not the flippant.

I have been taking notes while reading and studying his teachings - I can't remember doing this in decades. Easy to read, but a lot to digest.

A terrific collection of Justice Scalia's speeches on a wide range of subjects. No matter the subject, Justice Scalia has many insights, all arising from the core of his life: family and faith; not to mention that he is the most influential Supreme Court justice in the past 50 years. Reading his speeches, I am certain that I would have loved to meet him and speak with him.

Each Chapter a new subject for reflection on the thoughts of Justice Scalia. Reveals a man of many varied interests. An enjoyable book that can be picked up and put down that leaves one with uplifting thoughts. Good for quiet moments.

This book presents a clear and unbiased and uncluttered statement about the law, religion and politics. Agree or disagree or you will come away understanding why.

A very good book. Interesting to view a life through speeches. A patriot and a person that would rather be remembered for his faith and love of family. If you like politics, law or humor this book is for you.

This is an excellent book! I think it is a must read for everyone.

This is a a compilation of Justice Scalia's speeches as compiled by his son. When you read it you understand how deeply the Justice thought about the law and how much he was emotionally involved. Complaint, not much. His humor does not come out or at least not much.

Excellent book as expected. Before reading the book I was not looking forward to reading the foreword written by Ruth Bader Ginsberg, I was quite surprised as to how good it was.

Very insightful, I couldn't put it down. Very interesting to read how his humble upbringing played a role in the opinions he would write. Also impressed with the attention to detail and the importance in writing clear concise and understandable opinions.

Fantastic piece that gives us insights into this great man’s life and the philosophy it generated.

His wisdom, sorely missed on the bench, is memorialized here.

NICE PRODUCT, WORKS GREAT

Great series 👏

Fascinating insight into our former Chief Justice Antonin Scalia, a giant of a man.

It is great!

Excellent product

Scalia’s writing is engaging, full of humor, and charming. If you like reading his dissents, read this book of his speeches and writings. Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg loves Scalia. What a remarkable American mind.

His devotion to the original Constitution. His philosophy of life and his sense of humor. The idea of Knowledge, Wisdom and Character as the fundamental elements of a good life.

This was very interesting & insightful. I very much admire the man. A great loss to this country.

"Scalia Speaks" was interesting, brilliantly written, and revealed a man whom I would have loved to have known. Justice Scalia was a legal scholar. a man of giant intellect, and a great American. His passing was a great loss to all Americans.

Scalia speaks to all of America. Wonderfully clear and brilliant arguments against judges acting as lawmakers. It's too bad this book wasn't published while he was still alive. I have sent copies of this book to my children and siblings. A great man.

Commonsense straight talk from a Master.

Justice Scalia was a brilliant conservative scholar with the ability to speak and write clearly and succinctly. Should be required reading in every high school so that each generation has a true understanding of the Constitution and the role of the courts.

Excellent book on one of my favorite Supreme Court Justices!! I was thrilled to receive an autographed copy from an attorney friend. I will find this book useful for the legal briefs I write - and loved the humor in it, too.

Husband loves reading

The supremes lost-out when this judge passed away. Truly a brilliant, good and righteous man.

One of the greatest minds in the United States. His dry sense of humor is a delight. His insights and logic on law and faith are wonderfully refreshing.

Great Christmas gift for my husband!

One of the best books on constitutional applications that I have ever read. I can hear him as I read his words. A great man.

Haven't finished yet but so far so GREAT

Bought for hubby, and he loved it!

Excellent, well-written book. Enlightening and inspiring. To be reread and referenced.

Even if you do not agree with him, it is hard to not appreciate his wit.

A wonderful read. Justice Scalia is missed.

The history of a man, said Albert Einstein, is a history of what he has thought. Composed entirely of Scalia's speeches, this book allows a non lawyer to understand what Scalia thought. No higher praise is possible.

Scalia Speaks is beautifully written. Giving the reader a chance to "hear" the words of a true Lion of the Court, is a precious gift. No matter what your political leaning, the collection of speeches offers a rare peek inside the mind and heart of an incredible American whose unparalleled intellect and wit inspired a new generation of jurists and every day Americans, alike. In quintessential Scalia form, the speeches offer easily digestible insight into Justice Scalia's beliefs, and his love of this grand experiment we call the American Constitutional Republic. Each speech is expertly seasoned with lovely and personal stories that cover the span of his life, thus, making each one a "delicious" read, leaving the reader craving the next one. There is something for everyone with topics as varied as law, faith, family, heritage, history and more. In reading the book, I was able to understand more about the man beyond just the robe and bench. Highly recommend the book for all, no matter what your political persuasion. As Justice Ginsburg notes in her lovingly written forward to the book, "if [their] friendship encourages others to appreciate that some very good people have ideas with which we disagree, and that despite differences, people of goodwill can pull together for the well-being of. . . our country, I will be overjoyed." At a time when America seems so divided by ideological lines, this book reminds us that we are blessed to live in a country where the character and contributions of one of us transcends politics and that true affection for those with whom we disgree is possible because people are so much more then any particular point of view. One final thought, as a longtime admirer of Justice Scalia who always seemed so much larger than life and exceptional in every way, I was thrilled to learn that he was not, much like me, a gifted speller. One of the many relateable nuggets revealed about this remarkable man who helped shape American jurisprudence.

What can I say - his record says it all. Good book

Though it makes me sad that I (and countless others) never had the chance... and never will have the chance... to meet such a remarkable man.

I absolutely loved this book. I learned a lot about different theories of constitutional law.

Superb compendium of the wit and wisdom of this superb jurist. The range of his knowledge and its applicability in contemporary times is noteworthy and provides a fitting perspective to a life well lived.

Smile while reading

Insightful and clear. Truly reveals the man behind the robe. Loved the book.

Scalias writings are most always worthwhile reading.Enjoying very much.

He was a great writer, and the speeches reflect that; however, some of the speeches reflected in the book had duplicated sections of others.

GREAT BOOK

Great man. Wonderful bbok.

A simple treatise on writing what one means and meaning what one writes. If written words have no fixed or plain meaning, what is the point of writing at all?

Now I know why Justice Scalia was considered such an important part of the Supreme Court. This book clarified what is meant by ‘originalist’. He was neither conservative nor liberal. As a man of faith, I enjoyed reading about his understanding of the first amendment.

This was a delightful book to read. You may find yourself reading an entire section on one day and maybe only one speech the next day. It makes a special gift.

Wonderful read, and I love that the authors captured his wit and syle - and so many topics!

Judge Scalia's mind is beyond brilliant. His thoughts are creative and thought provoking. This book is not only worthwhile reading for anyone, it should be required reading for all attorneys and law students

A collection of speeches so we read it one speech at a time instead of straight through in one sitting. But powerful words from an amazing man

Gave as a gift. Recipient was very liberal but appreciated it.

wonderful views, identifies true person behind the public persona, in his own words, speeches from archives, editted by his son.

The book is almost a bio of Scalia, what I learned about his legal views and methods was almost what I wanted to know.

Reflections of the thoughtful genius of this Supreme Court justice.

Great man and very interesting insights into his mind.

Wonderful book. Remarkable balance of humor, philosophy, and scholarship. Very thought provoking overview of his judicial philosophy.

I love the way it was written and all the many subjects in the book. Excellent

Great reading

I have always respected Justice Scalia and thought of him as very faith filled, educated, honorable, honest and wise. I am only half way through this book and my opinion of Justice Scalia has even increased beyond my thoughts expressed in my first sentence. I plan to share my book with all my family and friends, and this book will never be sold off or given away, but will become part of my permanent library.

Great book.

He was a great jurist.

Enjoyable read of wit and wisdom.

Scalia thought deeply about so many subjects and expressed himself so well. His speeches no doubt influenced so many people.

Great job of describing Scalia!

I love this book. It has helped me gain a greater perspective on the constitution and the law

It's a great way to understand Scalia"s thinking.

Very interesting, good writing, sorry his tenure on the Court was cut short.

a good book about Justice Scalia

Very insightful covering a wide spectrum. I would highly recommend this book to everyone to read. Would be fantastic for students.

ok

I borrowed Scalia Speaks from the library. It took no time to become hooked on the words of this amazing man. I knew I had to have my own copy to underline, dog-ear and reread. I recommend buying three copies: one for yourself, one for a young person in your life, and one for someone who needs to be re-educated to recognize why the Constitution REALLY matters! Our society needs to hear to Scalia's words, not only on good governance, but on family, faith, values, everything that makes us free.

Inspiring, intellectual, witty. He was a giant among legal scholars. Must read for all to remind us of the importance of Constitutional integrity.

I like very good products.

Great book regardless of whether you are in the field of law. I am not, thankfully, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great thinker and funny too.

Great insight into an amazing mind. Must read, he was a great American

Good book.

Great book that gives a real insight to this profoundly smart and humorous gentleman.

Excellent, in Scalia's own words

so inspiring. as an attorney he is what I consider a mentor

great words from a great man

His speeches are a great textbook for American History

Brilliantly humorous and inspiring; depth with purpose and humility

Excellent work.

Best book for thoughtful people I've read it quite some time.

The wisdom contained in the speeches and writings of John Scalia are worth making mandatory reading for any high school student. I gifted a copy to both of my grown children for Christmas in the hope that they will read the book and pass it on to their children.

This shows another facet of the man, Intellect and a tremendous sense of humor. One of the lights on the court and he is missed.

Great reading, great man!

GREAT READ

Outstanding 🇺🇸

Wonderful insights into a great man

Great speeches and insight into a great man.

My husband enjoyed reading the book

Scalia was a great patriot. Good reference book. Many interesting facts

excellent

great

I just started reading this book, and I look forward to it. Justice Ginsburg writes the Forward. She and Scalia were greats friends, for which the great man gift of making. I'd advise anyone who cares about the law, and the virtues that we Americans believe in, to read this book.

Very good book , a lot of good quotes to go by . I would certainly recommend this to anyone

I like Antonin Scalia's way of speaking, thought organization, irrefutable logic and patriotism. There's nothing I did not like.

The information and insight into Scalia was terrific. Sometimes the technical side of the law got to be a little slow reading, but overall, I'd recommend it.

A must read for every citizen. Non-lawers can understand the legal concepts as a result of Scalia's clear language. Yet there is much more than legal concepts as Scalia addresses faith, citizenship and even turkey hunting so every reader will take away something.

An exceptional man. Great insight to his thinking.

Great read rather you're political or not. Scalia was just a fantastic writer.

I gave this to my husband for his birthday and he loved it.

Not done with it yet but so refreshing to read Scalia and enjoy his wit and wisdom!

Brilliant!!

Whether you agree with him or not you can't help but respect him. I love reading his speeches, I highly recommend to anyone.

This is a must read for everyone. Legal and nonlegal minds will thoroughly enjoy this book. Justice Scalia was a man of great wisdom and if you're like me and have read all of his famous dissents, this book provides material that you haven't read. From humerus stories to legal philosophy, to cultural values, this book covers it all. There wasn't a subject that Antonin Scalia didn't have a well formulated opinion on. Read this book cover to cover as you dive into the mind of the late Supreme Court Juggernaut.

Very well written and with just the right amount of humor!

Smithsonian artifact

Still working through this, a couple speeches at a time, but it is a good read, well-written (and presumably well spoken by Justice Scalia).

excellent

good

Great writing and lucid insights

This a great read. I highly recommend it to both lawyers and non-lawyers alike. The reflections are very insightful, often witty, and always thought provoking. Bravissimo !

What's not to like about Antonin Scalia's thinking ???? Great book.

Gift for avid reader. He enjoyed.

Great read

A man who spoke the truth! Most are afraid to speak the truth or don't want to because of money! God blessed us with Justice Scalia!

Only one-third of the way through, and pleased as punch to have this wonderful book. Scalia Speaks is a treasure and the words of a man who was indeed a brilliant and loving man of God. Have not been able to put it down since it arrived! Since his death February 13, 2016, I am convinced that there is a smile on both his face and God's - there usually is between friends!

I'm a big Justice Scalia fan ... and simply became more so reading this.

Thoughts from a brilliant guy!

A must read

given as a gift

Good language, some good ideas, some very individual views, in particular on religion and church

Pay attention and listen to his message, and I challenge you to find error in his assessments. The good do die young.

Regardless where you fall on the political or judicial spectrum, one must admit that Scalia had a way with words. He was not one to shy away from expressing his opinions, even if it was to the detriment of one party or the other. But, it is also known that he had a fantastically wicked sense of humor. This is a very good compendium of his speeches and is readable for anyone, full of Justice Scalia’s characteristic wisdom, clarity, and humor. There are a lot of great speeches on legal topics, all readily accessible to the non-lawyer. The speeches range on faith, character, tradition, ethnicity, education, turkey hunting, and even the games and sports that a young Nino played on the streets of Queens in the 1940s. One need only realize that Scalia and RGB were friends, to understand that, regardless of his decisions, he must at least have something interesting to say.

Great read!

He might have been a great guy, but what a terrible read.

Gave them as Christmas gifts and the guys that got them really like the gift.

Rather than a series of selections from Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s legal writings, this book offers excerpts from some of the many and varied public talks that he gave over the course of his professional and personal life. The result is a warm picture of a human being, not merely an eminent jurist. Yes, he was an advocate of originalism, took a dim view of the practice of attempting to infer the meaning of statutes from their legislative history, and thought it was healthy for justices to air their differences of opinion openly. But he also grew up in Queens when stick ball and other sports was in vogue, revered the military tradition of Xavier High School, and was a deeply patriotic American who understood the different cultures that melded together to produce the country that we have known. Among Scalia’s favorites in American history: George Washington for his character, Abraham Lincoln for his principled arguments, and William Howard Taft who considering becoming the Chief Justice a higher achievement than winning the presidency. Reading this book, one can understand why the Scalia family had no interest in having an autopsy conducted after the sudden and unexpected death of the leading conservative on the Supreme Court. They would have viewed such a request, I think, as showing an unbecoming lack of faith in divine providence.

This is an excellent book and one worth reading whether or not you are in the legal profession. In these speeches Justice Scalia covers a lot of ground, and only about a quarter of it is dedicated to legal principles (although he does use a lot of legal humor, but you don't need to be a lawyer to appreciate it). Justice Scalia spoke about things like his childhood sports, his faith, what values make a person good, and of course legal principles. Every speech is extremely eloquent and easy to read, to the extent that most of them read more like a conversation and less like a lecture. There is even a good amount of humor (the humor the justice was known for), but not enough to take away from the larger points he makes. Perhaps the best part is envisioning Scalia delivering these speeches himself: the inflections, hand motions, and his mild New York accent. This book should belong on the bookshelves of every serious writer and reader, even if they disagree with the principles Scalia espouses in a few of his speeches. The way he spoke -- and more importantly, the way he wrote -- will help writers and readers across the spectrum sharpen their minds.

Scalia Speaks is collection of the late justice’s speeches to law schools, commencement exercises, and so on. Naturally, his speeches reflect his judicial philosophy. Scalia was known as a conservative judge. As much as he might assert otherwise, from his frequent references to his formative years, his traditional Catholic upbringing and parochial education clearly influenced his judicial viewpoint. Conservatives reading Scalia’s book conservatives will find arguments with which they readily agree. Scalia harps again and again on respecting original meaning (which, according to Scalia, differs from original intent) of the constitution. The constitution, to Scalia, is not a living document. It is not a moving target subject to judicial whim. To an extent, he has a point. The constitution is specific and unchanging about some things (e.g. length of terms in office) why not other issues? But hewing to original meaning, means saying no to same-sex marriage and abortion but saying yes to non-denominational prayer at public school graduations and other public events. Scalia goes even further with original intent. For him, there is no “original intent” in independent agencies such as the FCC, SEC, and so on. According to the constitution, there are only three branches. There is no constitutional authority to have government agencies (the executive branch) have authority independent of the President. The President is the most powerful person on earth. But give him control of the FCC, the SEC and other agencies, you have a president with nearly unlimited powers. The constitution should bend, at least some, with the times. Also, as a conservative, Scalia also rallies against citing legal authorities of other democratic countries, even with regards to executing juveniles and the mentally disabled or legislative intent. While Scalia is unapologetic in his conservative view, liberals should still listen to what he has to say. Some of his observations are quite keen. One of my favorites was that no political movements have gathered under banners which read “let’s hear both sides” or “Let’s be fair.” The Founding Fathers who wrote the constitution argued strongly on many issues. If they were alive today, they would argue and differ about today’s issues. Some would be “liberal” and some would be “conservative”. Many, if not most of the Founding Fathers, like Washington and Franklin were freemasons. Freemasonry is is a non-political, non-religious organization that stresses moral rectitude. But even if a Founding Father was not a mason, he valued his personal reputation. In colonial times a duel could fought over one’s honor. Surely, even Scalia would not sanction dueling, even if though. when the constitution was writen, dueling was an accepted part of society. The constitiution neeeds to bend, at least some, with times. Scalia rightly argues that moral education, the development of a man (or woman’s) character, is not part of the modern educational curriculum. Most would agree that, honor and good character (aka moral rectitude) are often missing in modern politics. Scalia scores another point on that issue.

The book is good, and has excellent content. The audio book is read in a monotone voice without the proper inflections, and not only is the audio version way overpriced, it is just not at all enjoyable to listen to. If you guys are going to put out any more of these types of books, please get somebody better to read them!

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was an extraordinary and influential man well known for his conservatism, discipline, strong opinions and hard working nature. He also had a deep faith, a gift passed on to his nine children. On a more personal note, his son, Paul was a much admired priest at my local parish, most recently appointed vicar for clergy by Arlington’s bishop. This book is a compilation of Scalia’s speeches covering a variety of topics. They are entertaining, profound and at times deeply personal. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this legendary man who put God, family, civility and the Constitution at the forefront. His insight, stories and tributes are truly inspirational and delightful to read.

This is a wonderful assemblage of the thoughts of one of this countries most accomplished and respected jurists. I am not a lawyer, yet his thoughts are clear to me. What is interesting to me is, even though I suppose I agree with most of his thinking, he can be close to people who do not. Ruth bader Ginsburg probably disagrees with most of his views yet respects him enough to write an introduction. I hope I can become as agreeable to people with whom I disagree. He presents a great lesson i respecting and being respected.

This was interesting read inside the personal and legal mind of a U.S. Supreme Court Justice through some of his public speaking engagements. I found the legal discussions most informative in his explanation of the difference between the dynamic living document approach versus the static originalist approach to constitutional interpretation. It was also enlightening to learn about the use of misuse of legislative history in the courts decisions. It was difficult to understand why some the speeches were included in this collection.

A brilliant book about a brilliant man. By reading this, lawyers and laity alike will improve their understanding of the origin and application of the laws. His defense of the maintenance of the original meaning of the Constitution meets my highest approval. Scalia was a Catholic, and his claim to base moral precepts on religion is not surprising, However, it is provably wrong, as it can be shown that no information can derive from any statement involving a god. Overall, highest recommendation.

I read a lot of books. This book is one that caused me to think more than most. Justice Scalia was an annomoly to me while he was serving. To read his speeches is illuminating. Some are down right hilarious; no wonder he won over Ruth Bader Ginsberg as a close friend. One citation I will never forget are Justice Scalia's father's words to him: "Brains, like muscle, can be hired by the hour; Character can never be bought." The way you think your way through his writings will challenge you to see the difference between an open mind and a stubborn belief superiority.

Justice Scalia was a devoted family man, devout Catholic, witty speaker and writer, and brilliant jurist. All of these come through in this anthology of his speeches from his days on the Supreme Court. Easily read one speech at a time, the reader will get a much more thorough picture of the man and his brilliance in reading this window into the person. A must read, and one that goes in my favorites pile.

Great book and Justice Scalia's intelligence and humor come through loud a clear. My only criticism would be in repetition. Since the books recounts speeches and many of them covered overlapping topics these is some repetition. But overall this is a great book.

This collection of Justice Scalia’s speeches jolts the mind to attention by its freshness even as it challenges the heart by its cogent declarations. It stands apart by its liveliness, revealing a soul thankful to have been granted to drink deeply the fruits of American liberty and to practice extolling the principles of this nation with an evident respect for the hand of Providence that underlies its history. I highly recommend this book.

I find the book both entertaining and illuminating. Justice Scalia was an important voice for the U.S. Constitution. He was a key proponentt of landmark legal decisions that helped protect the rights of Americans. His arguments were clear, logical, and based on Americas founding principles.

A wonderful insight into the great Scalia. I have read many of his court opinions but this book opened up to show more of his personality and relationships in addition to his philosophies. At a time when so many Americans can't find a way to speak respectfully to one another, Scalia reminds us that there is more to a good life than our opinions and we can be good to one another while discussing our differencies. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Particularly informative to this non-lawyer on Scalia’s view(s) / argument(s) regarding constitutional interpretation. In terms of contemporary discourse, Scalia’s points brought to mind the first letter in C.S. Lewis’s “The Screwtape Letters”.

Good presentation

Entertaining, informative and reminds us why we will continue to miss him.

I was surprised to learn that Scalia wasn’t a “conservative justice” as he is often portrayed. The book was a joy to read as it is rich in wisdom. I highly recommend it!