Scalia and Garner teaming up
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is teaming up with legal writing expert Bryan Garner to write a book on "the art of persuading judges." I own the excellent Garner's Modern American Usage (based on David Foster Wallace's rave review), and have admired the prose (but usually not the arguments) of Scalia's decisions -- so although I have no professional need for this book, I still think it will be an interesting read.
<<< Secret underground temple outed UN deems taser use "a form of torture" >>>
They have divided the writing equally, Garner says, adding that with all the changes and rewriting, "we can't tell anymore which of us wrote which sentence."
How can I possibly respect myself if I buy the new Scalia book, but how can I possibly resist buying the new Garner book? Ugh. Now I know how Jean Valjean felt when he sang "Who Am I?"
Really, Josh? That seems extreme.
Get it from the library!
Good point about the library. Unfortunately, they don't approve of my margin notes in their books, a habit that's especially present in my copies of Garner's books.
Geoff, I agree that my words here may be extreme, but I've found that ever since Scalia displayed his selective federalism in Raich (as opposed to his take on Wickard) I can have only the most visceral reaction when his name comes up.
Browsing through the comments, I must say that the price tag on the book is quite small compared to the wealth of information and knowledge that is within. I just got the book and I have used it on several occassions in formulating both legal and common-day arguments. I don't think that the book is geared toward the legal mind solely and I think if you like GMAU, you will love this book. Scalia and Garner are co-hosting a CLE program for the day on July 25 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. I think it will be fascinating to see both of them in action and working off each other's energy.
Buy the book, it is worth it.
Post new comment