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The Supreme Court books
A Matter of Interpretation Justice Antonin Scalia's 1997 Tanner Lectures, defending textualism and originalism, with responses by four scholars. A Republic, If You Can Keep It Justice Neil Gorsuch's 2019 reflections on the Constitution, the judge's role and civic virtue, with stories from his career. Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States Justice Joseph Story's 1833 three-volume treatise, the first comprehensive commentary on the Constitution, defending a strong national government. Commentaries on the Laws of England William Blackstone's four-volume survey of English law, 1765 to 1769, the textbook through which common-law ideas reached the American founders. Miracle at Philadelphia Catherine Drinker Bowen's 1966 narrative of the Constitutional Convention, a classic account of how the framers hammered out the compromises. My Grandfather's Son Justice Clarence Thomas's 2007 memoir of his rise from Pin Point, Georgia, to the Supreme Court, and of his confirmation battle. Reading Law Antonin Scalia and Bryan Garner's 2012 treatise on interpretation, setting out fifty-seven canons for reading statutes and contracts. Restoring the Lost Constitution Randy Barnett's 2004 argument that courts should presume liberty and hold government to its enumerated powers and the original meaning. Slouching Towards Gomorrah Robert Bork's 1996 pessimistic account of how radical individualism and egalitarianism have corroded American culture and law. Takings Richard Epstein's 1985 argument that the Takings Clause bars regulation that reduces property value without compensation. The Federalist The 85 essays by Hamilton, Madison and Jay, written in 1787 and 1788 to win ratification of the Constitution, and still its best commentary. The Tempting of America Robert Bork's 1990 critique of judicial activism and defense of original understanding, written after his rejected Supreme Court nomination.