Judges on Judging
Views from the Bench
- David M. O'Brien - University of Virginia, USA
Thoroughly revised and updated for this Fifth Edition, Judges on Judging offers insights into the judicial philosophies and political views of those on the bench. Broad in scope, this one-of-a-kind book features “off-the-bench” writings and speeches in which Supreme Court justices, as well as lower federal and state court judges, discuss the judicial process, constitutional interpretation, judicial federalism, and the role of the judiciary. Engaging introductory material provides students with necessary thematic and historical context making this book the perfect supplement to present a nuanced view of the judiciary.
“Judges on Judging is consistently rated by my students as their favorite book in my class. No other single volume provides them with such a clear and accessible sense of what judges do, what courts do, and the way judges think about their roles and their courts.”
—Douglas Edlin, Dickinson College
“I’ve been using O’Brien's edited collection in my upper-division course on the U.S. Supreme Court since its first edition. As a supplement to a variety of other, more scholarly and journalist readings, O’Brien's collection gives a compelling voice to the justices. Students welcome (and appreciate) the opportunity to directly explore the thinking and perspective of the nation's leading jurists on virtually all the topics covered in the course, and the collection provides a productive foil to contemporary scholarship."
“Of the books I use in the Judicial Process course, my students consistently rate Judges on Judging as their favorite and most interesting. The articles delve deeply into the Court's role in a constitutional republic and frequently lead to active student classroom debate. I’ve used O’Brien’s text for over a decade, and my students consistently come away with knowledge of the judiciary and its role in the American political system that is more sophisticated and nuanced.”
“Judges on Judging is a comprehensive collection of essays with significant insights into the views of leading justices and judges on the judicial process, the dynamics of judicial interpretation, deliberation and decision-making, and the role of courts. O’Brien’s text offers students an extraordinary inside look at justices’ and judges’ thinking, their characters, judicial philosophies, and views of the judiciary in society. It is a practical and accessible resource for anyone interested in law and courts.”
“Judges on Judging is consistently rated by my students as their favorite book in my class. No other single volume provides them with such a clear and accessible sense of what judges do, what courts do, and the way judges think about their roles and their courts.”
