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Summary: A masterpiece by a great Jurist and philosopher
Comment: One of the ironies of American Constitutional history is that many of our greatest jurists have never had the opportunity to sit on our highest court. One thinks of such obvious examples as Learned Hand, John Johnston Parker,Arthur Vanderbilt, Roger Traynor, and John Minor Wisdom. John T,. Noonan, currently a senior judge with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, clearly deserves to be ranked in this select company( as does his philosophical antipode, Richard Posner of The seventh circuit). This book, remarkably lucid, remarkably learned and remarkably humane, constitutes the culmination of Noonans historical, legal and philosophical reflection.Other reviewers have already indicated the riches of this fine books contents. I will only note that I learned something new, or encountered a fresh and startling argument, on almost every page. Noonan has thought deeply about democracty and human freedom, not only in America, but in other countries as well. The chapters on France, Japan, and Russia show an understanding of the cultural political, and religous life of those nations which borders on the extraordinary. The chapter on Tocqueville( told through the literary device of an imaginary account of America written by Tocquevilles equallly imaginary sister, Angelique,) is quite brilliant, and opens up new perpectives on Tocqueville. All in all, a great book. One hopes for more from Judge Noonans learned and humane pen.It is truly amazing that mediocrites such as Breyer, Kennedy, Ginsburg and Souter sit on the court, while this deeply patriotic and brilliant man has to preside over the often humdrum cases of the ninth circuit.
Customer Rating:
Summary: High points for historical accuracy
Comment: You'd expect this book to be either a paen to conservative values, or a completely dry legalistic review. It's neither, which is really wonderful. The first chapter suffers from bouts of overdetail, but once you get past that, the book blossoms into a very interesting pastiche of historical facts and musings reported in an unconventional array of styles that really hold your attention. Besides, where else would you read about the treatment of Jews in the Massachussetts Bay Colony?? A highly original read.
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Summary: deTocqueville's sister
Comment: Have not read the book, but have read the NYTimes review and the "Kirkus" review. In your comments, mention is made that deTocqueville's "fictional" sister is one of the commentators in this book. How interesting that in the Kirkus review, they state that this ghostly lady ("keen-eyed and interested in religion) toured the U.S. in the 30's. How did she do that?
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