Name: A Matter of Interpretation
ISBN: 9780691004006

Amy Gutmann

Antonin Scalia

In a witty and trenchant essay, Justice Scalia urges judges to resist the temptation to use legislative intention and legislative history, admonishing them instead to focus on the text of the case itself. Includes responses by Gordon Wood, Laurence Tribe, Ronald Dworkin, and Mary Ann Glendon.

Federal Courts and the Law : an Essay

A Matter of Interpretation

Trevor Berrett

I'm not giving this book four stars because I agree with all of what Scalia says, even though I think his methodology is sound. I am giving it four stars because this book is a clear discussion on methods of interpreting the constitution. You get to read Scalia's argument about "the best" method to use to interprest the Constitution and statutes--it's his method, of course. But then you also get several rebuttals from other experts, who try to show the problems with Scalia's methodology. Then, at the end of the book, Scalia comes back for the final word and rebuts the arguments against him. Consequently, readers get a good look at how one of the most influential Supreme Court Justices works.

A Matter of Interpretation Federal Courts and the Law : an Essay