What do you think?
Rate this book
Going Further: The Incomparable Clarence Thomas
INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From Senator Ted Cruz, a timely, authoritative exploration of Clarence Thomas’s life, ideas, and lasting impact on constitutional law
For over three decades, Clarence Thomas has stood at the center of American law, enduring withering criticism and personal attacks while writing some of the most brilliant, accessible, transformational opinions in the Supreme Court’s history. His insistence that the Constitution, not merely judicial precedent, is the highest authority has reshaped American jurisprudence, and his lasting impact on the trajectory of constitutional law is undeniable.
In this powerful and timely book, Senator Ted Cruz draws on his own Supreme Court clerkship, on his many years as a Supreme Court advocate, and on his now decades-long friendship with Justice Thomas to paint a portrait of one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—Americans in our nation’s history. Drawing on nine hours of exclusive, wide-ranging, and deeply personal one-on-one interviews with the Justice, Cruz reveals how Thomas’s most formative early experiences—like growing up in crushing poverty in segregated Georgia, his early encounters with extreme racism, and his brief stint in radical left-wing politics—forged a lifelong commitment to independence, self-reliance, and truth.
From Thomas's early years studying to be a priest to his role today as the intellectual force behind some of the Court’s most significant decisions, Going Further traces the formation of one of our Constitution’s staunchest defenders and makes a rousing argument about why his life, his ideas, and his courage matter now more than ever.
From Senator Ted Cruz, a timely, authoritative exploration of Clarence Thomas’s life, ideas, and lasting impact on constitutional law
For over three decades, Clarence Thomas has stood at the center of American law, enduring withering criticism and personal attacks while writing some of the most brilliant, accessible, transformational opinions in the Supreme Court’s history. His insistence that the Constitution, not merely judicial precedent, is the highest authority has reshaped American jurisprudence, and his lasting impact on the trajectory of constitutional law is undeniable.
In this powerful and timely book, Senator Ted Cruz draws on his own Supreme Court clerkship, on his many years as a Supreme Court advocate, and on his now decades-long friendship with Justice Thomas to paint a portrait of one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—Americans in our nation’s history. Drawing on nine hours of exclusive, wide-ranging, and deeply personal one-on-one interviews with the Justice, Cruz reveals how Thomas’s most formative early experiences—like growing up in crushing poverty in segregated Georgia, his early encounters with extreme racism, and his brief stint in radical left-wing politics—forged a lifelong commitment to independence, self-reliance, and truth.
From Thomas's early years studying to be a priest to his role today as the intellectual force behind some of the Court’s most significant decisions, Going Further traces the formation of one of our Constitution’s staunchest defenders and makes a rousing argument about why his life, his ideas, and his courage matter now more than ever.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Ted Cruz
17 books141 followersThroughout his life, Ted Cruz has proven to be a passionate and effective fighter for limited government, economic growth, and the Constitution.
Ted’s calling to public service has been inspired by his firsthand observation of the pursuit of freedom and opportunity in America. Ted’s mother, Eleanor, was born in Delaware to an Irish and Italian working-class family. She became the first in her family to go to college, graduated from Rice University with a degree in mathematics, and became a pioneering computer programmer in the 1950s.
After being tortured and imprisoned in Cuba, Ted’s father, Rafael, fled to the United States to attend the University of Texas at Austin in 1957. He then started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Today, Ted’s father is a pastor in Dallas.
Growing up, his father would often say to him:
“When we faced oppression in Cuba, I had a place to flee to. If we lose our freedom here, where do we go?”
Ted has been a tireless fighter for liberty because his family knows what it is like to lose it.
As Solicitor General for the State of Texas and in private practice, Ted authored more than 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also won an unprecedented series of landmark national victories that include his defense of U.S. sovereignty against the UN and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas, our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol, and the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In the U.S. Senate, Ted has led the fight to repeal Obamacare, to secure the border, and to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. He has also led the fight to defend life, marriage, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and our entire Bill of Rights. And most importantly, he’s kept his promise to speak the truth and do what he said he’d do.
Ted has proven to be the exact type of courageous conservative we need in the U.S. Senate to restore economic growth, defend our Constitution, and protect the values we all hold dear.
Ted, his wife Heidi, their two daughters Caroline and Catherine, and his entire family have been blessed to live the American Dream — the idea that anyone, through hard work and determination, can achieve anything. And he is committed to ensuring every family has that same opportunity.
Ted’s calling to public service has been inspired by his firsthand observation of the pursuit of freedom and opportunity in America. Ted’s mother, Eleanor, was born in Delaware to an Irish and Italian working-class family. She became the first in her family to go to college, graduated from Rice University with a degree in mathematics, and became a pioneering computer programmer in the 1950s.
After being tortured and imprisoned in Cuba, Ted’s father, Rafael, fled to the United States to attend the University of Texas at Austin in 1957. He then started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Today, Ted’s father is a pastor in Dallas.
Growing up, his father would often say to him:
“When we faced oppression in Cuba, I had a place to flee to. If we lose our freedom here, where do we go?”
Ted has been a tireless fighter for liberty because his family knows what it is like to lose it.
As Solicitor General for the State of Texas and in private practice, Ted authored more than 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also won an unprecedented series of landmark national victories that include his defense of U.S. sovereignty against the UN and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas, our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol, and the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In the U.S. Senate, Ted has led the fight to repeal Obamacare, to secure the border, and to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. He has also led the fight to defend life, marriage, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and our entire Bill of Rights. And most importantly, he’s kept his promise to speak the truth and do what he said he’d do.
Ted has proven to be the exact type of courageous conservative we need in the U.S. Senate to restore economic growth, defend our Constitution, and protect the values we all hold dear.
Ted, his wife Heidi, their two daughters Caroline and Catherine, and his entire family have been blessed to live the American Dream — the idea that anyone, through hard work and determination, can achieve anything. And he is committed to ensuring every family has that same opportunity.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 23, 2026
This book was better than I thought it would be! Any look at Clarence Thomas is worth a try, but Cruz is a deeper and fairer writer than I suspected. (I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given his background in the law.)
Senator Cruz interviewed the justice extensively, and Thomas' personality shines through often. He sincerely seems like a wonderful man, to say nothing of his judicial prowess. Of course, if he were favored by the Establishment, he'd have monuments and paeans (and t-shirts) galore. Oh well--his legacy is more long-lasting. It is founded on truth and on man's God-given rights.
Clarence Thomas's motto is something--if something doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense. No need to beat around the bush or put a square peg in a round hole or any other overly trafficked idiom that you want to use!
I have no idea if Thomas' brand of originalist views (especially relating to the 14th amendment) will ever command a majority. But they are shaping and influencing the other justices in myriad ways nonetheless. For that we and posterity ought to give thanks.
Senator Cruz interviewed the justice extensively, and Thomas' personality shines through often. He sincerely seems like a wonderful man, to say nothing of his judicial prowess. Of course, if he were favored by the Establishment, he'd have monuments and paeans (and t-shirts) galore. Oh well--his legacy is more long-lasting. It is founded on truth and on man's God-given rights.
Clarence Thomas's motto is something--if something doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense. No need to beat around the bush or put a square peg in a round hole or any other overly trafficked idiom that you want to use!
I have no idea if Thomas' brand of originalist views (especially relating to the 14th amendment) will ever command a majority. But they are shaping and influencing the other justices in myriad ways nonetheless. For that we and posterity ought to give thanks.
September 6, 2026
This was an excellent book and I truly enjoyed reading it! I struggled a bit with the sections about specificities about the law but then again I’m not a lawyer. :) I enjoyed Senator Cruz’s writing style and learning even more about Justice Thomas and his dedication to the law of the United States. He truly is a man of few words but a very well educated and well read man!
September 21, 2026
I enjoyed this book. Well written and informative, about Justice Thomas and the Supreme Court. No matter one’s political beliefs this book causes the reader to think and yes, be inspired.
September 4, 2026
Excellent, informative, and relevant to today! A fascinating story of Justice Clarence Thomas from his youth to the present day. He is a remarkable man who stands by his beliefs, methodological approach to court cases, and alignment with the Constitution. Unfortunately, because of the times we live in, he is scrutinized and attacked for his conservative approach. Each of God's creatures is uniquely made and allowed to make this world a better place despite human criticism. As I read this book, I was inspired by the resemblance to Paul in the Bible and how Justice Thomas's persistence, perseverance, and unwavering approach to life continue to lay the building blocks of our great nation. I pray that people read this book not to find fault, but to learn more about the resilience of the American people!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews