The Tenth Justice: The Solicitor General and the Rule of Law

by Lincoln Caplan

Discusses the responsibilities of the U.S. Solicitor General, and argues that the Reagan administration has attempted to use the position to further partisan goals

Genres: Law

340 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and interesting history about the Solicitor General.

The book starts out as a generic overview of the Solicitor General's office, with various stories and anecdotes of the office and its caretakers through the years. But it then transitions into a heavy critique of office during the Reagan administration, and particularly under Charles Fried. Some of the criticisms feel a bit dated, particularly given how various legal philosophies have evolved and how certain ideas have come into and out of vogue. But it's still refreshing to read a detailed, well-developed critique of overly partisan advocacy the SG's office with cogent arguments about why a certain level of neutrality--or at least a focus on justice and "correct" legal answers, rather than strict partisan hackery, even within the confines of a department subject to the DOJ and Presidential oversight--is important, valuable, and even necessary. Given the current state of play, it feels even more urgent.

[The Amazing Jill]

So far, so AWESOME. =O

[Will · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected a historical survey of the position and role of the Solicitor General. Instead, I got a Reagan-BAD hit piece... because, y'know, history began in 1970.