Tenth Justice-V955

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

343 pages, Paperback

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.