Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936 to 1986

I’ve read several books by or about Antonin Scalia, whom I admire. This is by far the best biographical work on the late justice so far, and is likely to be definitive. I can’t wait for volume two!Author James Rosen understands and respects the overwhelming influence of Scalia’s Catholic faith on his life and career, in a way that other writers have either failed to acknowledge or look upon with suspicion.I’m a generation younger than the late justice, but as an Irish guy from Queens who also went to Catholic schools, Rosen “gets” that outer borough ethnic and parochial milieu in a way few outsiders have captured with accuracy and sympathy.Among the most interesting things in the book, to me, are the close examinations of Scalia as an associate at the Jones Day law firm, as a professor, and especially as a political appointee in the Ford administration.I had no idea how closely Scalia was involved in efforts regarding oversight and reform of the Intelligence Community when he was an assistant attorney general in the mid-1970s. This put into better context for me some of Scalia’s opinions on national security law matters.Finally, I only encountered the justice twice: once when he gave a talk on the Constitution at my college, and again at a moot court tournament he judged at my law school. But in my view, Rosen captures the powerful impression the great man’s generosity, intellect and personality made on those who met him, including young students like me who came to revere him.Be sure to read this book, and be on the lookout for its conclusion. I enjoyed Rosen’s books about William Buckley, Dick Cheney, and John Mitchell as well.

Ontriguing insight well referenced and detailed analysis on Justice Scalia's life part 1 written up to his appointment to Supreme Court.... focuses on conviction ed learned throughout his childhood and young man years.Indeed! A very good book.

It was detailed account of the important aspects of Justice Scalia's life that lead him to the pinnacle of his profession! Not to legalistic for a non attorney to understand! I am looking forward to the next book which covers Scalia's years on the Supreme Court.

This is about Scalia's life before he was appointed to the Supreme Court. James Rosen is writing Volume 2, about after his Supreme Court appointment. Fascinating man, and great writer.

This book gave me a better understanding about Justice Scania. I learned more about the political rivalry in Congress and the courts.

Tremendously well written and researched. Looking forward to Volume 2

As someone who knew, worked with, and appeared before Nino during his time at OTP, the Administrative Conference and the Court of Appeals, I was struck by how well and accurately Rosen captured the essence of this larger-than-life great American. Nino was a brilliant lawyer who, as he put it, liked to attack ideas, not people. And with it all his sense of humor made him a delight to know.

Superbly researched and exquisitely written, Mr. Rosen had tapped previously unavailable sources to help bring Justice Scalia to us in rich detail. He has set the standard for biography with this effort. Volume 2 cannot get here soon enough.