{"product_id":"reading-the-constitution-why-i-chose-pragmatism-not-textualism","title":"Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism","description":"New York Times Bestseller\n\nIn a provocative and brilliant analysis, retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer deconstructs the textualist philosophy of the current Supreme Court’s supermajority and makes the case for a more pragmatic approach of the Constitution.\n\n“You will not read a more important legal work this election year.” —Bob Woodward, Washington Post reporter and author of fifteen #1 New York Times bestselling books\n\n“A dissent for the ages.” —The Washington Post\n\n“Breyer’s candor about the state of the court is refreshing and much needed.” —The Boston Globe\n\nThe relatively new judicial philosophy of textualism dominates the Supreme Court. Textualists claim that the right way to interpret the Constitution and statutes is to read the text carefully and examine the language as it was understood at the time the documents were written.\n\nThis, however, is not Justice Breyer’s philosophy nor has it been the traditional way to interpret the Constitution since the time of Chief Justice John Marshall. Justice Breyer recalls Marshall’s exhortation that the Constitution must be a workable set of principles to be interpreted by subsequent generations.\n\nMost important in interpreting law, says Breyer, is to understand the statutes as well as the consequences of deciding a case one way or another. He illustrates these principles by examining some of the most important Supreme Court cases in the nation’s history, among them the Dobbs and Bruen decisions from 2022 that he argues were wrongly decided and have led to harmful results.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 1668021536\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: BVV.1668021536.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Breyer, Stephen\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact  including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Blue Vase Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43314577539133,"sku":"BVV.1668021536.G","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/4225\/9261\/files\/1668021536-0.jpg?v=1782939889","url":"https:\/\/www.bluevasebooks.com\/products\/reading-the-constitution-why-i-chose-pragmatism-not-textualism","provider":"Blue Vase Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}