So Ordered

Justice Samuel A. Alito elaborates on his judicial philosophy and reflects on the roles of the law, the Constitution, and the courts in preserving America's spirit of liberty

Samuel A. Alito has quietly become one of the most influential Supreme Court justices in recent history. In this surprisingly personal book, he vigorously defends his "originalist" approach to the Constitution, identifies the threats to our liberties, and reflects on faith, the nature of law, and American culture.

Twenty years on the high court have given Justice Alito a unique perspective on the country's fiercest legal and constitutional battles. As America's culture wars unfolded, one side harnessed the power of the judiciary to impose its agenda, abetted by judges scornful of constitutional constraints and untroubled by doubts about their own infallibility. The response was a legal movement devoted to originalism and textualism, which found its most effective champion in Justice Alito.

The battles, of course, are far from over. Free speech and religion, in particular, are frequently under fire. Justice Alito offers a compelling vision of the courts' role in defending these and other fundamental liberties.

In So Ordered, one of our greatest jurists celebrates the complexity and brilliance of the American Constitution.