First Principles The Jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas [Hardcover]

Clarence Thomas is one of the most vilified public figures of our day. To date, however, his legal philosophy has received only cursory treatment.First Principlesprovides a portrait of Thomas based not on the justice's caricatured reputation, but on his judicial opinions and votes, his scholarly writings, and his public speeches.

The paperback edition includes a provocative new Afterword by the author bringing the book up to date by assessing Justice Thomas's performance, and the reaction to his decisions, during the last five years.

"...the most comprehensive and incisive account of Thomas' political philosophy to date."

-First Things

I Politics

1 Judging Thomas

2 The “Natural Law Thing”

II Law

3 Civil Rights

4 Civil Liberties

5 Federalism

III Law and Politics

6 Conclusion

"Gerber's book is a breath of fresh air, because it treats Justice Thomas and his work with respect and intellectual curiosity."

-Ideas on Liberty ...An excellent and balanced review of the justice's first years on the Court. (National Review) The paperback edition includes a provocative new Afterword by the author bringing the book up to date by assessing Justice Thomas's performance, and the reaction to his decisions, during the last five years.

"Gerber is scrupulously honest in dissecting Thomas' opinions, their legal background, and their place in the Court's jurisprudence, and he demonstrates his own excellent capabilities as an objective, fair, thoughtful, and thorough scholar."

-The Federal Lawyer

"The virture of Scott Gerber's new study ... is that it puts in better perspective Thomas's whole career."

-The Weekly Standard

"...An excellent and balanced review of the justice's first years on the Court."

-National Review