Despite decades of conservative complaints about judicial activism, the Supreme Court continues to defend constitutional liberty. In a thoughtful and engaging analysis of Justice Kennedy's libertarian constitutional vision, Helen Knowles explains why the tie still goes to freedom.
Helen Knowles has done us a great service in deconstructing Justice Kennedy's faint-hearted libertarianism and helping us better understand the "sweet mystery" of his jurisprudence.
Harvard Journal Of Law and Public Policy - Ilya Shapiro
If one does not have preconceived notions regarding Kennedy, it is hard not to admire him after reading this book. The cases Knowles selects cast Kennedy, who often acts as a swing vote, in a golden light— as a passionate fighter for individual rights, equality, and tolerance. Kennedy's supporters and critics will find the analysis of the justice's jurisprudence provoking; the book, however, has much more to offer than a simple review of case law.... The Ties Goes to Freedom will appeal to readers for these and other intriguing issues that lurk just beneath the surface of Knowles's analysis.
Knowles presents an impressive discussion of several cases. Another strength of this work is Knowles' ability to buttress her arguments between and among chapters... forming clear connections throughout the book. Knowles' work packs a punch and could be considered required reading for any number of undergraduate and graduate courses. This book is one of the more interesting and well written books that I have read in recent years.
Journal of Law & Politics - Tobias Gibson
Justice Kennedy's jurisprudence is of obvious significance and Helen Knowles has done an exceptional amount of research on that jurisprudence. The result is a series of fascinating insights on the most central and centrist thinker on the contemporary Supreme Court. This is the first place to look for hints about how the Supreme Court may respond to a new administration.
.... [offers] an insightful and careful analysis of [Kennedy's] opinions in important areas of constitutional law. Moreover, in her analysis of those opinions, she does uncover some themes that help explain Kennedy's outcomes. And because Kennedy does, in fact, remain the "man in the middle," it is essential for those of us who care about constitutional law to understand his thinking, whatever it might be.
Everyone who seeks to understand today's Supreme Court—Anthony Kennedy's Supreme Court—will profit from reading Helen Knowles's sympathetic but not uncritical discussion of Justice Kennedy's 'modest libertarianism,' and especially her treatment of Justice Kennedy's concern that liberty be exercised responsibly.
Helen Knowles has done us a great service in deconstructing Justice Kennedy's faint-hearted libertarianism and helping us better understand the "sweet mystery" of his jurisprudence.
Harvard Journal Of Law and Public Policy
Knowles presents an impressive discussion of several cases. Another strength of this work is Knowles' ability to buttress her arguments between and among chapters... forming clear connections throughout the book. Knowles' work packs a punch and could be considered required reading for any number of undergraduate and graduate courses. This book is one of the more interesting and well written books that I have read in recent years.
Law and Politics Book Review
.... [offers] an insightful and careful analysis of [Kennedy's] opinions in important areas of constitutional law. Moreover, in her analysis of those opinions, she does uncover some themes that help explain Kennedy's outcomes. And because Kennedy does, in fact, remain the "man in the middle," it is essential for those of us who care about constitutional law to understand his thinking, whatever it might be.
Political Science Quarterly
While billions of dollars have gone toward researching treatments, and ultimately a cure, for breast cancer, very little has gone toward studying preventative action, except on the personal level (diet, exercise, etc.). This eye-opening book from health and sociology scholar McCormick explores numerous environmental causes of breast cancer, but more importantly casts a harsh light on the motivations of industries that donate to cancer research while manufacturing carcinogenic toxins. The narrative takes a tour of research data and advocacy groups while following the progress of one Long Island woman undergoing breast cancer treatment. McCormick's text is full of disturbing details, in the form of statistics and individual obstacles; there are thousands of breast cancer diagnoses every year, many for women who take good care of themselves and don't engage in risk behaviors. McCormick also addresses the inevitable question, "Why me?", with a compelling and strident determinism, attempting to jog readers into realizing that giving money and buying products with pink ribbons isn't enough; rather, people must become aware of the chemicals around them and hold corporations accountable with their spending dollars.
Knowles (political science, SUNY-Oswego) has written a philosophical treatment of Justice Kennedy's tenure (so far) on the Supreme Court. When Kennedy was appointed in 1987, he was hailed and criticized as a strong conservative. Over time, he has become controversial as a moderate voice and is now considered to be a pivotal vote on the Court. The author weaves a discussion of Kennedy's background as a law student and classroom teacher with an examination of how this has influenced his judicial philosophy. The beginning of the book examines his judicial thought in the context of libertarian thought. However, Knowles does not call the justice a libertarian. Instead, she uses libertarian philosophy to show that Kennedy is a believer in small government and individual liberty. Each chapter looks at Kennedy's views on issues such as affirmative action, civil rights, and free speech by discussing the level of judicial scrutiny applied to them. This is an extensive, thought-provoking look at judicial decision making that tackles complex issues. Recommended for law and academic libraries.
