Scalia Speaks

Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived

By: Antonin Scalia, Christopher J. Scalia - editor, Edward Whelan - editor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg - introduction

Narrated by: Christopher J. Scalia

This definitive collection of beloved Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's finest speeches covers topics as varied as the law, faith, virtue, pastimes, and his heroes and friends. Featuring a foreword written and narrated by longtime friend Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and an intimate introduction by his youngest son, this volume includes dozens of speeches, some deeply personal, that have never before been published. Christopher J. Scalia and the Justice's former law clerk Edward Whelan selected the speeches.

Americans have long been inspired by Justice Scalia’s ideas, delighted by his wit, and instructed by his intelligence. He was a sought-after speaker at commencements, convocations, and events across the country. Scalia Speaks will give readers the opportunity to encounter the legendary man more fully, helping them better understand the jurisprudence that made him one of the most important justices in the Court's history and introducing them to his broader insights on faith and life.

Original Photograph: Kainaz Amaria/NPR
Cover Design: Darren Haggar

Critic reviews

"Reading Scalia Speaks — the marvelous collection of his speeches, lovingly compiled by his son and a former law clerk — brought Nino back to life for me."
-Alan M. Dershowitz, The New York Times Book Review

"This marvelous book surely will be required reading for anyone seeking to understand the mind of this great jurist and conservative thinker. But I would go further and say that it should be required reading for anyone who wishes to understand the mind of a great American, a figure so important to our history that his passing influenced the presidential election held months later. If “Scalia Speaks” can be said to have one fundamental flaw—one shared with the man’s life—it is that it ends too soon."
-Wall Street Journal

“A treasure that captures Justice Antonin Scalia’s brilliance, wit, faith, humility and wide range of knowledge...Scalia speaks in his own words in this magnificent volume that should be on the bookshelf of every educated American.”
-Washington Post

"In decades of public speeches at home and abroad, Scalia educated, challenged, and entertained countless audiences. Now anyone who wants to benefit from the late justice’s wit and wisdom can do so with Scalia Speaks.…[An] indispensable book."
-Weekly Standard

“Scalia Speaks is engrossing and invaluable, a treasure for lawyers and non-lawyers alike, a milestone in the literature of this profoundly influential American and in the annals of the Supreme Court.”
-James Rosen

“An almost intimate picture of one of the giants of our age…Scalia’s mind sparkled like a gem, but perhaps, in our turbulent time, the most important takeaway from this collection is the lesson it teaches about civility.”
-Mona Charen

“An extraordinary portrait of a great public figure and thinker. The book is an intellectual feast and at the same time great fun to read. It displays an exceptionally coherent worldview articulated with great force and wit. It's enormously enlightening.
-Yuval Levin

Great Assortment of Writings

This is an excellent book on Justice Scalia's thoughts about law, faith, the Constitution and list of friends he made during his life. It is marked with his wit, his deeply held beliefs and deep understanding of American justice.

Great

inspiring and educational. Took me a long time to get to the end because I would listen to various chapters multiple times before moving on. And- no small thing- it is beautifully read.

A True Gift To Our Country & The Supreme Court Loved every Word

As a Constitutional junkie, I found the Speeches of Justice Scalia illuminating more why he was my favorite Supreme Court Justice. I actually will read the opinions handed down and just loved Justice Scalia’s articulations. His use of the Federalist papers though one might think elementary as a foundational opinion forming tool sadly The Justice Said is found in so many law schools today documents the students are estranged too. Buy and Listen to this collection it will enlighten you

An entertaining piece

A fun and educational book demonstrating the wisdom and humor of a great man well worth the time

A staunch and devoted Catholic!

Justice Scalia was such a brilliant man. Even though I didn't agree with most of his decisions, I loved reading his opinions. He loved his race and his church which if one listen close enough you will see his faith in his reasoning.