Over Ruled

The Human Toll of Too Much Law

By: Neil Gorsuch, Janie Nitze

Narrated by: Neil Gorsuch, Charles Constant

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

America has always been a nation of laws. But today our laws have grown so vast and reach so deeply into our lives that it’s worth asking: In our reverence for law, have we gone too far?

Over just the last few decades, laws in this nation have exploded in number; they are increasingly complex; and the punishments they carry are increasingly severe. Some of these laws come from our elected representatives, but many now come from agency officials largely insulated from democratic accountability.

In Over Ruled, Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze explore these developments and the human toll so much law can carry for ordinary Americans. At its heart, this is a book of stories—about fishermen in Florida, families in Montana, monks in Louisiana, a young Internet entrepreneur in Massachusetts, and many others who have found themselves trapped unex­pectedly in a legal maze.

Some law is essential to our lives and our freedoms. But too much law can place those very same freedoms at risk and even undermine respect for law itself. And often those who feel the cost most acutely are those without wealth, power, and status.

Deeply researched and superbly written, Over Ruled is one of the most significant books of the year. It is a must-listen for every citizen concerned about the erosion of our constitutional system, and its insights will be key to the preservation of our liberties for generations to come.

©2024 Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

More than just case studies

I’m impressed with the showing of the gradual encroachment of a huge federal government and sometimes state government bureaucracy. The case studies were beautifully entwined with commentary by the authors or the authors quoting other people. This was a much better book than others that only have case study with not as much context. Very interesting that under JFK there was a legal genius who gave us a guide to helping with the senseless federal bureaucracy. So many people were grievously harmed by government enforcement of senseless rules.

Our government is completely out of control and it preys on the weak. horrible what it’s come to.

I appreciated the true stories of the unfortunate innocent people that get caught in the crosshairs of our federal government.

The stories of peoples lives tossed upside down by ever changing rules, guideline’s, regulations and other governing docs.

It is amazing how Justice Gorsuch and Mrs Nitze compiled over 1,000 sources into 185 pages. I purchased the study guide which will help me to dig a little deeper.

Thoughtful

Patient and humbling. This was a joy to hear. Thank you for sharing your concern.

Important topic.

Clear and concise writing. Authors selected excellent cases for their thesis and call for action.

There is hope for the Rule of Law

Americans are so fortunate to have Neil Gorsuch sitting on our Supreme Court. I appreciate the wisdom and the thoughtfulness put into this particular book. It gives me hope that we can actually revert back to the principles of our Founding Fathers. And it well demonstrates that we must put the administrative state in check because we are definitely overruled, not by laws, but by administrators who act as if their word is law. You will be glad when you read this book because it will give you hope also.

Great book!

Great history and understanding of our laws! Listened to several times… good lesson on being involved in government…

Informative and interesting!

I really enjoyed this book and its summary of the current state of law in the U.S. Justice Gorsuch concisely provides an overview of the scope and frequent overreach of many laws and government agencies. By using case studies and frequent examples he details how oftentimes a case can be measured against a particular law or rule that was never intended for its circumstances. He rightly points out that in many cases the average person can be overwhelmed by the volume and complexity of the law, and all too often has no viable recourse or alternative. This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it!!

An Excellent Book About a Serious Problem

There is just too much law. Justice Gorsuch does a great job going into detail about how the code books in the US have steadily expanded until they are essentially unknowable and arbitrary. The fact that we do not currently know how many federal crimes there are is absolutely insane and should be alarming to all of us!

I highly recommend this book.

Excellent and Eye-Opening

Stories in this book make a compelling case that the fourth branch of government is indeed out of control.