Laughing at the Gods

Preface

This book is intended to be a loose companion to my earlier book, Is Eating People Wrong? Great Legal Cases and How They Shaped the World (2011). It takes a closer look at some of the main characters who have stood out among the judicial ranks and who have thereby helped to shape the world. It is not intended as a hymn of praise for these memorable figures or the judicial function generally. Instead, it examines the common law enterprise and seeks to identify what it is that makes some of its judicial practitioners leaders in their field. Whether the influence of these so-called great judges is considered good or bad remains a question for continuing debate. As such, this book is intended to open a conversation about some judges and their supposed greatness.

In researching and writing this book, I have relied extensively on the fine body of research that has developed over the years about these individuals and the law. I have done little original or primary research myself, and I have been as comprehensive as possible in listing those sources that I have relied upon at the end of the book. I am extremely grateful to those historians and commentators.