Advice & Dissent: The Struggle to Shape the Federal Judiciary
This book tackles an important and timely topic—the confirmation of lower federal court judges—and does so with originality, objectivity, and methodological sophistication. The authors have a firm historical grasp and provide a necessary and illuminating political overview and context. This is unquestionably a major contribution to the literature.--Sheldon Goldman, University of Massachusetts at AmherstThis very timely study adds significantly to our understanding of the ongoing conflict over the makeup of the federal judiciary. Every chapter is packed with new information, and the work as a whole has remarkable historical sweep and detail. It will be instructive and useful to both students and specialists.--David W. Rohde, Duke UniversityAdvice and Dissentis a must-read for anyone interested in the courts and judiciary. It is an important work for scholars. The historical sweep, detailed study of Senatorial politics, and examination of how partisan conflict affects judicial legitimacy combine to provide a particularly comprehensive analysis of the politics of judicial confirmations. --Brandice Canes-Wrone, Department of Politics and Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University