Worse Than Nothing

“Chemerinsky . . . offers a concise, point-by-point refutation of the theory [of originalism]. He argues that it cannot deliver what it promises—and if it could, no one would want what it is selling.”—David Cole, New York Review of Books

Listed by Wall Street Journal in “12 Books to Read: The Best Reviews of September”

“Lucid [and] convincing . . . [with] sensible arguments opposing what seems like the wave of the future.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[A] timely and devastating refutation of originalism. . . . Chemerinsky is eminently qualified to mount this critique. . . . [It is] the definitive obituary of originalism.”—Stephen Rohde, Los Angeles Review of Books

“Chemerinsky has written a powerful, respectful but devastating critique of the political practice known as originalism. This rich and careful book provides essential context for understanding the confusions and self-deceptions of that project.”—Aziz Z. Huq, Frank and Bernice J. Greenberg Professor of Law, University of Chicago

“Worse Than Nothing addresses an exceptionally timely and significant issue. Chemerinsky provides a definitive account of the rise and pitfalls of originalism that is accessible to a broad audience of lawyers and nonlawyers alike.”—Leah Litman, professor of law, University of Michigan Law School

“Worse Than Nothing is a devastating, concise, and beautifully written critique of originalism. It is a must read for anyone interested in the current debates about originalism and constitutional interpretation.”—Eric J. Segall, author of Originalism as Faith

“Originalism mistakenly seeks to slavishly tie interpretation of our living Constitution to a single point in time. Nowhere is this mistake more forcefully and clearly explained than in this excellent new book by Erwin Chemerinsky.”—Martin H. Redish, author of Judicial Independence and the American Constitution

“Clear, concise and devastating. . . . A must-read for anyone interested in the Constitution and its contemporary meaning.”—David Cole, national legal director of the ACLU