--- product_id: 625665849 title: "Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism" price: "€ 47.02" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.pt/products/625665849-reading-the-constitution-why-i-chose-pragmatism-not-textualism store_origin: PT region: Portugal --- # Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism **Price:** € 47.02 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism - **How much does it cost?** € 47.02 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pt](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/625665849-reading-the-constitution-why-i-chose-pragmatism-not-textualism) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description New York Times Bestseller In a provocative and brilliant analysis, retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer deconstructs the textualist philosophy of the current Supreme Court’s supermajority and makes the case for a more pragmatic approach of the Constitution. “You will not read a more important legal work this election year.” —Bob Woodward, Washington Post reporter and author of fifteen #1 New York Times bestselling books “A dissent for the ages.” — The Washington Post “Breyer’s candor about the state of the court is refreshing and much needed.” — The Boston Globe The relatively new judicial philosophy of textualism dominates the Supreme Court. Textualists claim that the right way to interpret the Constitution and statutes is to read the text carefully and examine the language as it was understood at the time the documents were written. This, however, is not Justice Breyer’s philosophy nor has it been the traditional way to interpret the Constitution since the time of Chief Justice John Marshall. Justice Breyer recalls Marshall’s exhortation that the Constitution must be a workable set of principles to be interpreted by subsequent generations. Most important in interpreting law, says Breyer, is to understand the statutes as well as the consequences of deciding a case one way or another. He illustrates these principles by examining some of the most important cases in the nation’s history, among them the Dobbs and Bruen decisions from 2022 that he argues were wrongly decided and have led to harmful results. Review: Pragmatism all the way for me! - I am not a lawyer. This book helped me to understand the way ultra-right literalist lawyers and judges read the Constitution and how more moderate and liberal judges read and understand it. The right wing evangelicals treat the Constitution like the do the Bible as far as interpretation goes. I think this should be must reading for every law student. Review: This is a must read book if you’re interested in constitutional law. It’s not easy. - The book clarifies the difference between textualism and pragmatism in deciding constitutional issues. But, be prepared, some justices apply what I term as politicualism. Since I'm a sight impaired reader, I'm happy that this book is now available on the kindle app. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 1,062,298 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 8,279 in Law (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 456 Reviews | ## Images ![Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6118UMWll-L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pragmatism all the way for me! *by D***B on 26 May 2026* I am not a lawyer. This book helped me to understand the way ultra-right literalist lawyers and judges read the Constitution and how more moderate and liberal judges read and understand it. The right wing evangelicals treat the Constitution like the do the Bible as far as interpretation goes. I think this should be must reading for every law student. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a must read book if you’re interested in constitutional law. It’s not easy. *by V***Y on 23 July 2024* The book clarifies the difference between textualism and pragmatism in deciding constitutional issues. But, be prepared, some justices apply what I term as politicualism. Since I'm a sight impaired reader, I'm happy that this book is now available on the kindle app. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Difficult book but worth the time spent to read it. *by J***D on 19 July 2024* Breyer is a brilliant lawyer and the book is a window into the workings of the US Supreme Court. ## Frequently Bought Together - Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism - A Matter of Interpretation: Federal Courts and the Law - New Edition (The University Center for Human Values Series) - Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.pt/products/625665849-reading-the-constitution-why-i-chose-pragmatism-not-textualism](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/625665849-reading-the-constitution-why-i-chose-pragmatism-not-textualism) --- *Product available on Desertcart Portugal* *Store origin: PT* *Last updated: 2026-10-05*