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Nino and Me: My Unusual Friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia
From legal expert and veteran author Bryan Garner comes a unique, intimate, and compelling memoir of his friendship with the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
For almost thirty years, Antonin Scalia was arguably the most influential and controversial Justice on the United States Supreme Court. His dynamic and witty writing devoted to the Constitution has influenced an entire generation of judges.
Based on his reputation for using scathing language to criticize liberal court decisions, many people presumed Scalia to be gruff and irascible. But to those who knew him as “Nino,” he was characterized by his warmth, charm, devotion, fierce intelligence, and loyalty.
Bryan Garner’s friendship with Justice Scalia was instigated by celebrated writer David Foster Wallace and strengthened over their shared love of language. Despite their differing viewpoints on everything from gun control to the use of contractions, their literary and personal relationship flourished. Justice Scalia even officiated at Garner’s wedding.
In this humorous, touching, and surprisingly action-packed memoir, Garner gives a firsthand insight into the mind, habits, and faith of one of the most famous and misunderstood judges in the world.
For almost thirty years, Antonin Scalia was arguably the most influential and controversial Justice on the United States Supreme Court. His dynamic and witty writing devoted to the Constitution has influenced an entire generation of judges.
Based on his reputation for using scathing language to criticize liberal court decisions, many people presumed Scalia to be gruff and irascible. But to those who knew him as “Nino,” he was characterized by his warmth, charm, devotion, fierce intelligence, and loyalty.
Bryan Garner’s friendship with Justice Scalia was instigated by celebrated writer David Foster Wallace and strengthened over their shared love of language. Despite their differing viewpoints on everything from gun control to the use of contractions, their literary and personal relationship flourished. Justice Scalia even officiated at Garner’s wedding.
In this humorous, touching, and surprisingly action-packed memoir, Garner gives a firsthand insight into the mind, habits, and faith of one of the most famous and misunderstood judges in the world.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
23 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 9, 2018
I must admit that I’m jealous of Mr. Garner. The opportunity to work with and befriend Justice Scalia is amazing. The interactions came through on the page. I’m disappointed that I did not attend one of their readings after reading the vivid descriptions. It is also noted that to befriend David Foster Wallace, as Mr. Garner did, is also amazing.
I don’t want the above to be read that I’m an ardent supporter of Justice Scalia. Politically, I’m closer to Mr. Garner. But there are a few things about Justice Scalia that drew me to him; at the very least, his incredible writing ability and the fact that he is an Italian-American. But I am inclined to toward reading and studying some of the greatest Supreme Court Justices.
My jealousy of Mr. Garner also extends to his writing. This book is very well written. I took and learned so much from it in addition to story being told. I’ve attended one of Mr. Garner’s classes, own several of his books, and hope to keep learning from him and improving my writing.
My hope from this book is that people will see the human side to Justice Scalia. Despite our opinions we are all still humans and can have close relationships despite differences. This book depicts a very human side to Justice Scalia, something that is often lost in the criticism of his opinions.
This book falls just under a five-star rating. I do consider it to have had a great influence upon me but, while close, while very close, the books I rate as five-stars have that little something else that I would call perfect and I reserve that designation for those perfect books.
I don’t want the above to be read that I’m an ardent supporter of Justice Scalia. Politically, I’m closer to Mr. Garner. But there are a few things about Justice Scalia that drew me to him; at the very least, his incredible writing ability and the fact that he is an Italian-American. But I am inclined to toward reading and studying some of the greatest Supreme Court Justices.
My jealousy of Mr. Garner also extends to his writing. This book is very well written. I took and learned so much from it in addition to story being told. I’ve attended one of Mr. Garner’s classes, own several of his books, and hope to keep learning from him and improving my writing.
My hope from this book is that people will see the human side to Justice Scalia. Despite our opinions we are all still humans and can have close relationships despite differences. This book depicts a very human side to Justice Scalia, something that is often lost in the criticism of his opinions.
This book falls just under a five-star rating. I do consider it to have had a great influence upon me but, while close, while very close, the books I rate as five-stars have that little something else that I would call perfect and I reserve that designation for those perfect books.
February 20, 2019
Bryan Garner is a legal expert and legal author. It was their mutual interest in lexicology that brought about their long friendship. The book is Garner’s memoir of the friendship between himself Antonin Scalia (1936-2016).
The book is well written. The prose is great as is the wit. Garner provides some first-hand insight into the mind and habits of Scalia. He also shows the humorous side of Scalia, as well as his quick temper. The book is a delight to read and provides some good laughs. I most enjoyed the section about how he and Scalia worked together writing books. He covered this in complete detail including arguments they had about grammar. I learned some key points in the discussion they had about textualism while writing their second book. I may not have agreed with all of Scalia’s viewpoints, but I do find him to be a complex and fascinating man and am eager to learn more about him.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fifteen hours and eight minutes. David Colacci does an excellent job narrating the book. Colacci is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. He is one of my favorite narrators.
The book is well written. The prose is great as is the wit. Garner provides some first-hand insight into the mind and habits of Scalia. He also shows the humorous side of Scalia, as well as his quick temper. The book is a delight to read and provides some good laughs. I most enjoyed the section about how he and Scalia worked together writing books. He covered this in complete detail including arguments they had about grammar. I learned some key points in the discussion they had about textualism while writing their second book. I may not have agreed with all of Scalia’s viewpoints, but I do find him to be a complex and fascinating man and am eager to learn more about him.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fifteen hours and eight minutes. David Colacci does an excellent job narrating the book. Colacci is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. He is one of my favorite narrators.
May 17, 2021
3.5 stars
I wanted Nino and Me to be MY FAVORITE READ OF 2021!!! and I'm a little bit crushed that it wasn't. Maybe I set my expectations too high. Maybe it needed more editing. Maybe the format just didn't work. I don't know. For as much as it made me LAUGH OUT LOUD and genuinely moved me, I spent much of it...frustrated.
5 stars for Garner's relationship with Scalia.
4 stars for the Scalia stories, always a delight.
3 stars for actual enjoyment. Maybe lower.
2 stars for the layout/format.
Here is what the book does well: it paints a picture of Justice Scalia that we don't always get to see. It is an unvarnished look at a man who could be impatient, meticulous, hilarious, caring, nosy, empathetic, and thoughtless. We see the friendship of two great legal minds develop from casual acquaintances to comfortable traveling buddies. We observe clashing egos. We glimpse the logistical drama of befriending a Supreme Court justice, including busy schedules and security concerns. We witness life-altering friendship occurring later in their life. (Garner has a great line near the end about how he never expected to meet someone who would change the course of his life once he reached middle-age, but that's exactly what happened.)
Most of all, though, this is a book about words. Clearly, Garner and Scalia shared a passion for proper language and their debates about dictionary definitions and etymology would put most language-lovers I know to shame. Good heavens, how many people do you know with a favorite edition of the dictionary? Could even recognize the difference between dictionaries, much less editions? If you identify at all as a snoot, this is a book for you.
This is also the book for you if you want a play-by-play about how Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges came about.
And I do mean a play-by-play.
For better or worse, this book provides excruciating detail about what motivated Garner and Scalia to write the book. And then even more detail about the editing process and just about every disagreement they had in the process. And also what dates Garner traveled to D.C. and where he ate (usually with Scalia, but you'll hear about every time he got stood up too) and what he ate and who he spoke with and every e-mail he sent notifying Scalia he would be in town and every time Scalia called him on the phone and every time he called Scalia on the phone (regardless of whether he got through to the justice) and...
That's the downside of this book. It is incredibly hard to wade through what is relevant and what isn't. The subtitle reads: "My Unusual Friendship With Justice Scalia" and the reader certainly gets it. Every tedious line of it.
He tries to break up the narrative with frequent quotations from conversations or e-mails. It works—to a point. Mostly it comes across as unnecessarily pedantic. Maybe the book needed shorter chapters. The stories are broken up with headings but the chapters themselves often stretch over 70 pages. But mostly I think the book lacks awareness about readers actually want to read. (Like, maybe less about every time Scalia stood him up like a passive aggressive girlfriend.)
This book brings so much to the table. It truly left me moved. Garner captures not only his own personal grief, but I think for many, the public grief of losing such a dynamic and impactful legal mind. It is a powerful gift for Scalia fans. But it is also a memoir in every sense of the word, and it is Garner's memoir, not Scalia's. We witness everything through his eyes. And those eyes often focus on things pedantic, tedious, and irrelevant!
In the end, though, I learned about words. I learned about friendship. And I learned about a Supreme Court justice I deeply admire. All those things make this a unique, rather neat, read.
I wanted Nino and Me to be MY FAVORITE READ OF 2021!!! and I'm a little bit crushed that it wasn't. Maybe I set my expectations too high. Maybe it needed more editing. Maybe the format just didn't work. I don't know. For as much as it made me LAUGH OUT LOUD and genuinely moved me, I spent much of it...frustrated.
5 stars for Garner's relationship with Scalia.
4 stars for the Scalia stories, always a delight.
3 stars for actual enjoyment. Maybe lower.
2 stars for the layout/format.
Here is what the book does well: it paints a picture of Justice Scalia that we don't always get to see. It is an unvarnished look at a man who could be impatient, meticulous, hilarious, caring, nosy, empathetic, and thoughtless. We see the friendship of two great legal minds develop from casual acquaintances to comfortable traveling buddies. We observe clashing egos. We glimpse the logistical drama of befriending a Supreme Court justice, including busy schedules and security concerns. We witness life-altering friendship occurring later in their life. (Garner has a great line near the end about how he never expected to meet someone who would change the course of his life once he reached middle-age, but that's exactly what happened.)
Most of all, though, this is a book about words. Clearly, Garner and Scalia shared a passion for proper language and their debates about dictionary definitions and etymology would put most language-lovers I know to shame. Good heavens, how many people do you know with a favorite edition of the dictionary? Could even recognize the difference between dictionaries, much less editions? If you identify at all as a snoot, this is a book for you.
This is also the book for you if you want a play-by-play about how Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges came about.
And I do mean a play-by-play.
For better or worse, this book provides excruciating detail about what motivated Garner and Scalia to write the book. And then even more detail about the editing process and just about every disagreement they had in the process. And also what dates Garner traveled to D.C. and where he ate (usually with Scalia, but you'll hear about every time he got stood up too) and what he ate and who he spoke with and every e-mail he sent notifying Scalia he would be in town and every time Scalia called him on the phone and every time he called Scalia on the phone (regardless of whether he got through to the justice) and...
That's the downside of this book. It is incredibly hard to wade through what is relevant and what isn't. The subtitle reads: "My Unusual Friendship With Justice Scalia" and the reader certainly gets it. Every tedious line of it.
He tries to break up the narrative with frequent quotations from conversations or e-mails. It works—to a point. Mostly it comes across as unnecessarily pedantic. Maybe the book needed shorter chapters. The stories are broken up with headings but the chapters themselves often stretch over 70 pages. But mostly I think the book lacks awareness about readers actually want to read. (Like, maybe less about every time Scalia stood him up like a passive aggressive girlfriend.)
This book brings so much to the table. It truly left me moved. Garner captures not only his own personal grief, but I think for many, the public grief of losing such a dynamic and impactful legal mind. It is a powerful gift for Scalia fans. But it is also a memoir in every sense of the word, and it is Garner's memoir, not Scalia's. We witness everything through his eyes. And those eyes often focus on things pedantic, tedious, and irrelevant!
In the end, though, I learned about words. I learned about friendship. And I learned about a Supreme Court justice I deeply admire. All those things make this a unique, rather neat, read.
April 9, 2021
Nino and Me: My Unusual Friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia
by Bryan Garner
Snoots. These two are snoots. This is a made-up word (title, really) meaning a person who is a well-informed language-lover and word connoisseur. They are picky and particular, like to parse out meaning and fuss over usage of words, grammar, syntax, context, continuity and traditional meanings. Snoots.
Bryan Garner is a world-renowned expert in legal writing, having edited Black’s Law Dictionary and written many books on subjects that have assisted and supported those in the legal field. Nino and Me is a memoir of his friendship and collaboration on two books with the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
This is not only a love letter to his friendship and their productive, satisfying work together, it is a very refreshing read. Packed with real honesty, with all the awkward pauses that happen in real friendships, and “agree to disagree” moments, these pages were thoroughly enjoyed. I felt the author’s dismay and grief at the abrupt end of their partnership, which makes the book and all he has recaptured by its writing, even sweeter.
This will be a hit or a miss depending on a reader’s interest areas. If you are a word lover, though, I promise this will be time well spent.
by Bryan Garner
Snoots. These two are snoots. This is a made-up word (title, really) meaning a person who is a well-informed language-lover and word connoisseur. They are picky and particular, like to parse out meaning and fuss over usage of words, grammar, syntax, context, continuity and traditional meanings. Snoots.
Bryan Garner is a world-renowned expert in legal writing, having edited Black’s Law Dictionary and written many books on subjects that have assisted and supported those in the legal field. Nino and Me is a memoir of his friendship and collaboration on two books with the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
This is not only a love letter to his friendship and their productive, satisfying work together, it is a very refreshing read. Packed with real honesty, with all the awkward pauses that happen in real friendships, and “agree to disagree” moments, these pages were thoroughly enjoyed. I felt the author’s dismay and grief at the abrupt end of their partnership, which makes the book and all he has recaptured by its writing, even sweeter.
This will be a hit or a miss depending on a reader’s interest areas. If you are a word lover, though, I promise this will be time well spent.
August 11, 2023
Disappointing. Disclosure: I listened to an audiobook version so the condescending tone that comes across might be from the way it was read. However, although I have tremendous respect for Scalia and he comes across favorably in the text Bryan Garner did not. The conversations always painted Garner as the one being patient, the one correcting, the one self-deprecating but looking for Scalia’s affirmation. In conversations when he does admit any mistakes it’s to make Scalia look impatient, stubborn, quick tempered etc. Through ways of criticizing the marshals or suggesting he could “train” Scalia or goading him into doing things Scalia initially turned down Bryan’s tone always suggests that HE was the one Scalia looked to. The whole book seemed to benefit from Scalia’s existence in a way Scalia can’t respond to. And to prove that Garner really WAS so close to Scalia.
November 18, 2025
Picked this up randomly at the library. Love a good history book, biography or memoir. I was far more interested in the stories and descriptions of Scalia than the legal and writing-process stuff. This was a surprisingly fast read. I liked the character and history lessons. This was an enjoyable diversion that will hopefully get me back into reading.
December 10, 2019
In 2002, I signed up for a full day writing and editing CLE class in Philadelphia with some guy named Bryan Garner. Nearly 20 years later, I worship at that some-guy's writing temple.
That's how I met Garner. And having met him, I recently stumbled on this book. I know Garner and Scalia co-authored some books but I didn't know this story. And despite being a Garner-worshipper and Scalia-respecter, I picked this up with limited expectations.
It was, not-so-surprisingly given its title, a touching friendship story. We learn something of Garner but even more about Scalia, especially his charisma. Emerging from some gruffness and occasional moments of well-earned entitlement, is a warm-hearted person whose principled legal foundation of textualism is hard to fault. Do you want to restrict the right to bear arms? No problem, would say Scalia: Amend the Constitution--his job is just to read the words. Garner even notes that Scalia, when asked if he could offer advice through time to the Constitutional drafters would be, "Make it easier to amend." Well stated from the the textualist.
The story, as we know, ends abruptly with Scalia's sudden and surprising death. I liked that Garner didn't dwell on all the emotions and story of what he did after Scalia's death. This was the story of a living friendship, and like will happen for many of us, when one of the friends dies, while the feelings last, the ongoing relationship ends. There was no reason to write more words.
That's how I met Garner. And having met him, I recently stumbled on this book. I know Garner and Scalia co-authored some books but I didn't know this story. And despite being a Garner-worshipper and Scalia-respecter, I picked this up with limited expectations.
It was, not-so-surprisingly given its title, a touching friendship story. We learn something of Garner but even more about Scalia, especially his charisma. Emerging from some gruffness and occasional moments of well-earned entitlement, is a warm-hearted person whose principled legal foundation of textualism is hard to fault. Do you want to restrict the right to bear arms? No problem, would say Scalia: Amend the Constitution--his job is just to read the words. Garner even notes that Scalia, when asked if he could offer advice through time to the Constitutional drafters would be, "Make it easier to amend." Well stated from the the textualist.
The story, as we know, ends abruptly with Scalia's sudden and surprising death. I liked that Garner didn't dwell on all the emotions and story of what he did after Scalia's death. This was the story of a living friendship, and like will happen for many of us, when one of the friends dies, while the feelings last, the ongoing relationship ends. There was no reason to write more words.
December 31, 2021
This is a beautiful book about an important friendship between two interesting men, both giants in their profession, brought together by a third.
I loved it.
I loved it.
December 27, 2018
I begin this review with two confessions. Bryan Garner is a longtime friend. But he and I both know that our friendship would not prevent me from being completely truthful in a review of NINO AND ME. In addition to our friendship, Garner is one of the world’s paramount snoots, a term coined by David Foster Wallace to describe a person who cares intensely about words, usage and grammar. I am sure that he will not be upset if I criticize his book. But I am equally certain that if I do so with incorrect language or style, he will not hesitate to let me know.
It was through his legal writing that Garner and Justice Antonin Scalia forged a relationship that is detailed on the pages of NINO AND ME. Garner’s legal career is devoted to making attorneys and judges better writers. In the course of that career, he has written and spoken across America. Around 2005, Garner began taping interviews with state and federal judges on the art of judicial opinions and legal writing. Through a series of vividly described communications between him and Justice Scalia, an interview was accomplished. It led to discussions about co-authoring a book. Two books, MAKING YOUR CASE: The Art of Persuading Judges and READING LAW: The Interpretation of Legal Texts, resulted. As the titles indicate, non-lawyers will not be rushing to purchase and read them.
However, NINO AND ME is a different type of book. It offers splendid and poignant insights into a personal relationship, and is a wonderful primer for anyone who aspires to become a better writer. A prime goal of Garner’s teaching is that lawyers and judges should avoid writing in the straitjacket of legalese, the technical language of the law. Garner’s writing accomplishes that task superbly.
The relationship between Garner and Scalia is portrayed here in extraordinary detail. The initial stages of their writing projects were talked about over dinners and other meetings, and readers will feel as though they are attending those discussions. Clearly both Scalia and Garner were drawn together by more than their respect for quality legal writing. Discussions moved easily into families, the arts, and a myriad of other subjects, each more interesting than the next.
Along the way, the collaborative process faced difficulties. In the beginning of their work, Garner and Scalia encountered complications that almost led to the entire project being shelved in its infancy. It is almost humorous to read of these problems, which simply seemed to be caused by the inability of these two writers to communicate verbally. They also seemed to have some technical communications issues as the more computer-proficient Garner often was technologically ahead of his colleague Scalia. In the early stages of their joint endeavor, Scalia terminated the project. He did so because he was not actually reading what Garner had produced; he was looking at rough notes, not the final product. When Garner finally realized what was going on, frantic phone calls followed, and the project was back on track.
Throughout NINO AND ME, there is an unmistakable sense of two colleagues developing a relationship and friendship. The writing process required give and take as well as diplomacy. Most enjoyable in the story is Garner’s portrayal of Scalia, who was a loving father, grandfather and friend to many. On the bench of the Supreme Court and in his written opinions, he could be a biting critic, but in his personal life he loved music, travel, food and fine wine. He truly was one of a kind.
Please do not shy away from this book because you think it is simply about lawyers or because Scalia’s political views were different from yours. The quality of the writing and the poignancy of the story make NINO AND ME one of the most enjoyable works I have read in many years.
Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman
It was through his legal writing that Garner and Justice Antonin Scalia forged a relationship that is detailed on the pages of NINO AND ME. Garner’s legal career is devoted to making attorneys and judges better writers. In the course of that career, he has written and spoken across America. Around 2005, Garner began taping interviews with state and federal judges on the art of judicial opinions and legal writing. Through a series of vividly described communications between him and Justice Scalia, an interview was accomplished. It led to discussions about co-authoring a book. Two books, MAKING YOUR CASE: The Art of Persuading Judges and READING LAW: The Interpretation of Legal Texts, resulted. As the titles indicate, non-lawyers will not be rushing to purchase and read them.
However, NINO AND ME is a different type of book. It offers splendid and poignant insights into a personal relationship, and is a wonderful primer for anyone who aspires to become a better writer. A prime goal of Garner’s teaching is that lawyers and judges should avoid writing in the straitjacket of legalese, the technical language of the law. Garner’s writing accomplishes that task superbly.
The relationship between Garner and Scalia is portrayed here in extraordinary detail. The initial stages of their writing projects were talked about over dinners and other meetings, and readers will feel as though they are attending those discussions. Clearly both Scalia and Garner were drawn together by more than their respect for quality legal writing. Discussions moved easily into families, the arts, and a myriad of other subjects, each more interesting than the next.
Along the way, the collaborative process faced difficulties. In the beginning of their work, Garner and Scalia encountered complications that almost led to the entire project being shelved in its infancy. It is almost humorous to read of these problems, which simply seemed to be caused by the inability of these two writers to communicate verbally. They also seemed to have some technical communications issues as the more computer-proficient Garner often was technologically ahead of his colleague Scalia. In the early stages of their joint endeavor, Scalia terminated the project. He did so because he was not actually reading what Garner had produced; he was looking at rough notes, not the final product. When Garner finally realized what was going on, frantic phone calls followed, and the project was back on track.
Throughout NINO AND ME, there is an unmistakable sense of two colleagues developing a relationship and friendship. The writing process required give and take as well as diplomacy. Most enjoyable in the story is Garner’s portrayal of Scalia, who was a loving father, grandfather and friend to many. On the bench of the Supreme Court and in his written opinions, he could be a biting critic, but in his personal life he loved music, travel, food and fine wine. He truly was one of a kind.
Please do not shy away from this book because you think it is simply about lawyers or because Scalia’s political views were different from yours. The quality of the writing and the poignancy of the story make NINO AND ME one of the most enjoyable works I have read in many years.
Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman
June 30, 2021
A touching tribute to an unexpected but fruitful friendship. Garner is a lexicographer, legal writer, and lawyer. He is the editor in chief of Black's Law Dictionary and has contributed a chapter on American English Grammar and Usage in the Chicago Manual of Style. His Garner's Modern English Usage is now in its 4th edition. Garner travels around the country speaking to attorney groups about how to write with clarity and thus develop compelling arguments.
A love of words and a desire for their clearest possible use brought Garner and Justice Scalia together. In addition to this, they both operate with a "textualist" understanding of the U.S. Constitution and law.
In order to spruce up his presentations, Garner began to film interviews with judges and lawyers, then insert portions of these interviews in his presentations. He interviewed Justice Scalia. They decided to write a book together in order to address concerns that they both had. The eventually wrote a second book. Somewhere along the way they became friends. Scalia asked him to call him Nino.
Garner begins his story by explaining how David Foster Wallace connected Garner and Scalia. He takes us through his personal experiences with Scalia and his wife Maureen as well as his professional experiences in their writing, traveling, and presenting together. Garner's admiration for Scalia is clear from the first to the last page of the book. I appreciate how he tactfully let us see Scalia's humanity and brilliance. He uses wise discretion in his stories. Not once did I wince and say, "I didn't need to know that."
Not only did I learn more about Garner and Scalia, but I also learned more about our remarkable English language, and a bit about the law. The media throws a lot of terms around such as "originalism" without providing nuanced explanations. Garner and Scalia's narrative provides useful explanations of the U.S. law that any concerned citizen will find useful.
I only wish that Scalia would have lived a little longer so that the two of them could write a third book and Garner could have developed Scalia's writings into that boxed set they talked about. But, alas! we must receive the gift of life as it is. Garner's memoir shows us the joy of an unexpected gift of friendship. I am glad I read this book!
A love of words and a desire for their clearest possible use brought Garner and Justice Scalia together. In addition to this, they both operate with a "textualist" understanding of the U.S. Constitution and law.
In order to spruce up his presentations, Garner began to film interviews with judges and lawyers, then insert portions of these interviews in his presentations. He interviewed Justice Scalia. They decided to write a book together in order to address concerns that they both had. The eventually wrote a second book. Somewhere along the way they became friends. Scalia asked him to call him Nino.
Garner begins his story by explaining how David Foster Wallace connected Garner and Scalia. He takes us through his personal experiences with Scalia and his wife Maureen as well as his professional experiences in their writing, traveling, and presenting together. Garner's admiration for Scalia is clear from the first to the last page of the book. I appreciate how he tactfully let us see Scalia's humanity and brilliance. He uses wise discretion in his stories. Not once did I wince and say, "I didn't need to know that."
Not only did I learn more about Garner and Scalia, but I also learned more about our remarkable English language, and a bit about the law. The media throws a lot of terms around such as "originalism" without providing nuanced explanations. Garner and Scalia's narrative provides useful explanations of the U.S. law that any concerned citizen will find useful.
I only wish that Scalia would have lived a little longer so that the two of them could write a third book and Garner could have developed Scalia's writings into that boxed set they talked about. But, alas! we must receive the gift of life as it is. Garner's memoir shows us the joy of an unexpected gift of friendship. I am glad I read this book!
December 11, 2019
First, a preface. I am a huge fan of Bryan Garner's work. His "The Winning Brief" has transformed me from a good brief writer to a much better one. I follow his strictures exactingly and my work product continues to improve. That book should be required reading in all law schools and by all lawyers. It's that good. Further, he is the foremost lexicographer and grammarian on the planet (at least regarding the English language). He has surpassed Fowler, blown Strunk and White out of the water, and has turned Black's Law Dictionary into a modern, essential reference for all lawyers. And his Modern English Usage is the best reference book out there--on any subject--period. So, you can say that I am a super fan of Garner, professionally.
As for Scalia, I knew nothing of him personally but respected him greatly as a jurist and thinker. While I tend to lean a bit left, it's hard to find fault with a textualist. As a trial lawyer, all I want from a judge is to be fair and to follow the law. To do otherwise leads to unpredictable results with bad, tough-to-follow precedents. Like the strike zone in baseball, good lawyers crave predictable outcomes based on a set standard. It's my worst nightmare when a judge or arbitrator tells me that they are going to do what's right, regardless of what the law or the contract says. That's not the job of a judge who is not sitting in equity. Her job is to follow the law and apply the agreed-to terms of a contract regardless of the result. Doing what's "right" is the job of the parties in crafting a contract or the legislature in crafting a law or a constitution. Scalia is not pro-guns or anti-abortion as a jurist. He simply followed the law and applied it accurately (in his judgment).
That said, back to the book. I gave the book five stars for its fabulous writing and unvarnished honesty. If Garner was honest in his portrayal of himself and Justice Scalia--and I believe he was--he really brought the character and personality of both men to light, giant warts and all. And the result--to this reader--was an unflattering portrayal of both men and a major betrayal of Scalia's trust and affection by Garner.
Scalia: He came across as a prima donna of Olympic proportions. He was quick to anger and became overly angry concerning extremely minor slights. Examples pervade the book. Garner relayed that a British historian questioned the use of Originalist on a book the two had written, and Scalia nearly ended his friendship and collaboration with Garner. Scalia went ballistic when Garner "subjected" him to an hour of dull conversation with a political science professor and medical doctor. Scalia berated Garner's wife for allowing his suits to get wrinkled when packed and for accidentally dropping his briefcase on a trip--and Garner actually apologized to him for her carelessness. Scalia would go off on Garner if he was a few minutes late to a meeting, but Scalia twice stood up Garner for dinner. And on and on. Garner had to walk on eggshells when dealing with him, so as not to ever unintentionally cause offense. And this included making sure that Scalia would only meet people who were intellectuals and good conversationalists (read: conversed only on topics that Scalia preferred). Garner catered to Scalia's every whim--finding him Latin church masses whenever they traveled, ensuring that every minute of Scalia's time was accounted for and full only of things that would please him, etc. And with only an exception or three--most notably officiating Garner's wedding, getting a VIP seat at oral arguments for Garner's daughter, and sponsoring his wife's admittance to the Supreme Court bar--the street appeared to run one way. Scalia also appeared to be particularly arrogant. At the outset of their collaboration, Scalia said that he wanted him and Garner to treat each other as equals, well, only on "this project." I appreciate that Scalia had an extremely important job with many demands on his time, but I cannot countenance anyone who was so self-important that he craved or required to be surrounded by unctuous, hero worshippers. Being "friends" with Scalia must have been exhausting, constantly having to cater to the "great" man and being in fear that any unintended slight would, at once, end the friendship or collaboration. Scalia is lucky that he was such a talent because I can't imagine he'd have many friends who'd be willing to act as Garner had to act in order to befriend the man.
Garner: This book taught me that you don't want to know all that much about your heroes. Garner came across as a self-important social and professional climber, who simply loves to drop name after name of all of his important friends. I respect his work immensely, but I was turned off by his carefully planned cultivations of others. He treated relationships like Wellington treated battle plans. There was nothing organic about the process; he simply planned out the best approach to meet and impress important professional and personal potential-friends. I fully understand that that is an excellent approach to success, and Garner is worthy of success, but it turned me off a lot. Not for one second did I believe that his friendship with Scalia was entirely real. Most of it was to use Scalia's mind and prominence to get some books published. Being a "snoot," I'm sure that he very much enjoyed working another high-level snoot, but I always had the sense that the core of the relationship was to advance Garner professionally. And this book, itself, proves my point. I have absolutely no doubt that Scalia would have felt betrayed by his portrayal in the book so much so that their friendship and collaboration would have immediately come to an end. I don't know Mrs. Scalia, but I have to imagine that she is none too pleased with the book. Scalia would not have wanted his warts and foibles to be displayed to the world. He would have been horrified by invasions into his private life perpetrated by Garner. Some trusted "friend" he turned out to be.
So why five stars? It got five stars because like any great biography I really got to know both men--even though I didn't always like I what I saw. And it did a really great job of explaining Scalia's judicial philosophy to the masses.
I welcome any comments pro or con and am willing to be convinced that I wrongfully attacked both men and Bryan Garner's motives. I hope I am wrong, I really do, but I don't think that I am.
As for Scalia, I knew nothing of him personally but respected him greatly as a jurist and thinker. While I tend to lean a bit left, it's hard to find fault with a textualist. As a trial lawyer, all I want from a judge is to be fair and to follow the law. To do otherwise leads to unpredictable results with bad, tough-to-follow precedents. Like the strike zone in baseball, good lawyers crave predictable outcomes based on a set standard. It's my worst nightmare when a judge or arbitrator tells me that they are going to do what's right, regardless of what the law or the contract says. That's not the job of a judge who is not sitting in equity. Her job is to follow the law and apply the agreed-to terms of a contract regardless of the result. Doing what's "right" is the job of the parties in crafting a contract or the legislature in crafting a law or a constitution. Scalia is not pro-guns or anti-abortion as a jurist. He simply followed the law and applied it accurately (in his judgment).
That said, back to the book. I gave the book five stars for its fabulous writing and unvarnished honesty. If Garner was honest in his portrayal of himself and Justice Scalia--and I believe he was--he really brought the character and personality of both men to light, giant warts and all. And the result--to this reader--was an unflattering portrayal of both men and a major betrayal of Scalia's trust and affection by Garner.
Scalia: He came across as a prima donna of Olympic proportions. He was quick to anger and became overly angry concerning extremely minor slights. Examples pervade the book. Garner relayed that a British historian questioned the use of Originalist on a book the two had written, and Scalia nearly ended his friendship and collaboration with Garner. Scalia went ballistic when Garner "subjected" him to an hour of dull conversation with a political science professor and medical doctor. Scalia berated Garner's wife for allowing his suits to get wrinkled when packed and for accidentally dropping his briefcase on a trip--and Garner actually apologized to him for her carelessness. Scalia would go off on Garner if he was a few minutes late to a meeting, but Scalia twice stood up Garner for dinner. And on and on. Garner had to walk on eggshells when dealing with him, so as not to ever unintentionally cause offense. And this included making sure that Scalia would only meet people who were intellectuals and good conversationalists (read: conversed only on topics that Scalia preferred). Garner catered to Scalia's every whim--finding him Latin church masses whenever they traveled, ensuring that every minute of Scalia's time was accounted for and full only of things that would please him, etc. And with only an exception or three--most notably officiating Garner's wedding, getting a VIP seat at oral arguments for Garner's daughter, and sponsoring his wife's admittance to the Supreme Court bar--the street appeared to run one way. Scalia also appeared to be particularly arrogant. At the outset of their collaboration, Scalia said that he wanted him and Garner to treat each other as equals, well, only on "this project." I appreciate that Scalia had an extremely important job with many demands on his time, but I cannot countenance anyone who was so self-important that he craved or required to be surrounded by unctuous, hero worshippers. Being "friends" with Scalia must have been exhausting, constantly having to cater to the "great" man and being in fear that any unintended slight would, at once, end the friendship or collaboration. Scalia is lucky that he was such a talent because I can't imagine he'd have many friends who'd be willing to act as Garner had to act in order to befriend the man.
Garner: This book taught me that you don't want to know all that much about your heroes. Garner came across as a self-important social and professional climber, who simply loves to drop name after name of all of his important friends. I respect his work immensely, but I was turned off by his carefully planned cultivations of others. He treated relationships like Wellington treated battle plans. There was nothing organic about the process; he simply planned out the best approach to meet and impress important professional and personal potential-friends. I fully understand that that is an excellent approach to success, and Garner is worthy of success, but it turned me off a lot. Not for one second did I believe that his friendship with Scalia was entirely real. Most of it was to use Scalia's mind and prominence to get some books published. Being a "snoot," I'm sure that he very much enjoyed working another high-level snoot, but I always had the sense that the core of the relationship was to advance Garner professionally. And this book, itself, proves my point. I have absolutely no doubt that Scalia would have felt betrayed by his portrayal in the book so much so that their friendship and collaboration would have immediately come to an end. I don't know Mrs. Scalia, but I have to imagine that she is none too pleased with the book. Scalia would not have wanted his warts and foibles to be displayed to the world. He would have been horrified by invasions into his private life perpetrated by Garner. Some trusted "friend" he turned out to be.
So why five stars? It got five stars because like any great biography I really got to know both men--even though I didn't always like I what I saw. And it did a really great job of explaining Scalia's judicial philosophy to the masses.
I welcome any comments pro or con and am willing to be convinced that I wrongfully attacked both men and Bryan Garner's motives. I hope I am wrong, I really do, but I don't think that I am.
March 24, 2018
“Nino and Me: My Unusual Friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia” by Bryan A. Garner (Author of “Garner’s Modern English Usage”)
This was not on my radar screen at all, but it was surprisingly delightful. Beyond insights into Scalia’s character, it’s a fantastic account of a surprising friendship - one that last just shy of 10 years. The ripples of their partnership will endure for many more and I am glad to have read it.
It’s also insightful for pastors: as an “originalist”, Scalia would surely appreciate our tenacious desire to represent what the original biblical authors intended.
This was not on my radar screen at all, but it was surprisingly delightful. Beyond insights into Scalia’s character, it’s a fantastic account of a surprising friendship - one that last just shy of 10 years. The ripples of their partnership will endure for many more and I am glad to have read it.
It’s also insightful for pastors: as an “originalist”, Scalia would surely appreciate our tenacious desire to represent what the original biblical authors intended.
May 15, 2021
When I pick up a book about a Supreme Court Justice and another person (who, by all accounts is very well know and highly regarded in legal circles), I am expecting a completely lopsided division of attention. The only reason I picked this book to read is because I thought I would get a better behind the scenes perspective on Scalia.
November 24, 2024
I loved this book. I had been struggling to square the way lawyers actually write and all the writing books on the market. Hearing the debates in this book gave me a feel for what’s going on that I can’t imagine finding elsewhere.
April 23, 2024
96/100
5 stars - 90/100
4 stars - 80/100
3 stars - 70/100
2 stars - 60/100
1 star - 50/100
5 stars - 90/100
4 stars - 80/100
3 stars - 70/100
2 stars - 60/100
1 star - 50/100
August 3, 2019
The book has a lot of great stories, although its last quarter is all but insufferable. Garner is an exceptionally talented lawyer linguist--and he reminds you of that every single page.
May 20, 2018
This book describes how the author came to be friends with Justice Scalia. Interesting how it came to pass. They then wrote two books together.
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