Book Review: “Judges, Judging, and Judgment: Character, Wisdom, and Humility in a Polarized World”

Chad M. Oldfather’s thoughtful, interdisciplinary book Judges, Judging, and Judgment: Character, Wisdom and Humility and in Polarized World (2024 Cambridge University Press) discusses a variety of different issues facing the judiciary in a polarized society. The book is masterfully researched, citing hundreds of recent sources from various disciplines, showing profound intellectual depth and representing a capstone of Oldfather’s service as a law professor for more than a generation. The target audience seems to be other legal academics, written as part of a broader conversation between law faculty focusing on jurisprudence and legal philosophy. Along the way, however, the book provides insight about what it takes to be a good judge, especially in its final chapters where Oldfather’s thoughtful, personal thoughts emerge. The book underscores the importance of fostering judicial traits that enhance fairness, independence, and public trust in the legal system.