Each year, Stanford Law School’s faculty compiles a list of recommended readings that span genres, topics, and authors. The 2024 list offers a wealth of perspectives, including memoirs, social and political analysis, and works of fiction.
John J. Donohue, C. Wendell and Edith M. Carlsmith Professor of Law, suggests Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond, Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkman, and Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. Donohue points out the valuable message of Desmond’s book concerning public policy’s bias towards the rich, while Burkman’s book prompts readers to reconsider their time management choices. Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk reveals both strengths and weaknesses of the billionaire, tracing influences from his turbulent family history.
Evelyn Douek, Assistant Professor of Law, recommends the science fiction and speculative fiction works: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer and Exhalation by Ted Chiang. She highlights the immersive nature of VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy and praises Chiang’s captivating storytelling.
Henry T. Greely, Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law, contributes recommendations that vary from speculative fiction to local history: The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier, Fighting Traffic by Peter D. Norton, Thunder at Twilight by Frederic Morton, Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, and Stanford’s Wallace Sterling: Portrait of a Presidency: 1949-1968 by Roxane Nilan and Cassius Kirk. Greely emphasizes the unique narrative styles and the insightful historical perspectives these books offer.
Robert Gordon, Professor of Law, Emeritus, suggests historical reads such as Freedom’s Dominion by Jefferson Cowie and Antonin Scalia and American Constitutionalism by Edward A. Purcell, Jr. Gordon notes Cowie’s engaging narrative on national crises and Scalia’s detailed judicial history.
Deborah R. Hensler, Judge John W. Ford Professor of Dispute Resolution, recommends It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. Hensler’s choice stems from its relevance to contemporary political climates.
Pamela Karlan, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law, puts forward Punish Treason, Reward Loyalty by Mark Graber, Vision by David Tatel, and The World by Simon Sebag Montefiore.
The full faculty reading list can be viewed here.