Book Review Extract:

In his well-written and well-argued book, William D. Popkin delivers on the promise denoted in his title. Part I of the book details the Anglo-American history of statutory interpretation. Part 11 begins by surveying the most important contemporary theories in the field of statutory interpretation. Part 11 ends with the author's rejection of these theories and the exposition of his own theory, which he calls "ordinary judging." Popkin argues that his is "the best perspective for understanding the discretionary judicial role [in interpreting statutes] . . . whereby judges indulge a modest competence to contribute to good government" (p. 3)