Book Review: ‘Revenge for the Sixties,’ by Peter S. Canellos; ‘Alito,’ by Mollie Hemingway

Why It Matters

Alito’s legacy shapes the trajectory of U.S. constitutional law, and his departure could redefine the Court’s conservative majority, affecting policy outcomes for decades.

Key Takeaways

• Alito authored the 2022 opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.
• Two new biographies examine Alito's life from contrasting lenses.
• Canellos' book frames Alito within 1960s political and Catholic roots.
• Hemingway's work portrays Alito as a modern-day prophetic figure.
• Alito's potential retirement could shift the Supreme Court's conservative tilt.

Pulse Analysis

Justice Samuel Alito’s role in the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade cemented his status as a linchpin of the conservative legal movement. By discarding a half‑century of precedent, Alito signaled a broader shift toward originalist interpretation, energizing activists, donors, and think tanks that have long advocated for a judiciary aligned with religious and cultural conservatism. This decision reverberated beyond abortion policy, influencing debates on voting rights, affirmative action, and federal regulatory power, and it highlighted the Supreme Court’s capacity to reshape American life in a single ruling.

The two biographies released this spring illustrate the cultural polarization surrounding Alito. Peter S. Canellos, a former Politico editor, situates Alito within the tumult of the 1960s, tracing how Catholic upbringing and anti‑communist sentiment forged his judicial philosophy. In contrast, Mollie Hemingway, a Fox News commentator, casts Alito as a messianic figure, likening his jurisprudence to biblical prophecy. Their divergent tones—historical analysis versus hagiography—mirror the broader media battle over the Court’s legitimacy, with each narrative appealing to distinct readerships seeking either scholarly context or affirming myth.

Looking ahead, Alito’s rumored retirement raises strategic questions for both parties. A vacancy could tip the Court’s ideological balance, prompting a high‑stakes nomination battle that will likely involve intense lobbying from corporate interests, advocacy groups, and political donors. Meanwhile, the market for politically charged biographies continues to expand, reflecting public appetite for insight into the personalities shaping policy. Understanding Alito’s legacy—and the competing stories about it—offers investors, policymakers, and legal professionals a clearer gauge of future regulatory environments and the forces that will drive them.