I Am Not a Fan of Law Professor Books. Why Did I Just Write One?
My first book, The Digital Fourth Amendment, came out last month. I wanted to write some posts on the book over the next week. And I figured I should start with the most fundamental question: Why on earth did I write this book?
The thing is, I don’t really believe in law professor books. I mean, I know they exist. But I’ve usually thought of most law professor books as a waste of time. First, most law professor books are too long and too dense. People might buy them and put them on the shelf, but does anyone actually read them?
And second, why hide away your writing in a book, when you could much more easily just write an article and put it on SSRN for anyone to read? If you’re trying to reach an audience, wouldn’t you want to make the ideas as accessible as possible for them rather than require readers to pay for the privilege? In academic fields where books are the coin of the realm, fine, write a book. But in legal academia, law review articles are still the base currency. Why not stick with that?
For these reasons, I’ve been a law professor for almost 25 years, but I have never written a book.
But wait, this post is about my new book, The Digital Fourth Amendment. If I don’t really
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
