Book Review of 'The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law' by Albie Sachs

Abstract

For a predominately legal audience, it would be satisfying enough to read an engaging and insightful book by a judge about being present at the creation of an important legal milestone, in this case the formative years of the post-apartheid South African Constitutional Court. More satisfying still would be a book by a judge who explores, with wit, flair, intellectual rigour and courage, some of the fundamental questions that confront the modern bench: the intricacies and paradoxes of judicial decision-making, the challenges of an activist court, and an appreciation of the evolving relationship between legislators and judges in a constitutional democracy. Mr. Justice Albie Sachs' The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law is a most satisfying book. It is both acutely particular to South Africa and immensely relevant to the emerging global constitutional dialogue.