Rise to Greatness explores Scalia’s philosophy as an opponent of “ judicial activism ” — when a judge imposes a personal political preference in a case rather than rely on what is plainly in the written text of the Constitution or governing statute. While this is a book about important dates, history, and judicial philosophy, it’s also a story about faith and destiny. Scalia is like an action hero (the Spartan King Leonidas in 300 comes to mind) who has prepared his entire life to battle an invading, rampaging horde. In this case, the enemies are sloppy, convoluted thinking and secular liberalism. …

Rosen uncovers new information that is revelatory. While Scalia never said he felt any great destiny calling him to the Supreme Court, Rosen interviewed Father Robert Connor, one of Scalia’s oldest friends. Connor and Scalia attended Xavier together, and when Connor left medical school to join the priesthood, Scalia was called to make sure his friend knew what he was doing. It was 1959, and Connor won Scalia over with his argument for Opus Dei. Connor then asked his fellow 23-year-old what his plans were. “Oh,” Scalia replied. “I am going to the Supreme Court.” He would go to the right law firm, he said, then to Washington, and “from there, I will rise.”

That’s exactly what happened.