Tribute to Joseph Goldstein

Joseph Goldstein was the personification of the teacher and moral provocateur. Though extremely proud of the thousands of students that came under his tutelage during his distinguished academic career, Joe was never satisfied with what any of his students accomplished. He always insisted on more. He was among my mentors during my three years at Yale in the early '60s, always pressing me: Sharpen it.

Make it smarter. Take it further. Until the last year of his life, he never told me he was satisfied with anything I had ever written or done. Imagine how I must have felt when, finally, he praised one of my books without reservation.

Somehow, I think he knew it would be the last of my works he would have an opportunity to appraise. It was my final grade for the lifelong course I took from him in law, social science, and life.