Honouring Social JusticeEdited by Margaret E. Beare (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008)

Abstract

From the fitting aspirational title—Honouring Social Justice—to the last words of the last chapter—‘‘healthy democracy’’—this book is an eloquent and moving tribute to Dianne Martin—an activist, scholar, and teacher whose life was dedicated to social justice and who brought great integrity, passion, and humour to the difficult, demanding, and important work that was her life. The book cover is a green-tinged picture of a bench in a wooded area with a silver plaque. The picture is repeated in black and white on the title page. The facing page has a picture of Dianne, laughing and turning to connect to the reader with her eyes. This picture of Dianne sits on top of a second picture, a close-up of the plaque with its inscription: ‘‘In memory, Dianne Martin—2004: Your laughter echoes forever along these winding paths. From your C.B. [Cherry Beach] dog-owner friends.’’ It is a perfect beginning. While the rest of the book reflects Dianne’s work, the cover and title pages give us another aspect of Dianne, so that we have a fuller sense of this complex, much loved woman as we enter, with her, the dense and challenging world of fighting for social justice within the criminal law. Dianne is a strong presence throughout the book. There are sixteen chapters, plus an introduction. Each of the authors in the abstract to their contribution, links their chapter to Dianne’s work, making personal and intellectual connections that individually and cumulatively paint the picture of a firebrand person and of an awesome body of scholarly work. I loved these abstracts, and I wished for more—more stories about Dianne and more discussion of her work. The chapters are relatively short (most are between twenty and thirty pages), focused and accessible. Many of them will no doubt find their way into teaching materials as they provide a good mix of explanation and analysis. The cross references to each other and the linking to Dianne’s work give the book a sense of connection that I would have loved to have seen developed further. I wanted to be able to discuss and debate with the authors and to hear their responses to each other. I wanted to hear more from them and for them to dig deeper and push the questions and ideas further, to really challenge our thinking and our practice as the best of Dianne’s work did. However I ask too