No comments about The International Judge: An Introduction to the Men and Women Who Decide the World's Cases.

3 comments about Melvin Belli: King of the Courtroom.

1. Mark Shaw's revelatory tale about Melvin Belli is a page turner and fodder for movie . He was an American original who left an indelible mark on how law is practiced in the USA. Only in America could such a colorful and unorthodox person be produced and Mark Shaw's book paints his indelible portrait.
   
   Leda Sanford



2. Author Mark Shaw has gathered a lifetime of curious incidents and facts about a diverse character and assembled a delightful and informative biography. Regardless of your knowledge or interest in the practice or history of law, you will be captivated by the antics of Melvin Belli and his tremendous accomplishments that changed the American legal scene. From the fight against tobacco companies to the defense of Jack Ruby, from his charitable work to his sexual escapades, from his childhood to his sixth marriage, the man hiding behind the celebrity emerges in a colorful, riotous, and somewhat "larger than life" portrayal.



3. This is a fun and easy-to-read inside look at the life and times of the legend of the plaintiff's bar. Full of great tidbits and anecdotes.

5 comments about Prince Charming: The John F. Kennedy, Jr. Story.

1. This book does appear to offer a fairly accurate and close look at John Kennedy, Jr. But, it spends too much time discussing the Kennedys and Jackie. It should have focused more attention to the subject itself: John. A huge indiscrepancy is that John Jr. was born on Thanksgiving Day. Any good fact checker could have easily discovered that November 25, 1960 was a Friday, not a Thursday. When an author commits such a mistake, their credibility for accuracy of the rest of material in the book has to be questioned. As another reviewer wrote, any magazine offers a better biography of John Kennedy, Jr. than this book does. The best part of this book, however small, was the photos.



2. This book had many good points, and I finished it fairly quickly. It made me laugh out loud, and at other poignant moments I cried. I enjoyed reading about John's college exploits, his years as an assistant D.A. and details of his relationships with the ladies. It was vividly written, capturing my imagination in a way that presented me with a good sense of his splendid personality, in turn giving me an evengreater admiration of the man. Too much time, I think was devoted to his early childhood days, and I was disappointed that missing was a major portion of his later life after the debut of GEORGE, and of his married life. I would recommend this book, though, to anyone wanting a keepsake to revisit the memory of our beloved John Jr.



3. This back of the book cover led me to believe there would be interesting information on his wife, Carolyn. Ha! There was practically no information on his wife. I learned more about her in a single magazine article then from this book. It has the basic geographic info: born, lived, schooled. Boring. If you are a diehard JFK JR then go for it, otherwise there are much better books on him. If you are looking for Carolyn info, look elsewhere. Period.



4. this book is nothing but gossip.this lady prints facts people already know. dont waste your money



5. As a generation "Xer" this book intrigued me for one shallow purpose at the forthright. John F. Kennedy, Jr. was and will always remain in the public's eye as a sex symbol. I was glad that the author started out with something familiar when introducing her book. Beginning with the how and why of John's appointment to the sexiest man alive was something that I remembered and could identify with. Without any knowledge of the Kennedy "clan" as she terms them, and even less historical knowledge, I could identify with the placement of John on the cover of People magazine. While I had heard of President Kennedy's alleged affairs it came as a shock to see other members of the Kennedy family hold such little esteem for marriage vows. The author really brings Jackie Kennedy down to earth and sure makes me long for her happiness and admire the strength of such a delicate looking woman. She certainly isn't short on male companionship and some of her relationships leave you wondering why she didn't just go it alone. The details behind John's relationships are intriguing and the relationship with Madonna was particularly surprising to this reader. The author paints the picture of John being less than the smartest Kennedy but far outshining with his personality, athletic abilities, and Kennedy charisma. The well-known ending is tragic and left me with the same sinking feeling as I did watching the T.V. hoping his plane would be found or by some chance to find out he hadn't been on board at all. A good read for anyone wanting more information on the Kennedy family and most importantly on John Jr.

5 comments about A Lawyer's Life.

1. Great reading; in depth information from a perspective other than the media of true life events as told by an intelligent, compassionate individual that was truly interested in the well-being of all mankind.



2. I thought the readings from chapters 1 through 9 were great. I mean Johnnie Cochran took the reader through cases familiar, and unfamiliar. In detail how some police are just terrible, how the system has bias in who will be the victim. But, the last chapter 10. Oh MY! If you dont read the book, just read chapter 10 it'll make you rethink alot of things. Its powerful-Johnnie goes on stating how the system has failed so many, how corporations get away with discrimination. His life and what its like to be a lawyer. Its just great. Read the book, and if you dont do that. Just read the last chapter, number 10 its worth it.



3. I think it's always good when a storyteller can take us inside the courts and tell us what happens there. And according to this book's author, every lawyer is a storyteller. I believe him.
   
   A LAWYER'S LIFE was written by Johnnie Cochran. I've never seen the man. Not in person, not on TV, nowhere. Are you shocked? I was very careful to avoid all press coverage of the OJ trial, simply because anything that heavily covered should be avoided.
   
   The book's a compelling read, and OJ only gets a few pages. A good proofreader wouldn't hurt, and someone really needed to clean up the repetition. But I'm only nitpicking here.
   
   No hate mail, please. Reading a book like this is about hearing the author's side, understanding it, thinking about the issues, and reaching your own verdict, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I'd bet you can find this one in your local library by now. Pick it up, start reading, and see what happens.



4. This book is a must read for African American lawyers or if you are considering a degree in either law enforcement or any other legal profession. Cochran is candid and tells the facts. It is a real eye opener about the US legal system.



5. Cochran, the cool crusader
   Brian Gilmore
   
   A LAWYER'S LIFE
   
   By Johnnie Cochran with David Fisher
   
   St. Martin's. $25.95.
   
   It was on that fateful day approximately eight years ago, when Los Angeles attorney Johnnie Cochran agreed to represent O.J. Simpson in his trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman, that the modern era of the African-American attorney began. The public's perception of black attorneys in the United States was forever changed by Cochran's demonstration, to millions worldwide, that a black lawyer could be cool and competent in the courtroom. Of course, black attorneys, male and female, have always been capable, but Cochran, with the generous assistance of Court TV and countless other media outlets, made the case to the American public.
   
   Cochran has loomed even larger since then, so it is no accident that we are now offered his second memoir since the end of the Simpson trial. Much more opinionated than Journey to Justice, the new book, A Lawyer's Life, is akin to memoirs by so-called legends of the law, such as Conrad Lynn's There Is a Fountain and William Kunstler's My Life as a Radical Lawyer, even though Cochran is a bit different from those famous crusaders for justice. He believes in justice, too, and pursues it. But he also likes to dress immaculately and says so. He isn't afraid to say that he enjoys being paid for his talents, either. And he isn't afraid of the bright lights of the media.
   
   This book could have been called Johnnie Cochran: My Struggle Against Police Misconduct. That's because Cochran exposes in meticulous detail some of the most striking examples of police misconduct and racist behavior in California, New York and New Jersey. In A Lawyer's Life, you will meet William Anthony Leonard, 19 years old, shot to death by the police while opening a window. Leonard, according to Cochran, was baby-sitting at the time to earn extra money. The police officer who saw him opening the window saw him only as a black man and "assumed he was a burglar."
   
   There is also Phillip Johns, shot to death by the police in his bed because they had received a wrong address from an informant. And Ron Settles, a standout college football player, who was found hanging from the bars in his cell after he was arrested during a bogus traffic stop in an affluent section of Los Angeles. Settles, Cochran suggests, was one of the many victims of the infamous L.A. police choke hold that killed so many men of color over the years. And there is Leonard Deadwyler, shot to death by a Los Angeles policeman after being stopped for speeding through residential neighborhoods. Deadwyler was trying to get his pregnant wife, who was in labor, to the hospital on time. Cochran, who lost the $3-million wrongful death civil suit he brought on behalf of Deadwyler's wife, states passionately that "no case affected me more than the shooting of Leonard Deadwyler."
   
   Cochran's crusade against police misconduct and racist behavior culminated in the Simpson trial, where the naked bigotry of the LAPD was exposed in the person of Mark Furhman. Referring to the now- famous screenplay tapes as the reason he became involved in the trial, Cochran is unapologetic about his tactics. Furhman, according to Cochran, was "talking about his life as a cop. Framing people, setting up people, killing people." Cochran cannot understand why the tapes were never released to the public, considering that Furhman has become a successful author. "If people were permitted to hear these tapes," Cochran adds, "I feel confident that Furhman's career would end quite abruptly and he would be forced to crawl back into his hole, never to be heard from again."
   
   A Lawyer's Life also includes Cochran's journey to New York to work for Court TV, and the police brutality case stemming from the vicious assault on Abner Louima. Cochran made history when he broke down the "blue wall of silence" by suing the city's powerful police union. He also includes the Amadou Diallo killing, even though here he met with one of his biggest professional disappointments. Diallo's mother initially hired Cochran to handle the case for her but fired him later because he was not always immediately available.
   
   Not far away in New Jersey, Cochran represented four young black men who were racially profiled on the New Jersey Turnpike. The young men, now known as the "New Jersey Four," were pulled over and eventually sprayed with gunfire by the police during the traffic stop. The case became synonymous with racial profiling nationwide, and cost New Jersey nearly $13 million in damages.
   
   Finally, after detailing his representation of hip-hop magnate Sean "Puffy" Combs, Cochran takes time, among other things, to discuss the possible lawsuit he is contemplating with other attorneys to seek reparations for slavery. He admits he doesn't really have any answers yet. "Who are the plaintiffs?" he asks. "Who are the defendants? What remedy do we propose? Is there a statute of limitations?" These are, of course, daunting questions.
   
   Yet if you read A Lawyer's Life, you come away knowing that soon Johnnie Cochran, great-grandson of a slave, will provide answers to them all. Then, as expected, the cameras will start rolling.
   
   Brian Gilmore, a public interest attorney and the author of Jungle Nights and Soda Fountain Rags: Poem for Duke Ellington, wrote this review for the Washington Post.
   
   Copyright The Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.

5 comments about The Rehnquist Court and the Constitution.

1. The Rehnquist Court and the Constitution is not light reading, but for those who are interested in the high court, it is good reading. Yarbrough provides a concise examination of each Justice, including his or her background, confirmation hearing, and the political climate of that hearing. He captures the essence of each Justice as both jurist and human being. He then allows the reader to infer the interaction of those philosophies, personalities and egos on the direction that he perceives for significant constitutional issues. He does this without much, if any, editorial comment, though at times his own constitutional philosophy appears to peek out just a bit. Although this book is a bit heavy for anyone other than a constitutional scholar, it is well worth reading. Any student, teacher, judge, lawyer or just plain "court watcher" will appreciate this glimpse into the most secret and perhaps most powerful branch of our government.



2. In terms of informational content and comprehensiveness, this text is quite good. Yarbrough cites many sources and gives the essence of most of the opinions on the cases he covers. That is to say that a given case may have three or four opinions, as justices can agree on the same verdict for different reasons, and Yarbrough does a fine job of explaining each on most of the decisions covered. My huge qualm with the work is the simple fact that Yarbrough commits one of the biggest sins possible in scholarly work: he sharply biases his work without seeming to. His language is subtly biased, and an unwary reader could easily be manipulated.



3. Mr. Yarbrough has a fine reputation as a leading judicial biographer: his previous works on Hugo Black, and the two Justices Harlan were impressive, detailed and interesting. With "The Rehnquist Court" he pumps out a minor achievement and a heavily slanted analysis of recent Constitutional decisions. There's no denying the hostility toward conservative/strict-constructionist judges and viewpoints and this, as a previous poster noted, deeply taints the work overall. In addition, Yarbrough's style (which has always tended to the dry and tedious) is here especially mind-numbing: the interesting constitutional issues under debate are hidden amongst irrelevant facts and long-winded prose. As a whole, I found the book very disappointing and the steep price tag wholly unwarranted.



4. i think if you go through this book you would realise justice is not blind but very racialy prejudiced i would prefer straight shooter brilliant jusice scalia,excellent book



5. In this work Tinsley Yarbrough seeks to summarize the work of the Rehnquist Court (up until 2000) concerning the seven dominate issues of constitutional adjudication. Yarbrough examines subjects such as governmental power, freedom of expression and religion, criminal justice, and unenumerated rights. Begining with a description of the appointments of the justices who conservatives hoped would finally kill the last remnants of the liberal Warren Court era, Yarbrough examines each of the most important issues and concludes that the Rehnquist Court has failed, at least generally, to achieve this hope. Instead, it has walked something of a more moderate role, sometimes limiting precedent but often reaffirming the core principles of the liberal activism of old.

   The work is good but it should not be your first introduction to the Supreme Court. It is densely packed with information and is probably best for a reference work to use when you reach a new area of coursework. My biggest problem with Yarbrough's work here is that it is great at synthesizing the many cases of the Rehnquist era but it is light on meaningful analysis and criticism of those cases. Description only goes so far and I think the book would have benefited from a stronger analytical view of the 14 years (then) of the Rehnquist Court.

2 comments about I'm Not Done Yet: Keeping At It, Remaining Relevant, And Having The Time Of My Life.

1. ed koch, america's best known mayor in modern times, continues his sucess as a fascinating author. this book offers insights into how he moved from mayor of new york city, into jobs keeping him equally motivated and renowned. if character is everything, then ed koch has everything. a page turner of the first order, it pulls you in from the first page. anyone who has dreamed of coming to new york, been to new york, flown over new york, or heard of ed koch will find the book fascinating. we should all be as relevant and involved as ed koch.



2. To use the favorite word by which Ed Koch describes his life experiences -- this book is "enjoyable." It is autobiographical/philosophical, revealing, funny; I couldn't put it down. If you like Ed Koch (which I do -- I'm envious of his self-absorption), you can hear him on every page, ultimately as the educator that he is. It is a must-read, particularly for Post-War Baby Boomers, to see a view of age 75 that most of us didn't see/don't see in our parents. The book is truly inspirational in a very realistic way. "Ed Koch, I hope you live forever, and if you can't, I hope God takes you all at once as is your desire and not in pieces like 'salami.'"

5 comments about The Keeper of the Flame: The Supreme Court Opinions of Justice Clarence Thomas 1991-2005.

1. Yes Clarence Thomas is a very originalist Supreme Court Justice
   indeed! I haven't heard justice Thomas speak much, but his
   opinion writing is great, with both feet planted on the center
   of a rock solid US Constitution.
   
   This book is right on track, and we should thank the author
   of "Keeper of the Flame" for producing this much needed book
   which happens to be an effective `rebuttal' of the prejudice
   and UGLY confirmation hearings that Clarence Thomas was
   subjected to..
   
   The mind of Clarence Thomas is very well sharpened..
   A strong intellect such as he possesses garners facts..
   just the facts..then it digests, develops and communicates
   very consistent rulings as he has done throughout his tenure
   as a modern era Supreme Court Justice.
   
   Justice Thomas' Jurisprudential history the author has shown
   clearly in this book to inform us in this most succinct and
   powerful way. This book is indeed quite fascinating.
   
   The author is very qualified to write on Supreme Court's
   degree of departure from the required conformance to the
   US Constitution, and Clarence Thomas' tendency to defend
   the Original Intent of the Constitution in his opinions,
   dissents and rulings. The Author is a long time professor
   of constitutional law, and has argued on the appellate level,
   including some cases argued before the US Supreme Court!
   
   In my view, no one reading this book through should ever fail
   to gain a feeling of profound respect and appreciation for
   Clarence Thomas' jurisprudence, driven in the center lane
   of "Constitutional Originism' -- he does his utmost to defend
   the US Constitution he knows profoundly, from being trampled
   upon by efforts of other justices..even judges from lower
   courts, to "make laws" from the bench by judicial wordsmithing.
   
   Again, Great book!! Talk about food for legal thought!!!



2. KEEPER OF THE FLAME
   
   Stanley Gray
   
   The charge that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is an Uncle Tom "doing the white man's bidding" is so unfair and so untrue that it makes me want to cry! Thomas is definitely his own man, and it is abundantly clear that Justice Thomas truly understands what it means, and what it takes, to uphold and defend our Constitution.
   
   Holzer's book, surprisingly easy to read, gave me a better understanding of our Constitution and of the workings of the Supreme Court. Most importantly for me, The Keeper of the Flame gave me new ammunition to use in my attempts to persuade fellow blacks that Justice Thomas's decisions in support of the Constitution should be better appreciated.
   
   I especially found it refreshing that race plays absolutely no role in The Keeper of the Flame. Holzer wrote about Clarence Thomas the thinker, not Clarence Thomas the black thinker.
   
   Professional or layman, butcher or baker, all Americans need to read Professor Holzer's book. I'm not sure that I wouldn't make it mandatory reading for high school seniors. And for sure, it is a must read for those entering, or already in, the legal profession.
   
   If I were Professor Holzer I would send a copy to every member of the senate so that they would understand the proper questions to ask future Supreme Court nominees, and so that they'll be reminded of the crucial importance of their task.
   __________________
   Stanley Gray writes froj San Gabriel, California.



3. Professor Holzer has cleared away the cloud surrounding the jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas. In the ongoing debate between those who adhere to the idea of a "living constitution" and those who seek original meaning and intent, "The Keeper of the Flame" is essential reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of each viewpoint. This book also shines a bright light on the Justice who might be called the stepchild of "conservative" Supreme Court Justices. Preconceived notions and popular public images of Clarence Thomas are swept away with powerful and very readable text supported, always, by the only real authority on Justice Thomas' judicial philosophy, his own words.
   
   We learn that Justice Thomas' opinions are well thought out and often eloquent. For anyone who has read, or even read of, Supreme Court opinions over the years, it is evident that the Court as a whole has often struggled and equivocated over the principles it applies. But, not Clarence Thomas. Whether you agree or disagree with his judicial philosphy, once you read this book you will never think of Justice Thomas in the same way he has often been portrayed.
   
   Professor Holzer does a masterful job of placing Clarence Thomas in his proper place and, as an added bonus, Holzer gives us a concise and easy to read synposis of the important constitutional issues the Supreme Court has faced over the years.



4. Henry Mark Holzer's, The Keeper of the Flame is a fascinating and enlightening examination of Justice Clarence Thomas' brilliant legal mind, his integrity and his strong moral base. Holzer brings to light the incredible purity of one of the nation's best thinkers. He does this by citing the Justice's own words and analyzing those words with the greatest degree of objectivity and clarity. Holzer reveals himself to be a master-scholar of Constitutional Law guiding us through the history of its creation by the Founding Fathers and how it has come to be interpreted by the Supreme Court. He helps us to truly understand the Constitution and its undeniable value to our free society. He takes us through the Bill of Rights so that we know and can appreciate how they apply to our own lives. Professor Holzer is not only a fine scholar-he is a fine writer and a fine teacher. His exceptional skills make this a marvelous educational text, yet a completely easy and enjoyable read.
   
   I was especially impressed by the examples Justice Thomas' unequivocal dissents. He pulls no punches in taking on the Court's majority decision makers when he disagrees. He repudiates with unimpeachable logic and fierce moral conviction. Holzer has proven him to be not only "the keeper of the flame," but to be a man of heroic proportions. We should all be grateful that Clarence Thomas sits on the highest court in the land.
   
   I plan to purchase several copies of The Keeper of the Flame to donate to local school and public libraries; an idea I would hope others, after reading it, might embrace.
   
   Jeff Warren, teacher
   Los Angeles



5. For a decade and a half now, Clarence Thomas has been a proverbial "thorn in the side" of liberalism. They just don't know how to take someone who goes against every fiber of their being. The American system so successfully constructed by liberal lawmakers has simply failed them, therefore, they do the only thing they know how, they attack him. With a tenaciously dogged vengeance, they attack him. A black man is suppose to stay on the plantation and be a good democrat, keeping them in office while waiting for the next handout. A black man in America isn't supposed to pull himself up out of poverty. The Democrat created and nurtured system just isn't designed for such an anomaly. So they attack him. At every venue, with every ruling, and for unfounded reasons other than shear loathing, they attack him.
   
   For fourteen years now, only Justice Antonin Scalia has joined Justice Clarence Thomas as the only consistent voices to the original intent of the Constitution. Over the fourteen year span, from 1991 to 2005, as a presiding Supreme Court Judge, Justice Thomas rendered 327 judicial opinions. Each opinion is presented in the book, THE KEEPER OF THE FLAME by Henry Mark Holzer. This extraordinary piece of work goes far beyond previous works regarding Thomas' distinguished career, and is presented in common language that those of us with non-judicial backgrounds can easily comprehend.
   
   This is not a biography of the life of Clarence Thomas. For that, see Clarence Thomas: A Biography, by Andrew Peyton Thomas, a 600-page behemoth that chronicles every aspect of his life. No, this is a close examination of every one of the 327 written opinions Thomas rendered from appointment until the books publication. This book lends clear and concise illustration, primarily in Thomas' own words, to his methodology on rendering decisions and his positions on fundamental Constitutional questions.
   
   Much like Ronald Reagan, Clarence Thomas will never see a national public fully cognizant of his greatness, nor willing to acknowledge his accomplishments. His continual display of an incessant desire to judiciously adhere to the principles upon which our country was founded and our laws enacted should have left Thomas with an unquestioned legacy, but because he doesn't "fit the mold" they attack him. This book is a brilliant presentation which will, hopefully, open the eyes of the masses who have bought into the character assassinations this man has endured while upholding the values our forefathers cherished.
   
   It remains to be seen as yet, whether Justices Thomas and Scalia still stand alone as our last great hope in returning to the virtue that once was America, but we must pray that the recent, and near future appointments to the country's highest court will stand beside Thomas and Scalia as bastions of American sovereignty and freedom. This book lends critical insight to one of the two great Justices of our time and clearly illustrates the importance of future appointees.
   
   Monty Rainey
   [..]

4 comments about Abe Fortas: A Biography.

1. This book is typical of contemporary judicial biography: the author has selected her left judge, then said "ooh" and "ah" over virtually everything he ever did. Apparently, she made friends with his widow in the process. Truly pitiful.



2. I do believe the first "reviewer" is a right-wing hack who has never read the book, but just wants to trash it. That review should be deleted.

   Justice Fortas is one of the most abused figures in American jurisprudence. Ms. Kalman, using various facts not cited by the first "reviewer" (because the first "reviewer" didn't know them, because he/she hadn't read the book he/she was dissing), particularly Fortas' stellar work in the field of civil rights and for the poor of all races (the Gideon case being a shining example), shows that Justice Fortas was a much better judge, a much better legal scholar, and a much better human being, than the persons that Nixon, Reagan and Bush nominated for the court - many of whom, such as the infamous Judge Carswell, later ended their lives in disgrace utterly eclipsing the politically-engineered humiliation of Justice Fortas.

   An engrossing read.




3. Laura Kalman's biography of Abe Fortas is a fascinating look at the life of one of this country's most controversial judicial figures. Fortas, whose nomination as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was blocked by LBJ's political opponents, emerges from the book as a sympathetic figure, a wise counselor and judge, and, fundamentally, human. Kalman has done her homework, meticulously researching the life and times of Fortas to create what should stand as the definitive work on his life for some time to come.



4. We don't hear much about Abe Fortas (1890-1910) these days--the last time I saw a reference to him was in connection with the allegations of cronyism levied at Harriet Miers during her brief period as an Associate Justice nominee. This judicial biography first appeared in 1990, and it continues to be the definitive analysis of Fortas, his public career, and his private life. The book reflects the typical Laura Kalman thoroughness (there are some 83 pages of invaluable notes), clarity of writing, and cogency of analysis. No other book, monograph, or article can compare with the author's acute and perceptive analysis of this most interesting figure (although Bruce Murphy's somewhat "sensational" biography is a definite contribution). While Fortas' (now) late widow, Carolyn Agger assisted in providing information, this is by no stretch an "authorized biography"--Kalman is plenty critical of Abe at various points.
   
   Fortas had just a fascinating life even before he joined the Supreme Court. The book is organized in three sections, begining with "New Dealer," which covers Fortas student years at Yale Law School, his work with Jerome Frank (another legendary character) at the AAA, his brief stint teaching at YLS, his move to the SEC under Bill Douglas, and his eventual rise as an Under Secretary to Harold Ickes at Interior. All this before he was even 35 or so.
   
   The second section is devoted to Fortas as "Washington Lawyer," of great interest to us D.C. legal types. Here is discussed the formation of Arnold, Fortas, & Porter, its involvement in the early loyalty cases and Congressional investigations of Communist infiltration (?) during the 1950's, and Fortas' masterful argument in Gideon v. Wainwright ensuring the right to counsel in serious federal criminal cases. Kalman interviewed a number of the members of the firm during this period, including Abe Krash, as sources.
   
   The next section focuses on Fortas as a Justice and how he got there and why he resigned. Here Kalman is particularly effective in not only analyzing the unique long-standing relationship between LBJ and Fortas, but in dispelling the still often heard myth that Fortas didn't want the nomination and was forced into it by Johnson. This is one of the strongest sections of the book. There is some interesting discussion of one of Kalman's favorite topics, Yale Legal Realism, and how this might have impacted on the Justice. His continuing role as advisor and even participant in LBJ Vietnam policy is dissected. The financial improprieties that led first to Fortas' withdrawl as a nominee for Chief Justice, and eventually to his resignation from the Court are dealt with in a highly analytical and non-judgmental manner. The involvement with the Nixon administration in forcing Fortas off the Court is also examined, though I must disagree with Kalman that the meeting between the creepy Attorney General John Mitchell and Earl Warren where potential incriminating information was disclosed to the Chief was inappropriate. Finally, Fortas returns to private practice (although not with A&P)and again demonstrates his impressive legal skills.
   
   Another extraordinary contribution by Kalman to the professional literature, of profit to anyone interested in Fortas, YLS, the New Deal, the dynamic 1950's and the Supreme Court under Warren. It is also just an interesting read.

5 comments about "Ready for the People": My Most Chilling Cases as a Prosecutor.

1. As a criminal defense attorney, I usually avoid "true accounts" written by prosecutors as they tend to be one-sided, self-serving renditions of cases that could be won by a first year law student. The usual story involves a clear cut case where the District Attorney is representing the forces of right (the good people of the State) while the defense is usually some bad dude who deserves a long vacation in Prison. Of course the good guys prevail and the prosecutor is the hero. Good and Evil, Right and Wrong are clearly defined and everybody leaves happy. Not so with Ms. Batt's book. Besides her personal disappointment at the result of one of her cases, she manages to show that all is not black and white - urban life and particularly the criminal justice system present a myriad of situations where the lines become blurred. Her cases are interesting in that there are victims - individuals who by virtue of their own life choices are often viewed as not deserving of protection by the law and the system. Besides showing the underside of life, Batt also manages to forcefully demonstrate the maxim that "no man is above the law and no man is below it."
   A great read, colorful, fast paced and real...I loved it.



2. Marissa has the heart of a warrior. Her stories are classic story telling with spell binding revelations of what the truth is when it comes to crimes and the criminal mind. Her attention to detail, coupled with a sense of the world of the victim, allows the reader to be a prosecutor seeking justice for the people. The criminal procedural aspects of the criminal courts are cleanly explained with no chance of misunderstanding that lawyering is still an art when done with a heart. Marissa injects the calmness of her buddhist philosophy into the psyche of the reader to allow a deeper appreciation of the law and the victim equation.



3. Marissa is erudite, quick, fun, funny, committed to social justice and truth, and and an acute observer of human behavior. Her friend Johnnie Cochran describes her (in the introduction!) as "a prosecutor's prosecutor. She is full of zeal for her profession and possesses an insider's knowledge of the criminal justice system." She's also devoted herself to Buddhism for over 30 years, as well as to the mastery of the culinary arts. All of these elements figure in her very unusual book.

   Besides telling three compelling and hair-raising tales, Marissa shares aloud the unspoken rules of the courtroom, and offers appreciative and insightful looks into the lives of law enforcement professionals, and denizens of South Central LA and the gay demimonde of Hollywood.

   As a skillful storyteller, she is compassionate without becoming maudlin, and righteous without losing her sense of humor.

   I am looking forward to her next book, which I understand is under way!




4. What makes this book so compelling is that you get to hear the perspective of the actual prosecutor in the cases described. Through Marissa Batt's words, you get a virtual tour of the way the Los Angeles legal system works, or in some cases doesn't work. You are introduced to characters that actually inhabit Los Angeles, who actually went through the situations described - cases that are so intense and bizarre, they seem unbelievable. Through it all, you get a comprehensive version of the legal system mirroring human lives and decisions, as seen through the eyes of a person who does their job with integrity, intensity, and strength of character. READ THIS BOOK! It is a thorougly enjoyable read though shocking and extremely upsetting at times.



5. ...of the L.A. justice system. I won't repeat the other reviews, but two or three things deserve note. First, Johnnie Cochran wrote the introduction...high praise indeed. Second, the appendix - "Twenty-five rules for giving effective testimony" - is interesting reading in itself. Overall, the book is not compelling reading, not forcing you to read it in one sitting, but it's interesting and varied. I consumed it in three sittings if memory serves. The pace is generally good, although I felt the Buddhism dragged a bit, but that was only a couple of instances. So - recommended - *especially* if you are a fan of mysteries set in Los Angeles! I await Marissa Batt's next work with more than a little interest.

3 comments about Shattered: In the Eye of the Storm.

1. This book gives an overall view of what truely happened from the time Nicole and Ron's tragic death occured to the time O.J.'s ridiculous first trial took place. I admire Faye Resnicks courage and strength for standing up for her beautiful friend and for what she believes in. Nicole was a colorful person full of life and love, and here Faye shows reality and honesty in the aftermath of Nicole's death. Many people took advantage of this awful crime to benefit professionally or financially, and here Faye tells it like it is.



2. The title of my review says it all. Resnick is obviously a very strong woman to bite her lip and tell the heartbreaking stories behind her best friend Nicole's marriage/death, as well as the justice sytem's betrayal of American trust with it's handling of OJ. She not only describes it all in great specific detail, but shows the emotion' and feelings she had toward it all, making us feel as if we were right there with her through all of it; that is where the strength of 'Shattered' (and of 'Shattered's' ability to so well expose the untruths and injustices of the whole Nicole/OJ mess) truly lies. I do wish one thing, though-that she could have written more about Ron Goldman and his involvement in all of it because I never have been able to find out much about him. Great book, Ms Resnick!



3. The truth about how the "Dream Team" was able to buy justice via their questionable-indeed, deplorable- tactics. I admire Ms. Resnick a lot because of her courage and willingness to tell the truth about what went on in and behind "The Trial Of The Century". A must-read.