No comments about Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.

2 comments about My Life As a Radical Lawyer.

1. I have read many autobiographies of lawyers and am a collector of books relating to real life court drama. Mr. Kunstler's (affectionally also known as Bill)autobiography is one of the best I've read. As a lawyer myself, I truly felt inspired by his actions in court. I can only wish in my lifetime as an advocate that I can be at least half of a court room lawyer he was. I highly recommend this book to all advocates and aspiring trial lawyers. This book is as good as Louis Nizer's "My Life In Court".



2. This book should be required reading for two sets of readers: All trial lawyers facing monstrous odds and all readers interested in the history of the United States from about 1956 to the present. The first time I read this book (five years ago, while in law school) I picked up very specific lessons regarding the practice of criminal defense law. The second time through (2002), I picked up very specific historical lessons about turbulent times in our nation's history (civil rights litigation in the 1960s, the counter-culture of the late 1960s, and the American Indian Movement).

   Of particular interest is the section on Mr. Kunstler's representation of a defendant in the 1993 WTC attacks.

2 comments about Slaying Dragons: The Truth Behind the Man Who Defended Paula Jones.

1. John Whitehead comes through as a real person with a not so promising background who emerges as a "bigger than life" Christian man. He truly makes one believe that with God all things are possible. Not only do we learn the truth about Paula Jones, but he also has met Clinton, Dobson, Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Anita Hill, Pat Robertson, Randall Terry, etc, etc. And, though the book is not about her, I am equally enthralled with his wife, Carol. What a woman! She should write her own book about her life with John and how she perservered. You will be fascinated about John Whitehead's "conversion story."



2. FROM A CHILD TO A MATURE MAN JOHN WHITEHEAD SHOWS STRENGTH AND INDEPENDENT THINKING. HIS COLLEGE REALTIONSHIP WITH A FUTURE JUDGE AND PRESIDENT GAVE HIM A PRIVY INSIGHT INTO WHAT MAKES THESE PEOPLE TICK.........I VERY MUCH ADMIRE JOHNS WIFE CAROL WHO BELIEVES AND SUPPORTS JOHN AND MOST OF HIS DECISIONS, NO MATTER WHAT, SHE IS HIS GREATEST FAN. I HAVE NOTICED HOW WE CHRISTIANS ARE APATHETIC, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, REFUSE TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT, HOWEVER THIS CHRISTMAS WAS UNDER TOTAL ATTACK AND THIS CHRISTIAN IS WIDE AWAKE, HOWEVER, IT TOOK AN ATTACK ON THE HOLLIDAY I LOVE MOST CHRISTMAS TO SPEAK OUT.........A GREAT BOOK, EDUCATIONAL IN FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, ADVENTEROUS AND SHOWS A VERY TIGHT AND LOVEABLE FAMILY................

1 comments about The Southern Judicial Tradition: State Judges and Sectional Distinctiveness, 1790-1890 (Studies in the Legal History of the South).

1. Fascinating, compelling, thought-provoking

1 comments about John Archibald Campbell: Southern Moderate, 1811-1889.

1. John Archibald Campbell's life and political philosophy illustrate the difficulties that Southern moderates faced in developing and implementing a solution to the problems of slavery and secession. Campbell opposed both slavery and secession. Campbell's legal gifts eventually led him to practice before the United States Supreme Court and subsequently to an appointment to the Supreme Court itself. During his service on the Supreme Court Campbell opposed the Filibusterers in the New Orleans region, wrote a concurring opinion in the Dred Scot case, and rejected nullification by the courts of Wisconsin. As a moderate Campbell was vilified by both Southern fire-eaters and Abolitionist radicals. Campbell served eight years (1853-1861) on the Supreme Court before resigning to become an assistant secretary in the Confederate War Department. After the war he practiced law in New Orleans where he eventually became the lead attorney in the Slaughterhouse Case. His views in this case prepared the way for the broad interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment in the Twentieth Century. This book gives a very solid story of the life and labors of an important lawyer of the 19th Century. This political biography is the first full life of John Archibald Campbell. It will be of great use to students of the Supreme Court, American history, and legal scholars as well as those who enjoy good biography. It belongs in most libraries.

3 comments about Stand Tall.

1. This book was recommended to me by friends in Michigan and it should be on everyone's bookshelf. Ike McKinnon's story is one of perseverence, dedication, and an incredible ability to remain above the fray and disease of society. It's pure inspiration to read about his life and how he rose above everything, not letting himself become tainted, to help people, help clean up the city of Detroit, and help straighten out its police department. It's motivational, inspiring, and Oprah should know about it!



2. I recommend this wonderful book for anybody who wants to become a police officer, especially African Americans and other minorities interested in this field. Dr. McKinnon does an excellent job with expressing his feelings about his experiences with the Detroit Police Department, racism, and why it was important for him to join the Detroit Police Department. Dr. McKinnon's book is a true defition of the American dream (especially for minorities) and I guarantee this book will inspire you to follow your dreams regardless of how tough it gets! I've met Dr. McKinnon once and I hope to meet him again so he can autograph my book. Get your copy today!



3. "Stand Tall" was probably the most self-serving autobiography I've ever read. On every other page of the book, McKinnon heroically battles racism. Somehow, with the institutional racism rampant in the Detroit Police Department, McKinnon manages to work as a patrol officer for only about 2 years. As a matter of fact, only about 20 pages of the book are dedicated to his patrol career.

   One telling story involved McKinnon chasing a man who ran away from a stolen car. McKinnon chases the man into an apartment building, and through the door of an apartment. The next thing he knows, he's staring down the barrels of automatic weapons being wielded by a nest of Black Panthers. McKinnon grabs his prisoner and backs out of this Mexican standoff to admonitions of "Be cool man.." from the leader of the Panthers. When he gets outside, a bunch of neighbors come out of their houses and form a protective circle around McKinnon and the prisoner to escort them out of harm's way. Touching. However, what the book doesn't address is what McKinnon did about the group of dangerous men armed with automatic weapons who just pointed them at a police officer! He probably had no case on the guy who ran away from the stolen car (he wasn't driving) but it looks like he chose to take THAT guy to jail rather than call in reinforcements to arrest a bunch of armed and dangerous felony suspects! Later in the book, McKinnon talks about a cop who was killed by the Black Panthers. I had to wonder if the Panther who killed him was one of the guys McKinnon let go.

   Within 2 years of being hired, McKinnon is assigned to a "gravy" job at Recruiting. Shortly after that, he's working directly for the mayor. Thus begins his meteoric rise to the top. "Stand Tall" is a cream-puff of a book that offers a detailed look at every positive aspect of McKinnon's career. It doesn't even pay lip service to any of the negative aspects that could conceivably cause him to be viewed in a negative light. For instance; why did McKinnon quit as chief of police in the middle of his friend and "homey" (his words, not mine) Dennis Archer's term as mayor? Did he just wake up one day and decide "Well, it's time for me to do something else. I think I'll bail out on Homey in the middle of his term." Or was there another reason? I guess we'll have to wait for someone else's biography to learn the answer to that one.

   The Detroit Police Department has a long-standing practice of arresting witnesses to crimes, especially homicides, with no probable cause that they did anything wrong, in order to intimidate them into providing information that they would not otherwise provide. Earlier in his career, McKinnon takes a dim view of arresting people in the absence of probable cause. However, as Chief, he lets the practice continue. Could it be that he's willing to sanction the violation of citizens' constitutional rights if it would help raise the DPD's dismally low clearance rate for homicides? I don't know, he never addresses the issue.

   McKinnon takes credit for everything he possibly can with virtually no mention of the efforts of his subordinates. The local media plays a bigger part in the book than the people who back him up as chief.

   McKinnon appears to take credit for personally solving the Nancy Kerrigan case. After the figure skater is bopped on the knee, Ike eventually asks her father where she is. He valiantly checks the pool in case the bad guys try to drown her, and the outside of the Westin Hotel in case someone tries to push her off a steep incline. He finally finds her in the last place he looks (her hotel room). McKinnon refers to the Kerrigan case as "an international story, the likes of which Detroit has never seen". Detroit had the Collingwood massacre of Purple Gang members, a nationally televised beating of suburban women by Detroit residents at the International Fireworks downtown, a former police chief who embezzled millions, status as "murder capitol" for several years, but a figure skater who gets assaulted is a story the likes of which the city has never seen? Sure.

   McKinnon leaves no truth unadulterated in his quest for hyperbole and melodrama. He describes the Rodney King beating as a case where police officers beat King while he was on the ground with a chain around his neck. A chain around his neck? He describes Detroit's own "Rodney King" incident as a situation where Malice Green was beaten by police officers and died right there in the street. Also not true. It's a point of pride with him that he saw to it that his officers were issued pepper spray after the Malice Green incident. Pretty proactive of Dr. McKinnon to wait until someone dies to equip his officers with something that other officers all over the state have had for years. I eagerly await "Stand Tall Part Deux" to read "the rest of the story".

5 comments about Civil Warrior: Memoirs of a Civil Rights Attorney.

1. A must read for anyone facing a fork in the road of life...to travel the safe, well paved road society has laid for us or to venture out onto a path all you own? Guy Saperstein's "The Civil Warrior" tells the story of one attorney who blazed his own trail in social causes and made the journey for women and minorites a little easier.



2. It's an interesting window into the life of a slacker-turned-lawyer who got drafted into class action work at a time when it was a no-money business for legal aid organizations. Love or hate plaintiffs' lawyers, it's interesting to see how he latched onto State Farm and didn't let go until they made huge changes and paid him and the people he represented a whole lot of money.
   The dates and case cites are spotty in here, so don't go into it looking to do historical or legal research. For that reason, it's easy to lose track of the cases' place in time, and alarming when you realize he's writing about companies were getting away with blatant discrimination in the '80s and even into the '90s.
   For a lawyer, his writing's pretty clear and concise. And the stories about him growing up and skating through school and law school in the 1960s are kind of charming.
   One really good point about it is that he waited a decade to write up his story, so there's a maturity and perspective in there that would've been missing had he decided to cash in by writing a book during his rock-star days.
   It's not the most exciting or revealing memoir you'll ever read, but it is a nice little story of how one of this country's most famous trial lawyers made his way in the profession.



3. It's a rare treat to read a book that challenges you to become a leader in your chosen craft while imparting specific useful information on its subject matter. If you enjoyed reading the Buffalo Creek Disaster, you'll love this book. Saperstein weaves a personal story within a narrative that you've already heard about in the news. This is the story that you haven't heard. Next time you hear people speak against class action attorneys, pull out your copy of this book and remember the great good that this one attorney has wrought through his craft.



4. Although Guy Saperstein probably wrote A CIVIL WARRIOR for a broad based audience, it is very worthwhile reading for attorneys, especially civil litigators. The book begins with a description of Guy Saperstein's childhood days in Southern California, continues with stories of his law school days and the beginnings of his public interest law career. Eventually, we learn of the historic employment discrimination cases he handled. The book is inspirational. Obviously, we are richer for the results Saperstein and and his colleagues obtained through the massive class action employment discrimination cases he launched. However, A CIVIL WARRIOR also gives encouragement and inspiration to the practicing attorney to go "the extra mile" for clients. Many practioners, I believe, would likely have settled much earlier in the various litigations in which Saperstein was involved. Saperstein's description of how his cases were screened, prepared and either tried or settled are completely engrossing.



5. Saperstein says lawyers work hard. I just finished this book and I am exhausted! It is amazing, and a credit to Saperstein, what one person can do when trained, unleashed and licensed to practice law. What we see is a young, intelligent, and questioning person, confronted with injustice, accept as seemingly his fate, personal responsibility to overcome it. And-- I recall an article about him some years ago in The California Lawyer, entitled "Rich Guy" Saperstein-- he is unapologetic that his work in the public interest has brought him wealth.

   It gave me chills to read again of those days of the 60s and law students and lawyers like Guy. Some might suggest one of my characters in my novel. "The Lawyers: Class of '69" was based upon Guy Saperstein. No. I could not even begin to create in fiction the very real life Guy Saperstein has led, as a member of that class of 1969 at Boalt Hall, and one of the most influential lawyers in America. An excellent read.

No comments about Love And Riot: Oscar Zeta Acosta And The Great Mexican American Revolt.

5 comments about To Punish and Protect: A DA's Fight Against a System That Coddles Criminals.

1. This was a very good short-intermediate length book, and it seems to have started lots of discussion - her name recognition in far-away places like Canada, California, and the Midwest seems to be huge, at least for a holder of a county office.



2. HATED IT ,SEEMS TO BE SELF ENDEARING FOR AN ARROGANT FAN BASE,I DIDNT SEEM TO COME ACROSS ANYTHING RELATING TO HER TRIP TO FL. WHERE SHE WAS SITED FOR ENDULGING HERSELF WITH EXOTIC CARS,ETC.
   NORE HER RESEMBLANCE TO THE CHARACTER IN CAPE FEAR,SHE STILL THINKS THE FBI ARE STEALTHALLY STALKING HER,THROUGH THE PHONES, AND WIRES IN HER CAR RADIO,SHE RELIES TO HEAVILLY ON PUBLICITY AND ,WELL, ETC.



3. excellent book ,i kind of had her figured out wrong.rub that lamp and she'll make it happen ..



4. This book provides a succinct view of the Criminal Justice System, from an angle which many outside of Law Enforcement rarely see: the plight of the victims to endure and relive the horrors brought on them by predators, in their quest for justice. "To Protect and Punish," screams for reform. With each story told, comes the need to advocate for changes in our penal laws which have become outdated.



5. I picked up this book expecting an exciting "Law and Order" overview of a prosecutor fighting the good fight against the criminals of society. While this book certainly covers that, it also includes heartfelt stories of victims overcoming the odds, and heartbreaking ones of victims being cheated by the system. It shows Mrs. Pirro's efforts to address the wrongs she writes about in this book, especially in regards to crimes against women, children, the elderly and minorities. Remarkably, it's also a pretty easy read - I was able to read it in 2 days. I would definitely encourage you to read this book.

No comments about Great American Lawyers: An Encyclopedia (2 Volumes).