Book Description

If the book in question is Random Reminiscences of Sixty Years of Law Practice and the life examined is that of Dean Stockett Edmonds, it can be. Narrated with all of the verve and wit of John Phillips Marquand's Pulitzer prize-winning novel The Late George Apley, this recently discovered memoir charts Edmonds's long career as an iron man of patent law. Beginning with his early days working for the Treasury Department of the United States and his initial serendipitous association in 1914 with Pennie, Davis & Goldsborough, the book deals primarily with his lengthy tenure and all of the ensuing permutations of the firm during the course of sixty years. Written in a style evocative of yesteryear, whether the subject is the patent for the Marconi wireless telegraph or any one of the eleven cases that Dean Edmonds argued before the United States Supreme Court, this inviting tome will make readers everywhere long to pull up a wing chair, cuddle up in front of the roaring fire, and prepare to be highly entertained. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Poorly organized, written and edited
As a physician I looked forward to reading this, but it is poorly organized, written and edited. The author bounces back and forth within a chapter. I expected a straight discourse on each case instead there was a mishmash. For example in one chapter I thought he was going to discuss two malpractice cases that Lincoln defended. Instead there is an eassay on Medical Malpractice from 1830s through the 1850s. In another chapter about a malpractice on a broken leg that was not set as the patient wanted, there is a three page discourse on all the medical literature that Lincoln COULD have used. IN the end the case was setteld, but then we never find out the particulars of the settlement, why it was settled or such.Overall a major disappointment for me.

lincoln the lawyer
Like everything else concerning Lincoln's life, his law practice has acquired the patina of legend over the years. Mr. Spiegel's book does an excellent job of dispelling myths and presenting Lincoln as a well respected attorney with a thriving practice. The strongest part of the book are the introductory materials and the first two chapters. Lincoln is shown to be willing to argue any side of a case based on his clients' needs. In a case where two men had a monetary dispute Lincoln was hired by one man for the trial and by the other man during the appeal. Reamrks about the difficulty assessing an attorney's effectiveness based on the won-loss record are well considered.
However, later chapters seem somewhat unfocused. The author adds interesting tidbits unrelated to the topic and outside the time of Lincoln's practice. I had hoped that a ten year research project would focus more extensively on his actual practice. Still, this is a good reference for scholars and Lincoln "buffs."

Abraham Lincoln WAS a Shrewd Lawyer
Many people believe that Abraham Lincoln was just a hick lawyer. This book cites more than 60 cases and shows that Lincoln was a top notch shrewd, sophisticated lawyer. In addition, Lincoln took on all types of cases and earned a good iving. He represemterd a slave owner even though he opposed the idea of slavery. He defended people accussed of murder and he prosecuted murderers. He represented corporations and he handled many individual bad debt cases. It was particularly interesting to read about Lincoln's daily mixture of law, politics and activities in the society of his time. For the first time, this book uses newly discovered legal documents about Lincoln's practice and the author describes cases that were previously unknown. There is a large mass of references and a substantial bibliography - about 40 pages of material. If lincoln had not been elected president, there is no doubt that he would have become one of the leading lawyers in the nation. Obviously, lawyers will enjoy this book along with historians and the general public. I heartedly recommend this book.

A truly astounding portrait of a great legal mind
A. Lincoln Esquire: A Shrewd, Sophisticated Lawyer In His Time by Allen D. Spiegel (Professor of Medicine and Community Health, State University of New York Health science Center, Brooklyn, New York) is a unique study of an often overlooked aspect of the President who saw America through the Civil War. Studying Abraham Lincoln as a lawyer, A. Lincoln Esquire focuses upon his tireless work as a dedicated litigator facing down a tremendous caseload. Exhaustively researched for ten years, filled with legal papers as primary sources and presenting more than sixty of Lincoln's cases, A. Lincoln Esquire is a truly astounding portrait of a great legal mind - whose far-reaching career in the court of law was curtailed only by the higher calling of the nation at large. A. Lincoln Esquire is a seminal, ground breaking Lincoln biography, and a highly recommended addition to academic and community library collections.

Excellent view of Lincoln's unknown law cases!
I liked the mixture of Abraham Lincoln's law cases with his politics and activities within the society of his time. He handled all types of cases and was not a hick lawyer. I was surprised to learn that he defended slave owners despite his opposition to slavery itself. Furthermore, I learned that Lincoln handled medical malpractice and sexually-related slander cases. I highly recommend this book to historians, medical professionals and the general public. Read it and enjoy it! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A very good examination of a controversial figure
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.

Gideon's Champion Finally Gets a Posthumous Fair Hearing
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.

Pitiful, sycophantic.
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. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Reviews (12)

Excruciating
This book relates the details of the life of Gerry Spence, a well-known trial lawyer.From his earliest days of life through the beginnings of his second marriage, Spence reveals to us what his life was like, who his influences were, and how he reacted.The driving focus of the book is Spence's mother, who took her own life when he was a young man.At the time of her death, she and Spence had had a falling out, and Spence sees much of the rest of his life as trying to make peace with her.At the end of this book, some of Spence's famous cases and clients are mentioned in an epilogue; however, these topics are not discussed in the memoir section at all.

As an outsider to Spence's family, this book was extremely hard to get through.Some of the details of his early life in rural Wyoming were quite interesting, and he certainly reveals some of his character as he variously compares arguing in the courtroom to wild game hunting or playing poker.The stories of his first marriage and its breakup, and how he took up with another woman are not exactly things to be proud of, and I'm not sure his family would really want to see these details published.When his marriage was on the rocks, he decided to sell his family's home in Wyoming together with all their possessions and start life anew in Mill Valley, California.Within a month, though, he abandoned his family in Mill Valley, where they were far from relatives, friends or any other people who might provide emotional support, to go back to his mistress in Wyoming.I couldn't help thinking about Judith Wallerstein's book about children of divorce ("Second Chances") when I read this section.For her studies, she chose families facing divorce in the early 1970s living in a town in California.Was it Mill Valley where she did her studies?Did she include the four Spence children in her work?Was it the Spence children whose standard of living took a drastic nosedive when their father moved in with someone else?But it was the woe begotten prose addressed to Spence's mother that was the most difficult part of this book to get through.I had hoped to develop some sympathy for lawyers, or at least for this one, or maybe even learn something about growing up in the West during the Depression by reading this book.Instead, after reading this book, I find myself repelled even by the thought of reading any more memoirs by lawyers.

Great, but lawyers should see Comon Sense Rules of Advocacy
Some good lessons in Spence's book, but learn how YOU can be a more effective courtroom advocate with "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers" by Keith Evans, which is also a wonderful book for 3Ls and new lawyers who want to learn how to be effective advocates. However, Common Sense Rules of Advocacy is NOT a book for litigators, but for advocates.

What others have said about Evans book:

"Valuable review for the old timers and an excellent primer for those who are starting the climb."
-- Jacob A. Stein, Stein, Mitchell & Mezines, Washington, DC

"Superb how-to book ...that is refreshingly readable."
-- Karl Tegland, author, "Courtroom Handbook on Washington Evidence"

"A wonderful 'Bible' for the trial lawyer who wants to win. If only we had had this in law school!"
-- Browne Greene, Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, Santa Monica, CA

"Even the most experienced trial lawyer can pick up some new techniques here."
-- Frederick C. Moss, Professor, Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University

"Valuable insights and practical lessons for anyone who advocates for a living."
-- Steve Clymer, J.D., mediator, arbitrator, and facilitator with ACCORD Dispute Resolution Services, Inc.

"Remarkable compendium of useful advice."
-- Roxanne Barton Conlin, Roxanne Conlin & Associates, Des Moines, IA (first woman President of Association of Trial Lawyers of America)

"Great introduction for the new lawyer and a wonderful learning tool for the advocate with experience."
-- Sherman L. Cohn, Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (first national President of American Inns of Court)

"Terrific guidebook."
-- Philip H. Corboy, Corboy & Demetrio, Chicago, IL

You can see more testimonials and more information about Evans' book at RulesOfAdvocacy.com. Or search Amazon for ISBN 1587330059.

This century'sTom Paine
Next to "The Paper Chase",I found Gerry Spence's autobiography to be extremely inspirational, and yet, this time he offered wisdom for the rest of us who do not take up the law. One reviewer missed the point about "country lawyer"(the common man), trying to weaken Spence's building diatribe against corporate America. His vivid, meticulous storytelling ranges as wide as the landscape of his upbringing, where Horatio Alger meets Franklin and finishes with Thomas Paine.In other words, he offers hope for the little guy, the citizen, if men of his cloth would abandon their ways and the rest of us would stop acting like lemmings. This captivating, truth-telling journey to adulthood, runs from the depression to the consumptive new millenium. His many Lincolnian lessons throughout make it a deservedly classic manual for the under-taught. Spence proves Darwin wrong. It's not the fittest, the prepared truth-seekers.

One of the Greatest Trial Lawyers of All Time
I liked the book very much because I am intrigued by courtrooms and defense lawyers.But I also found the man in a seminar to be engaging, quick, wise, honest.He may act like a country lawyer, but Spence is one of America's finest attorneys.His story reminds me of Horatio Alger and "From Rages to Riches."A product of the West, he walks easily in the most erudite arenas and writes as exquisitely as he speaks.So much wisdom, information, understanding, sensitivity to the lesser ones of us.Kudos, Gerry.

Spence's Roots
Gerry Spence's books have all been favorites of mine and I always enjoy his commentary and personna.This bio is written in his usual compelling style and I loved hearing about his childhood, family and the experiences that helped mold him into the remarkable man he became.Definitely worth the time invested to read this book and I recommend all of his books to anyone interested in the complexities of the legal system in this country. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fascinating story of a life in Constitutional law
Any student of human rights and the US history of legal battles in this field would enjoy this memoir.Mr. Rabinowitz along with his late partner Leonard Boudin blazed new trails in the legal annals in labor, international, and civil rights law.This is a brief account of the life of Mr. Rabinowitz, his cases, his views and friends and enemies he met along the way. A wonderful read. ... Read more

Book Description

Frederick Pollock and the English Juristic Tradition provides the first detailed historical account of one of England's great jurists. Until the later decades of the twentieth century, law developed little as an academic discipline in England. One exceptional period of intellectual growth, however, was the late-Victorian era, when a number of brilliant and now celebrated jurists produced works and devised projects which had a crucial impact on the development of English legal thought. Among this band of jurists was the great legal treatise-writer, historian, and editor, Frederick Pollock. Compared with many of his contemporaries, however, Pollock has been largely overlooked by modern legal historians.Drawing upon a vast array of sources, Neil Duxbury offers a detailed picture of this enigmatic figure, examining Pollock's career, jurisprudence, philosophy of the common law, treatise-writing, and editorial initiatives, and shows that Pollock's contribution to the development of English law and juristic inquiry is both complex and crucial. ... Read more

Book Description

As the longest-serving Justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, William O. Douglas was known for writing a host of dissenting opinions. He was also a prolific writer off the bench, a man whose work was as much concerned with nature as with law. This collection brings together writings that represent the wide range of Douglan's interests. It includes selections from his autobiographical and political books, and opinions from landmark cases--all reflecting not only his love of justice but also his roots in the Northwest and his lifelong commitment to the environment. These writings demonstrate that Douglas never shied from controvery--whether over interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment or the choice between flies and bait for trout fishing--and offer abundant inspiration for both environmentalists and all who yearn for a more just society. Whether extolling the joys of the wild or defending the rights of citizens, Douglas shows in this work that he truly was Nature's Justice--and one of a kind. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Interesting Point, But Poorly Written
This book has some strong points, but they are outweighed, in my opinion, by the negatives.

First, in terms of subject matter, Kahlenberg's very liberal--despite what he may profess, he seems (to a moderate like me) much more liberal than your average Democrat--slant to absolutely everything about which he writes taints the entire book. Apparently, he seems to think that only liberals can provide useful public service or enhance the nation's government. One might think that, with seven years of formal education, Kahlenberg might realize that things are not so black-and-white, and that people of all ideologies can be (and are) public servants dedicated to helping their fellow citizens.

When it came to the actual structure of the book, I tired of his endless rants on how HLS can change people. Yes, I understand--and can sympathize--with his point, but I prefer not to be absolutely bombarded with a single idea over and over again without so much as a single additional insight after the first 100 pages. Moreover, detailed descriptions of two or three firm interviews were interesting--fascinating, in fact. But having to read what amounted to the same story (with different firms and different attorneys that eventually all blended together) some 20-30 times was tedious at best.

Once again, I get his point that all corporate firms are the same, that they are extremely successful at attracting HLS students away from public work, and that they work against progressive change and the common good rather than helping the public. But there has to be a less mind-numbingly dull and long-winded--not to mention pretentious and arrogant--way to communicate the point.

If you absolutely must read this--as you probably should if you have any intention of going to HLS or any other "name" law school--borrow it from the library, but do not waste your money purchasing the book.

Inspiring and thought-provoking!
Broken Contract is the chronicle of Richard Kahlenberg's struggle to justify his classical liberal ideals with the harsh reality of law school: most entering law students have a desire to use the privilege of an education in the law to help the poor and downtrodden of society, "but upon graduating, the vast majority [scramble] to fill the ranks of the nation's top corporate law firms" (from the front flap). Through the framework of his struggle with these powerful opposing forces, Kahlenberg presents us with a fascinating look at Harvard Law School, its culture and the nature of the law education of the late 1980s. He paints a portrait of everyday life as a law student, scrambling for Law Review positions, summer internships, judicial clerkships and ultimately, for a job after graduation.

As Kahlenberg searches for a job and dogmatically asks each interviewer about the firm's pro bono work (he is interested in little more), he occasionally comes across as an elitist; his sense of noblesse oblige is mildly nauseating. Throughout the book, Kahlenberg operates on the assumption that class-action lawsuits are morally right, that cases brought by poor people are just, that all big corporations are evil, that people have to sell-out to earn big salaries and that "conservatives" are willing to do anything to guarantee the rights of the rich.

However, don't let these relatively small negative aspects of the book deter you from reading it, even if you identify yourself as a conservative. His larger point is this: "since each of us struggles daily with good and bad impulses, we might want to restructure our social institutions in order to make it a little easier to do good" (235). This book does not target a certain ideology, except perhaps greed. Kahlenberg does not pull any punches and the targets of his criticisms span the ideological spectrum (although he does let a few more land on the right side of the spectrum).

Broken Contract rates a full four and a half stars. Broken Contract challenged me to think critically about my motivations for attending law school and broadened my perspective on life in general and on the legal community in particular.

Whiny limousine liberal
If you want to read the story of a guy who thinks it would really be nifty to do important public service work while still pulling down six figures, this is the book for you. Kahlenberg makes law students like myself who are legitimately dedicated to public interest law look like idiots. From tacky comments about distinguished lawyers he labels "sell-outs" for their choice to move to private work to the hilarious account of his (very sincere, I'm *sure*) questioning an interviewer at Arnold and Porter about whether a liberal would feel comfortable at the firm (like they're going to tell you no) the book is pretty useless. Kahlenberg wants you to think he's really upset that he just tried and tried and couldn't get a public interest job, but let's face it -- he went to Harvard Law. If he was the least bit honest at any time, the book would be worth reading. There's no way Coles read this book before agreeing to write the foreword.

Irritating and Disappointing
This book is a compendium of irritating whinings by a naive liberal intent on saving the world. I was very much disappointed. Skip. Or borrow the book from the library.

pretty good with lots of info
yes, at times, the author does come across as elitist, but at least he tried really hard to get postions in public interest and gov't..although i agree that some gov't positions are just as self-serving, his actions do indicate a committment to public service..after all, he gave up a very high paying corporate job for a low paying gov't one..if he was so fake, he wouold have sold out like other so-called liberals had. Of course, if you are into corporate law, this book will not be compelling..would a book about Malcom X be moving for a Nazi?? Anyway, the book is very emotional and provides a lot of insider info about Harvard Law. Although things have become easier for public service minded law students, this book still is helpful ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Compelling, compassionate, committed
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!

Justice with a heart
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.

Ready for Ms. Batt
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.

A good read
Ms. Batt gives a good view of how the criminal justice system works without getting into boring details. It kept my interest and I couldn't put it down, as when I'm reading a good novel. The characters involved in the three cases were well-developed. I hope she writes a sequel.

Enthralling
I had the good fortune of purchasing this book while looking for something else. Normally I am not a huge fan of true crime books but whether or not this is a genre you typically read you will enjoy this book. It reads like fiction in that the stories are both extremely compelling and extremely well written. The perspective of an experienced prosecutor who, unlike fiction, doesn't always win makes this both a sobering and surprisingly funny book. Maybe the best review I can give is that I bought and finished the book within 24 hours. ... Read more

Book Description

Deemed "the avenging angel of American justice" (Chris Matthews, Hardball), Jeanine Pirro, the famed Westchester County district attorney, presents hard truths about a justice system that she believes coddles criminals at the expense of innocent victims. Taking readers inside her daily battles on behalf of victims -- from the adolescent girl forced to assume wifely duties after her father murdered her stepmother to a hardworking man shot over a parking place -- District Attorney Pirro delivers a bold indictment of the criminal justice system and lays bare the ways in which parents, communities, and the system share complicity in fostering a dangerous environment for our citizens.

With the blunt courage of a woman who has spent her entire career working in a male-dominated world, Pirro demonstrates determination and compassion that will inspire anyone who has ever been a victim -- or a victim's loved one.

Finally, To Punish and Protect includes updated appendixes to help you and your loved ones make smart decisions about safety. ... Read more

Book Description

Warren recounts his years as governor of California and as one of the most controversial Supreme Court Justices in US history. Among the issues he discusses are his decision on the Brown vs. Board of Education case and his heading of the commission that i ... Read more

Book Description

This is the story of a rare sort of American genius, who grew up in grinding poverty in Camden, Maine. Nothing could save the sensitive child but her talent for words, music, and drama, and an inexorable desire to be loved. When she was twenty, her poetry would make her famous; at thirty she would be loved by readers the world over.

Edna St. Vincent Millay was widely considered to be the most seductive woman of her age. Few men could resist her, and many women also fell under her spell. From the publication of her first poems until the scandal over Fatal Interview twenty years later, gossip about the poet's liberated lifestyle prompted speculation about who might be the real subject of her verses.

Using letters, diaries, and journals of the poet and her lovers that have only recently become available, Daniel Mark Epstein tells the astonishing story of the life, dedicated to art and love, that inspired the sublime lyrics of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
... Read more

Reviews (6)

What Lips My Lips Have Kissed.....
Mr. Epstein's passion for his subject was the first attractor for me upon reading this well written, intriguing biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, specifically focusing on her very tumultuous love life and the poetry which was birthed due to her romantic and [physical relations].

The prose reads like Mr. Epstein has fallen in love with Edna just as the many men in her path fell in love with her.

I also found the diversions which came later (like the horse Chaladon) and her well known descent into alcoholism and drug addiction were very compelling to dive into: I would have appreciated more of these times, although the limited documentation available would explain why there isn't more information here.

This book does its job well: makes me more curious about Edna St. Vincent Millay: from her poetry, her plays and her life outside the written word.

Terrific reading
Daniel Mark Epstein brings a special understanding to Edna St Vincent Millay's biography by virtue of being a poet himself. I think that's why this book is in many ways superior to the Nancy Mitford book.

Edna St Vincent Millay was not only a great person of words, but a great seductress and everyone, male and female alike, fell under her spell. Apparently, accordingly to this book, she managed to live up to their expectations quite well. Mr Epstein matches the love poems to the folks they were written for and gives the details of the various affairs. It may not sound interesting, but it is quite interesting - especially since M's Millay seemed to have a weakness for men who were not quite as talented as she was. The background behind "Fatal Interview" and the story of her (apparently) one love she lost before_she_ was ready to is quite an interesting read by itself.

Mr Epstein focuses on M's Millay as sort of a self made goddess and how her various affairs shaped her writing. M's Mitford focuses on how M's Millay's relationship with her mother shaped her life. Both of these are very interesting and I'd advise reading them consecutively and draw your own conclusions. In some respects, I think Mr Epstein is correct in what he presumes, but the same can be said of M's Mitford.

Throw yourself into the words and life of Edna St Vincent Millay - you'll find yourself awash with her beautiful poetry and prose and this book will help you make sense out of it.

enamored of Millay
Daniel Mark Epstein, like so many men of her own time, is obviously enamored of Edna St. Vincent Millay. He urges that she be restored to the "canon",although her work has not been lauded in recent years.

The intense, highly emotional poet comes alive in the pages of his well-researched book. She comes to us as a rebel, determined to live on her own terms, to make love with the freedom of a man,to explore the ecstatic heights of feeling. (Shelley, the author tells us, was her idol.)

A central point that I feel Epstein misses is that, although she may have escaped the feminine role dictated by conventions of her time, she did not escape her own compulsion to make the search for love the driving force of her actions. Her poetry also has as its overriding theme, romantic and sexual love. For this reason she missed achieving stature as a great poet. Even though she possessed a great facility for language, her works are too limited in scope.

Her eventual descent into alcoholism and drug addiction can serve as a cautionary tale against the wild self-indulgence and perpetual adolescence that plagued Millay. It must be said, however, that her verbal gifts were so great that even in the midst of her addled despair in later life, she was able still to produce, although the work then was of lesser quality.

Kudoes for Epstein's carefully researched, comprehensive biography.

Comprehensive Survey of This Poet's Life
This biography was a fast and furious read, due to the great anecdotes as well as the tightly-written analysis. Ms. Millay's life was a whirlwind and many heretofore unknown facts and episodes are revealed, adding richness to the typical chronological description of this writer's life. Ms. Millay was more than a writer, she was a full-blown creative personality, in a time when to do so as a woman from a modest background was virtually unheard of. Even for those who do not know her poems or do not usually read literary biography, this book documents a fascinating woman's life and is well worth picking up.

What a GREAT READ!!!
This compellingly readable, lushly evocative biography focuses on the lovers and the love affairs that inspired Millay's best-known poetry. While Millay capitalized on her public image as a jazz-age "free spirit"--reckless, heedless and enjoying every minute-- her life story reads like a great, tragic Romantic novel.
Millay's hardscrabble childhood in turn-of-the(20th)-century Maine is so vividly conjured in Epstein's story, you can just about smell the smoke from the cast iron stove as she careens between the crushing responsibility of caring for her younger sisters and the imaginative escape she forged through music, theater and poetry. Through a combination of sly manipulation, talent and sheer luck, Millay went from being an arty local eccentric to a national celebrity--the cynosure of the Manhattan literary scene--at the age of 20, virtually overnight. The seemingly incongruous combination of her porcelain-doll looks and unabashedly passionate (yet formally rigorous) poetry acted like catnip for her contemporaries, men and women alike: she looked like an angel, behaved like a libertine, and packed an intellectual wallop equal to that of any man. Epstein describes the compulsive pace at which, during the height of her poetic production, Millay conducted many, often simultaneous, love affairs, lavishing indifference on the legions who worshipped her image and reputation, and suffering agonizing unrequited passion for the (relatively few) others.
By focusing on the most significant affairs and linking them (with impressive use of both painstaking scholarship and critical insight)to specific poems, Epstein incisively portrays the emotional pitch of the time without getting bogged down in endless lists of names, dates and locations. By crafting the narrative in this way, Epstein selects and contextualizes Millay's own words and documented actions to show--not tell-- how both physical illness and a likely manic-depressive disorder spiralled under the pressure to live up to her own legend. This is masterful storytelling, through and through.
Much as she was rescued, "deus ex machina" from an small-time life in Maine by a dowager patroness, Millay was rescued again in 1923, this time from life-threatening illness and despondency by a real-life Romantic hero (a Belgian Mr. Darcy?), whom she had the good sense to marry. While he set aside his own business to support her work and to shelter her from the strain of public and critical scrutiny, their idyllic rural marriage scenario stultified her creativity. Millay's dogged pursuit (with her husband's active consent) of an affair with a reluctant younger man is affectingly portrayed as a desperate, unconsciously delusional act of self-abasement in the service of her own (fading) sexual persona and the poetry which that persona had always sponsored so reliably. And it worked: great sonnets happened, albeit at no small cost. The waning of this affair, plus a series of illnesses and accidents, provided a host of pretexts for Millay's descent into astoundingly heavy-duty drug addiction and alcoholism. Epstein conveys the wrenching pathos of her repeated struggles to overcome these addictions, with--and, later, without-- her husband's devoted help. Set into this context, excerpts from her journals and letters illuminate a more richly layered, genuine and fragile Millay than other biographies even begin to approach.
Epstein--a highly accomplished poet himself--thankfully resists the temptation to psychoanalyze, sensationalize or turn Millay's life story into a morality tale. Instead, this beautifully-written, insightful and engaging feat of storytelling captures the essence of a real-life Romantic spirit who made poetry the only way she knew how--by living it. ... Read more

Book Description

Milwaukee Phil. The Wizard of Odds. The Brain. Nicky Crow. Tony Ripe. Cork. Uncle. King Rat. Tony Ducks. DeBe. Tuffy. Mad Sam. Vinny Nip. The Rifleman. Jimmy the Weasel. Billy Jack. The Midget. Crazy Phil. Joey the Clown. Toots. Vinnie Ocean. Charlie the Moose. Richie the Fixer. Big Chris. The Count. Little Pussy. Fat Vinnie. Chicken Man. Chicken Wing. The Ant. Jimmy Blue Eyes. The Mad Bomber.

Minor characters from the "Sopranos"? Forgotten roles from the Godfather series? Hardly.

More like Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman's former clientele and cohorts. Find out about these colorful figures and many more in John L. Smith's Of Rats and Men. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An inherently fascinating biography
Of Rats And Men: Oscar Goodman's Life From Mob Mouthpiece To Mayor Of Las Vegas is the inherently fascinating biography of Oscar Goodman, a man who deliberately became a pre-eminent defense attorney for alleged gangsters for 35 years. Accused but never proven of being more than a mouthpiece and defense attorney for organized crime, Oscar Goodman somehow managed to successfully defend his clients without becoming part of organized crime itself -- at least according to the voters of Las Vegas who eventually elected him as their mayor twice. Of Rats And Men is very highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the history of organized crime in America or who wish to avail themselves of a unique insight into the life and philosophy of an accomplished trial lawyer who specialized in defending members of established crime families.

More Insight from Smith ¿ an eminent authority on the mob
The copious notes and eight pages of bibliography supporting John L. Smith's meticulously researched biographical look at Oscar Goodman, former mob attorney - presently the two-term mayor of Las Vegas, impressed me.

Talk about "insider" information! Smith has long been quoted as a preeminent authority on mob history and "wise guy" relationships. In his book, "Of Rats and Men: Oscar Goodman's Life from Mob Mouthpiece to Mayor of Las Vegas," Smith names a Who's Who of notorious clients, alleged criminal activities, and egregious political innuendoes surrounding the controversial bonds between Goodman and friends. Scared me! While it is obvious the attention-seeking mayor was generous in his interviews with the author, Smith kept me up nights as he interpreted what Goodman would have us believe with his [author's] own extensive background knowledge and investigative prowess. John L. has balls of brass to write as honestly as he does.

Don't let an easy read fool you. This book is a gem for all who follow gaming history, or the Las Vegas / mob connection - to say nothing of government ineptitude (now, that was a hoot!). ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A book for the serious student of US Judicial history
Check Your Review of
Can a Chief Justice Love God: The Life of John Jay
by Phil Webster

Here is your review the way it will appear:

= A book for the serious student of US Judicial history
Reviewer: Ben Duffy
A book for the serious student with in depth research and scholarship, Phil Webster has succeeded in doing what many have not, unearthing the faith, brilliance and strong moral character which helped John Jay to not only endure so many personal tragedies, but accomplish so much for our nation in it's very early years that we as a nation owe him a great amount of gratitude. As laid out masterfully, Phil Webster shows how John Jay was fearless and willing to do what was right. This a book belongs on the shelves of colleges and universities for those students doing serious in depth research papers on US judicial history

A book for the serious student of US Judicial history
A book for the serious student with indepth research amd scholarship, Phil Webster has succeeded in doing what many have not, unearthing the faith,brillance and strong moral character which helped John Jay to not only endure so many personal tragedies, but accomplish so much for our nation in it's very early years that we as a nation owe him a great amount of gratitude. As laided out masterfully, Phil Webster shows how John Jay was fearless and willing to do what was right. This a book belongs on the shelves of colleges and universities for those students doing serious indepth research papers on US judicial history

A request from the author for a balanced review
One of the guidelines of Amazon.com for reviews is that the reviews are not supposed to be spiteful. It was my impression that when one had a book review to do whether for college or whatever, the reviewer had an obligation to read the entire book and then give his or her objective summary. This book was put on the recommended list of books to read for 2002 by Marvin Olasky, editor of World magazine in the Nov. 30, 2002 edition on page 36. Mr. Olasky's article "70 mph Treadmill" shows how Mr. Olasky does his reviews- he reads the books that he reviews while he runs on his treadmill. Mr. Olasky is a very busy man, yet he took the time to read the book. The reviewer of my book on Amazon.com admits that he has not finished the book. "I didn't get very far into the book before deciding to return it." What kind of a grade would this student get from the teacher? I ask that this anonymous reader's review be removed or at least that my book is given equal time from a positive review. The book was in 7th place among books on Lawyers and Judges before this "deadly dull" review and has since fallen to 42nd place. I appeal to your staff to include reviews that follow your guidelines and I appeal to readers to have an open mind about the details of the book.

Just a polemic, and a badly written one, at that.
This is neither a biography of jay, nor a history of his times, but a polemic intended to show that, because John Jay was a Christian, the Founders could not have believed in separation of church and state. As you might expect of one who holds such a thesis, the author writes at about a sixth-grade level. Actually, it reads a lot like "1066 and All That," but this author is deadly serious, and deadly dull. I didn't get very far into the book before deciding to return it, and I would give it zero stars if that were possible. ... Read more

Book Description

"The office of the district attorney is a battleground, where the fight between good and evil unfolds each day. We see the ugliest side of life, the pain that people go through for no reason. They didn't do anything. They didn't ask for it. Yet here they are, living their personal nightmares. We cannot take away their pain, or turn back time to undo the damage, but we can be the avengers. We can seek justice on their behalf."

So begins this riveting account by Westchester County District Attorney, Jeanine Pirro, as she takes us inside the violent world of modern crime fighting. Before Pirro was elected DA in 1993, the job was always considered a man's domain, demanding a macho toughness. Pirro can be as tough as any man, and yet she adds an important new dimension to the role. She believes that being tough on crime means much more than just filling the jails. She goes beyond her role to punish criminals, to be a passionate advocate for the victims of crime.

In To Punish and Protect, Pirro brings readers face to face with the gruesome realities of her daily battles, and tells the true, heartbreaking stories of the victims - the slaughter of a young woman and her two children by a jealous, enraged boyfriend; a teenage girl forced to assume wifely duties after her father murdered her stepmother; a nine-year-old boy chained to a radiator in a dark room and nearly starved to death, as the rest of the family went about its business; a gentle, hardworking man shot fatally in a dispute over a parking place, because he was black; an eighty-year-old woman, savagely beaten by her son and left for two days on the cold floor of her apartment; a beautiful woman whose wealth and privilege could not prevent her murder at the hands of a violent husband; and a group of young girls lured into a sexual nightmare by a cunning predator posing as a trustworthy youth counselor.

Pirro presents hard truths about the ways in which parents, communities, and the justice system share complicity in fostering an environment of danger to our children. She describes the dark world of Internet pedophiles and hate mongers, who are allowed to hide behind First Amendment protections to gain access to kids in their own bedrooms. She offers a harsh judgment on parents who fail to address the deadly consequences of teen drinking, and even host keg parties in their homes, while alcohol continues to take young lives and destroy families.

Pirro delivers a bold indictment of the criminal justice system, and asks whether we as a nation are truly committed to justice. Increasingly, she warns, our laws, attitudes, and behaviors seem to be veering away from what we say is our moral core as a nation. We say that we exalt good and punish evil, yet we do the opposite. We turn criminals into celebrities, and view victims with suspicion. If we're going to make our communities safer and our society less violent, we need to do more than just pay lip service to our ideals. To Punish and Protect challenges us to have the will and the courage to wage war on the predators roaming our streets, and to avenge their victims.
... Read more

Reviews (14)

From the Frontline
As the daughter of a homicide victim, I was deeply touched by Jeanine Pirro's sensitivity to all victims who have had their lives devastated by heinous criminals. The author clearly understands how in one split second a family can be nearly destroyed and left to rebuild their shattered lives with little help from a system that failed to protect them.
This book should be required reading for all criminal justice students, politicians and community activists. Elected public officials would be well advised to heed the information set forth by DA Pirro. If they did so, stronger legislation would be enacted enabling the prosecution and punishment of offenders rather than wasting taxpayers dollars on coddling them. Why doesn't the government pay for the education of victims and the children of victims instead of providing masters degrees for those in jail.
Jeanine Pirro - you have given a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. Thank you!

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

TERRIBLE ,MUST BE NON FICTION
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.

Darn good propaganda if it is...
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.

This book is DA BOMB!
I loved this book. I hope her critics were right about her seeking higher office, you know, like prez? We should all be so lucky as to have a state's attorney like Ms Pirro. ... Read more

Book Description

Story of prosecution of Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald for the triple murders of his family.Subsequent fall from grace from the practice of law, diagnosis fo severe depression, subsequent imprisonment, and later waiting tables in very public restaurant to survive. A story of how to survive extreme adversity...a real journey of faith. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A courageous and honest book
I found this book to be a real exercise in courage, humility and honesty on the part of James Blackburn, and I admire him for it greatly. The fall from grace that he experienced would have completely and utterly destroyed a weaker man. To be so high and to fall so low is truly not to be underestimated. Blackburn is to be commended for sharing as much of his personal story as he did.

The honesty with which he deals with his depression are perhaps the most compelling parts of this book. It's rare that a reader is granted access to the inside of a depressed mind. Blackburn does a decent job of showing the reader what his state of mind was like at the time.

All in all, however, the book suffers from Blackburn's storytelling skills. The book reads rather much like it was directly transcribed from dictation. There is very little art in Blackburn's writing.

Nevertheless, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from work-related depression. It's truly a unique and useful read in that regard.

James Blackburn
I would be depressed too if i knew i put an innocent man in prison.

Factual and courageous
Jim Blackburn is a wonderful person who has chosen to open his heart to the world. The lessons to be learned by his journey from respected lawyer to convicted felon and then to waiter are invaluable. Without having a preaching or condecending tone, Jim relates to the reader his experiences and what he learned from them. It would add another wonderful chapter to his story if this books becomes a best seller.

Candid and inspirational
I have a great deal of respect for the author. Writing this book must
have been a daunting task; one that required an immense amount of
courage. Mr. Blackburn's candor and honesty are unique and refreshing,
and the story of his fall and relatively rapid return to grace
sensational. Overcoming depression is a daunting task, one that many
individuals are unable to conquer. The first step in the journey may
be to recognize that you need help. Admitting that you have a problem
can be difficult and painful. Once you admit the problem and find
help, you must work extremely hard to conquer your demons! Overcoming
depression is a great deal of work. This book inspires readers to
climb their personal mountain to achieve and overcome obstacles. I am
both inspired and refreshed, and I sincerely admire the author for
coming back despite odds that appeared insurmountable. Although local
readers are likely to know the story of Mr. Blackburn's conviction,
writing the book has turned the story into a national one. I
appreciate and admire the author for his honesty, strenth and courage,
and wish Mr. Blackburn future success. I hope he continues writing!

Much needed lessons
The title of this book may initially attract you because of the famous Jeffery Mcdonald murder case. But the book itself ends up being about every man..our temptations, our potential for self-destruction without regard to education or socio-economic status. And yet James Blackburn gives us a message: there is redemption--but apparently only through confession, humiliation and loss. This is an easy concept to preach but actually doing it is another thing entirely. This book is written by a man who did all of it and lived to tell the tale as a better person. It was gave me insight into myself and others--- and taught me not to judge a person by scandal in the newspaper. ... Read more

Book Description

On the first day of his Senate confirmation hearings, John Ashcroft raised his right hand and vowed, "I swear to unhold the laws of the United States of America, so help me God."

People who knew him intimately knew they could count on this.

And so will others as they read On My Honor, a book that reveals Ashcroft's personal beliefs on racism, abortion, capital punishment, our judicial system, his faith in God, and more.

These beliefs were not designed to answer his critics in the Senate.They are beliefs he has held for years, written when he still expected to serve a second term in the Senate.

Here is an opportunity to judge this extraordinary man from his own words and deeds.As Ashcroft says, "The verdict of history is inconsequential; the verdict of eternity is what counts."

On My Honor was previously published as Lessons From a Father to His Son, ISBN 07852-75401. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Inspiring
The Attorney General is honest in sharing his Christian worldview and how it shapes his decisions. He takes readers through a chronology of his life, however he doesn't spend a lot of time on details. What he does is highlight the major impact his dad had on his life. A significant amount of the book discusses the principles he learned from his dad and how he applied them to his own life. This intangible legacy, the legacy of Christian faith is one that has cause him to say he cares more about his eternal reputation rather than his place in history (which is temporal). There are some mundane matters his dad passed on to him as well, such as suggesting that he always dress for a position above the one he currently held to create the proper image. Overall this book provides an insight into the thinking of the author.

SCARY!!
This is a good primer on how to lie to the public and still try to look good.

A MUST READ BEFORE YOUR SECRET TRIBUNAL
As a former critic of our Supreme Leader I found myself detained as an "Non Christian Enemy Combatant" shortly after the Congressional elections of 2002. While in solitary confinement and not allowed to speak to a lawyer I was allowed access to the military base's library of nutty right wing literature during the 2 hours a day I had my goggles and blindfolds removed. (As an aside, it was so strange, but I couldn't find a copy of the U.S. Constitution?) This book caught my eye and I could hardly put it down ...Needless to say, this book really indoctrinated me and I now see the error of my former Satanic and absolutely evil ways. Thank you Jesus for men like John Ashcroft who are willing to force their belief systems on others. And thank you to the members of my all white male secret tribunal for taking my race and gender into account when setting this now born again conservative evangelical protestant free!

...
I probably shouldn't publicly criticize the neo-J Edgar Hoover, but what the heck, I'm feeling brave! (kinda, since I clicked the anonymous button on my review!) This purpose of this review is to spark debate about the fusion of Jerry Falwell and J Edgar Hoover (as Julian Bond so eloquently put it), aka John Ashcroft. Scientists have successfully bonded religious fanaticism with Orwellian tactics. The result is our attny. general. A man who speaks at Bob Jones University, praising their "values" (segregation, racism, and general intolerance). Now don't get me wrong, he is allowed to believe whatever he wants to believe, he has that right as a citizen of the United States. But, his beliefs make him extremely bias, therefore should not be allowed to hold a position that requires TOTAL neutrality. (I know, Reno wasn't a star either in regards to Waco and Ruby Ridge, and the other Clinton DoJ foul ups). But the new DoJ is 10x worse. One of the most important (if not the most important) positions of power is that of Attorney General. This person holds OUR civil liberties in their hands, they are entrusted not to abuse the power given to them. Ashcroft has abused those powers. It may not seem like it right now, but history will look back on Ashcroft's actions and label him as a tyrant. What is scary is that he thinks he is right, that he has direct contact with God, and that he does God's bidding ... . Keep in mind that Ashcroft and Bin Laden are one in the same, both give their respective religions a bad name. Some non-Christian may hear Ashcroft spitting gross intolerances towards other cultures and think that all Christians are like him. Just as we see Bin Laden murder innocent civilians in the name of Islam, we think all Muslims are blood thirsty psychos. To those who share Ashcroft's beliefs, sorry to offend you, but people with your beliefs have no place in public service. As a free country we must keep zealots out of government. People with extreme (be it left of right) views have no right to dictate extreme policy to a public that is mostly moderate. That is called tyranny of the minority. Democracy rests on the principal of tyranny of the majority.

Excellent Insight
I could not put this book down! I found this book to be a fascinating insight into the U.S. Attorney General.

The book lets the reader see how John Ashcroft's life was shaped by his father and his own personal faith. In light of the United State's war on terrorism, I found it very comforting to learn that Ashcroft, one of America's leaders in that war, is grounded on a foundation of ethics, morals, and integrity. ... Read more