No comments about Jefferson vs. the Patent Trolls: Populist Vision of Intellectual Property Rights.

4 comments about Abe Fortas: A Biography.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.




4. 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.

No comments about Building the Rule of Law.

1 comments about A Justice for All: William J. Brennan, Jr., and the Decisions That Transformed America.

1. Although few people knew his name, Supreme Court Justice William Brennan became a force of history. Applying his belief that the Constitution and Bill of Rights was written for all Americans, Brennan shaped the nation by attaining majorities is such cases as Roe v. Wade and Texas v. Johnson (flag burning). His legacy is one of justice and equality, of cooperation and liberty, of criminal rights and human rights, of compassion, moral rectitude and courage. If you do not know this man, you do not know the greatest force in constitutional law this American century has ever seen. Kim Eisler, using various sources, opened a window through which every American can see the Court, and one of its most important jurists, in langauge we can all understand. The best book on the Supreme Court (and a supreme Justice) I have ever read.

5 comments about Fight Back and Win: My Thirty-year Fight Against Injustice--and How You Can Win Your Own Battles.

1. I listened to the 1st third of the CD version of this book and thought it was a waste of time. I expected a more interesting and comprehensive work from such an accomplished person. I am familiar with Gloria Allred and was looking forward to gaining insight in her thoughts and legal accomplishments.
   
   In my opinion she tried to cover too much. I wish she would have covered fewer cases with far greater depth. Much of the historical background, legal complexities, human factors and contemporary context were left out. Each case that I listened to degenerated into my cause is rightous and anyone who is against me is wrong.
   
   I was expecting more.



2. I have watched this lady on CourtTV for a few years now and she is really amazing. Her book is great! She shows what ANYONE can do with a little perserverance to make changes. She explains how people think that powerful people are the only ones who can make changes, but this is not so according to Gloria. Just keep pushing and go higher and higher to the top until you get results. :)



3. Thank You Gloria Allred!
   Well written and great insight! She reminds us all of the great challenges women have to overcome to achieve equal status in our society.
   I would vote for HER for President of the United States in an instant!



4. A MUST READ FOR ALL*****
   GLORIA ALLRED HAS ACHIEVED WORLD RECOGNITION FOR HER PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AND EQUALITY*****
   HER BOOK SHOULD BE 'REQUIRED READING' FOR ALL.



5. Just a venue for further self-aggrandizement. Gloria Allred has made her self rich by taking on such villians as childrens haircutting salons who charged different rates for boys and girls and fast food restaurants who's employees refuse to hand out discount coupons. In the process she is millionaire sucking money out of her victims forcing them to settle rather than endure long drawn out court proceedings and bad publicity.
   
   And in the end her clients get a pittance in settlements and she is a millionaire. I would be curious to see where her clients are today. Way to go Gloria. Your legacy is undeniable. You are everything that gives lawyers a bad name.

No comments about Watergate Prosecutor.

1 comments about Cowboy Justice: Tale of a Texas Lawman.

1. Cowboy Justice won Westerners International Co-Founders Best Book Award and to great critical acclaim.

   "Cowboy Justice is a nonfiction masterpiece that shows us a lawman who enforced the law because the Rule of Law was sacred to him. There was no sense of personal gain or selfish career building, nor was there a sense of power for power's sake. Gober deserves a place beside Earp, Masterson, Garrett and others who gained fame for their law enforcement. And yet, he almost stands alone when it comes to greatness tempered with courage and humility." ---Michael Martin Murphey

No comments about The Rehnquist Court: Justices, Rulings, and Legacy (1986-2001).

5 comments about The Defense Is Ready: Life In The Trenches Of Criminal Law.

1. This book gives a very interesting inside look into the world of criminal defense attorneys. The author gives her unique perspective on the law through stories of several cases she defended. While I found the book very interesting, especially her explanation of the Menendez case, I couldn't help thinking that she was giving only one side of the story and leaving out facts that didn't support her views of defendant's rights. Still, it was very enthralling and hard to put down.



2. I have always liked the way that Leslie Abramson handles herself as well as being a fairly big fan of her courtroom practices. So, I went into this book with some preconceived biases. Well, they were all proven wrong.

   Abramson is an extremely intelligent woman, and an excellent attorney, but her writing, as well as that of Richard Flaste, is quite dry and rather boring. She has some nice stories to tell, but the manner in which she delivers them is undeniably dull.

   The book clearly had no cogent flow to it whatsoever. The book was somewhat hard to get through, but I read on, hoping it lead to something better. But, it truly didn't.

   I gave the book two stars simply because the information on the cases, and the behind the scenes stuff was pretty interesting. Unfortunately, that is all this book really has to offer you.




3. I have to question the factuality of the stories written in this book. My family is the subject of one of the stories Leslie chose to discuss in detail within her book. I have to say I was shocked and infuriated to find my family story, including names and a picture sent to Leslie in a Christmas card, printed without our consent or knowledge. After the initial shock I sat down to read the book and was again outraged at the many erroneous facts intertwined in our brief story. I have to wonder if she even looked at our file or if she just tried to pull from memory and/or embelish this brief condensed story of our life. I do not know all the laws governing what you can or can't print in an autobiography, but I would think that if you were writing about other people's lives, you should have to state the facts and be able to substantiate those facts with documentation. I know that the 6 pages of this book dedicated to my life story has so many fabricated and outright false statements, it is impossible for me to read any of the other stories with any degree of faith that what I am reading is the Real story! I would recommend that anyone who reads this book takes it for what it is, an autobiography about Leslie Abramson. Do not read it to understand the subjects of her cases or what the Real facts behind their cases were.



4. Perhaps I'm being anachronistic, but I don't think an autobiography should be written by anyone other than the subject him or herself. If the person doesn't feel up to the job, he should have an authorized biography published with a vignette explaining his involvement in the project. Whatever her reasons, Ms. Abramson's decision to employ Richard Flaste was a big mistake. If she was too lazy to write this book herself, she should have at least taken the time to find a competent writer. Reading this book is like trying to drive across a treacherous bog in a Ferrari. You hope there's something good on the other side but the journey is so needlessly frustrating and unpleasant, you aren't sure if it's worth it. Let me save you some trouble. Even if you had a Range Rover, this journey wouldn't be worth it. My conclusion: for someone who is so assertive and logical in her public speaking, Ms. Abramson has published a very disappointing autobiography



5. If you ever thought there was more to certain cases than what you saw on tv, irregardless of whether you agree with Abramson's conclusions or not, you owe it to your sense of humanity or cynicism to read this boo

No comments about Earl Warren: A Public Life.