No comments about Portrait of a Patriot: The Major Political And Legal Papers of Josiah Quincy Junior (Volume One).

1 comments about The Family Letters of Louis D. Brandeis.

1. The editors of this volume, Urofsky and Levy, have edited 6 previous volumes of Brandeis letters: 5 volumes of general business related correspondence and one volume of letters between LDB and Frankfurter (particularly interesting in light of the allegations of improper conduct made in Bruce Alen Murphy's "The Brandeis/Frankfurter Connection"). This volume is somewhat different, in that it concentrates upon Brandeis' correspondence with family members, principally his wife, two daughters and brother Alfred. The value of the collection is to afford another insight into Brandeis the man, and it certainly fills that bill. The editors have maintained the outstanding quality of their previous volumes in terms of annotations and explanations of LDB's sometimes ambiguous references, including quotes in German. The most interesting aspect I discovered was that LDB, who never cracked a joke in the previous 6 volumes, and was always somewhat formal and withdrawn, continues to manifest these traits in his family letters. I guess he was just all business, though obviously a loving and attentive parent. A valuable addition to the literature on LDB.

1 comments about Ira Rowe, Caribbean Lawyer: Materials, Tributes & Cases.

1. It is wonderful to have a such a succint and engaging novel about a talented and intelligent jurist. So few books are written on Caribbean Jurisprudence, which makes this one all the more a treasure to be added to any library, large, small, private or public. It is my hope that all persons, laymen and lawyers a like, will find their way to this book and take the time to learn what molds and expands both Caribbean law and the jurists within such. Enjoy!

No comments about Third Lieutenant: An Autobiography.

4 comments about Justice In Paradise (McGill-Queen's Native and Northern).

1. There is no doubt about Bruce Clarke's passion for Aboriginal people in Canada and the U.S. He staked his legal career on such concerns. His passion has made him controversial in many circles in North America. This autobiography/adventure story confirms that.
   
   Clarke presents an interesting legal avenue to pursue Aboriginal concerns and claims within North America. The problem is that no one, and I mean absolutely no one, appears very willing to listen. Clarke appeals to a legal precident that has never been over-ruled and therefore remains binding on all courts within North America. It is a good argument. However, no court will admit it or even listen to Clarke, usually for procedural reasons. The argument, even though valid, keeps getting shut down in court. It may be of consequence that Clarke has a knack for becoming involved with several explosive situations in an attempt to have the courts hear his argument. He is unsuccessful. He is eventually disbarred as a lawyer.
   
   This is a most unusual story, more likely to be found in communities practicing oral traditions. Seldom do we find stories like this within the larger, dominant culture. Although Aboriginal viewpoints are not fully explored, it is Clarke's point of view is facinating and insightful. Moreover, Clarke provides very helpful appendices which support and compliment the text.
   
   This book is a good read, whether you agree with Clarke or not. It provides insight into why he did what he did. Arguably, It is not justification of his deeds, but a call to the reader to examine difficult issues which we want to ignore in our daily lives. It is presented in a well-reasoned argument. Although it may appear that Clarke is bombastic, loud, and obnoxious, I found that he becomes a little more humble along the way (i.e., "Bonfire of the Vanities"). For better or worse, Clarke discovers a little more about himself and the world in which he lives. In turn, we, as readers, ought to do the same.



2. I have not read the book but wonder about the author who has such a desregard for public safety, public order of the role of the police to protect us from violence. His behaviour during the Gustafsen Lake occupation revealed someone on the edge and held him up to widespread public ridicule.



3. This is Bruce Clark's third book on the legality of Native land claims in North America. His first two books were: Indian Title In Canada (Carswell Law Publishers, Toronto, 1986) and Native Liberty, Crown Sovereignty: The Existing Aboriginal Right of Self-Government in Canada (McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal, 1990).

   Dr. Clark has made a career of defending native land claims in Canada and the US, based on legal arguments that the taking of native lands without purchase or treaty, by US and Canadian federal and/or state and provincial governments, has been unlawful. The argument is so open-and-shut, that courts refuse to hear it, since part of the argument is that the courts do not have jurisdiction. In over 40 cases, the court has refused to hear or respond to the argument. It is based on 18th century British constitutional law, which has not been repealed, and which is still in force in Canada and the USA. Starting with the Jackson administration in the US, the governments have simply decided to ignore the law on this matter. In the 1690s one of the branches of the great Mohican tribe made a treaty with the colony of Connecticut. The colony then allowed settlers onto the land. The Indians objected, saying the purpose of the treaty had been to prevent settlers from moving in. Connecticut felt the purpose was so that it could allow the settlers to move in. Absolutely opposite viewpoints of the same document. Rather than go to war, the Mohicans wanted to find a peaceful rule of law solution. But they did not want to go into the court system that the colony of Connecticut had set up, since doing that would admit that the intruding settlers had legal jurisdiction. And Connecticut would not accept the Mohican court. The Mohicans petitioned Great Britain's Queen Anne to find a solution. On March 9, 1804, as recommended by the Privy Council, Queen Anne issued an Order in Council (meaning that this decision was constitutionally binding on the British Crown and on all colonial governments in North America) asserting three principles: 1) Creation of a third-party court to adjudicate land disputes between Native Peoples and the colonial governments of the European settlers; 2) This court was to be a trial-level court; 3) Appeals against decisions by this court would be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. From 1704 when the Mohicans first applied to the Queen to the beginning of the American Revolution in 1776, the case of Mohegan Indians vs. Connecticut was regarded as the single most important case in the history of the British Empire. It guaranteed colonized peoples the right to independent and impartial third-party adjudication in human rights matters. The genius of that court case was that, if it had not (illegally) been ignored, it could have prevented genocide in North America. Dr. Clark has been disbarred by the Ontario Law Society for making these arguments, and has been charged with contempt of court for making these arguments, even though the courts refuse to hear the arguments; hence, there is no basis for the court to say that they are wrong arguments. Dr. Clark's writing of this book is further basis for contempt of court. Like Galileo, Dr. Clark's only escape from imprisonment for making an argument is to renounce that argument. Which he refuses to do.

   Law is based on Truth. Arguments are not disproved by the use of force of punishment and jail.




4. Justice In Paradise recounts how a commitment to Native rights and an extraordinary passion for the rule of law have determined the course of Bruce Clark's life. From a childhood in an Indian residential school, to the defense of aboriginal rights before the Word Court, to being disbarred, Clark's struggle has led him to fight against the justice system itself. Justice In Paradise explains the legal and philosophical position behind Clark's opposition to the Indian rights industry. Clark argues that the North American legal system causes the genocide of those indigenous peoples who embrace traditional religion and identity and accuses those who administer it with chicanery and abandoning the rule of law. Clark turned his back on a comfortable lawyer's life to defend the rule of law and Native rights across the whole of North America. Justice In Paradise is a candid, fascinating biography that will prove fascinating to students of law, Native American rights, and non-specialist general readers who enjoy reading of men and women who make their mark upon the world with an untiring and activist devotion to their ideals and principles.

No comments about Pis' Ma Voverru.

No comments about Thurgood Marshall (Gateway Civil Rights).

No comments about Gods and Lawyers.

3 comments about Snow Blind.

1. I first met Douglas Kalajian after toasting the New Journalism with the fabled editor Eddie Sears during a wine-fueled chit-chat in the executive floors of The Palm Beach Post. The year was 1994 or 1995. I forget, mainly because I left all my brains to the wrinkled mavens who entertained me nightly at the many ornate bars I frequented in Palm Beach. What Sears said about Kalajian pretty much cements my belief that Douglas, more than any other writer in star-crossed Southern Florida, has a full grasp of the many flawed characters that walk that wild geography. "Kalajian will shock the Hell out of a witch," Sears said. This book is about one such wicked dude. You can visit Florida for a week and it isn't long before you get the distinct feeling that Florida is no Midwest Wimp like Oklahomo or Kancer or Rita Nebraska...No, sir. Here, in his book, Douglas Kalajian is both Dali and Diego Rivera. He has painted a factual mural so alarming and bright that to read it is to see what's on the other side of the Sun. I read it while fishing in The Gulf of Mexico and damned if every damned fish I caught didn't look ugly as all Hell. Truth is scary and Douglas Kalajian has thrown truth at us...



2. Snow Blind is a true story that moves at the pace of an action adventure. The action happens in the courtroom, as a youg public defender with a gift for showmanship rights wrongs, rescues the innocent and puts the high-and-mighty in their place. And then something goes wrong, big time. If you live in South Florida you WILL recognize the protagonist and the bigwigs he must duel. You'll be surprised, because not many people know the details. Even if you live elsewhere and don't know the names, you'll be swept along by this amazing story.



3. Kalajian has written a riveting tale of the true life fall of a passionate advocate for the poor who becomes caught in the seductions of the drug underworld and who saves his soul only when he returns to his calling to help others.

No comments about The Consummate Canadian: A Biography of Samuel Weir Q.C.