No comments about William Jennings Bryan: Champion of Democracy (Twayne's Twentieth-Century American Biography Series).

5 comments about Eliot Ness: The Real Story.

1. This has to be the definitive book on the subject of legendary crimefighter Eliot Ness. It's quite a story and is obviously well researched and written with an exacting and engaging style. If being the leader of THE UNTOUCHABLES alone, was enough excitement and fame for someone like Ness. He goes on to tackle other crime and even get into business ventures that prooved to be far ahead of their time.
   
   Eliot Ness never lived to see his story portrayed on TV or the movies.
   Shortly before his death, he did receive a $1,000 advance from his book titled THE UNTOUCHABLES co-written by his sportswriter friend Oscar Fraley. That was the only money the honest lawman ever got from his fame as the G-Man who took on gangster Al Capone. And long before Hollywood was playing with the truth or simply taking poetic license. Ness or more precisely Fraley, had built up the gangbusting exploits to almost the same level of American hero mythology as Wyatt Earp. Actor Robert Stack who to millions the world over was Eliot Ness, could always be seen each week shooting it out with the bad guys. Whereas the real Ness, only fired his gun once to gain entry to an illegal brewery by shooting the lock off. In 1959, at a time when there were already 48 TV westerns on the air, ABC's Desilu produced show THE UNTOUCHABLES was really a western itself. The most violent show on television and naturally it was highly rated.
   
   Just like in a typical Hollywood western, when the good towns people hire a lawman to rid their streets of crime and then finding that he's done such a good job that business starts to suffer. Well thats what happens to Ness when this book chronicles his career in Cleveland. Not as skilled at dealing with politicians as he was with crooks (that is if there is a difference), his life goes into decline and becomes an American tragedy.
   Author Paul Heimel remembers him well though and indeed the true story of Eliot Ness warrants a more respectful Hollywood tribute than just the rattle of "tommy-guns" shooting up a still.



2. Paul W. Heimel has done a superb job of uncovering and relating the life and times of Eliot Ness, including the role that he and his team of "Untouchables" played in the destruction of Al Capone. Ness was a far more interesting and complex individual than the Hollywood characterizations of him. He was every bit as honest, diligent, and hard-working as his fictional counterpart, but also flawed in terribly human ways. The reader comes away with a deeper understanding of a very real, ultimately tragic human being. Heimel knows how to tell a story well and captures Ness's fascinating life without bogging the tale down in minutia. He provides clear images of Capone and a host of other characters, including FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. The paranoid, delusional "G Man" was a neurotic tyrant who could not stomach Ness getting any publicity or credit, no matter how deserved, because he believed it upstaged him and his agency. Ness even merited one of Hoover's many secret files. Indeed, Ness seems to have been harmed by his own success in destroying crooked cops, politicians, and labor thugs, which inevitably made him enemies. His own inability to convert his exemplary public service into business or political success reveals him as all-too human. His final years, and the lack of any material reward for his deeds, are both moving and tragic. This is a real slice of Americana without any glamorization. Heimel deserves our gratitude for rescuing a wonderful man from both near-obscurity and horrible distortion.



3. The second edtion uncovers more information about Ness, disputing those who dismiss his exploits in helping the Treasury Dept. smash Capone's empire. It also disputes those rumors that he was a drunk. The real man is shown here with all his humanness and surprise, he's doesn't come up short. He finally gets the consideration he deserves as a lawman.



4. Eliot Ness was a legendary lawman in the twenties and thirties. But entertaining as they are, the various Untouchables movies and television shows don't paint an accurate picture of him.

   And The Untouchables (by Ness and Oscar Fraley) and Four Against the Mob (by Fraley) tell part of the story, but leave a lot of detail out, including just about any unflattering pieces.

   Heimel's book is the first true attempt at an unbiased look at Ness' life. And have no doubt, Eliot Ness did some amazing things in law enforcement. His time as Cleveland's Public Safety Director is more episode-filled than his Chicago days. As of 2003, there is not a better book out there on Eliot Ness.




5. Heimel's first book was good, this one was excellent. Even if you're not a crime-fighing history buff, this chronology of Ness' life strikes an optimistic cord concerning what ultimately matters in life. Ness made plenty of mistakes in his life, but the testimony to man's efforts at doing the right thing is inspirational. He was not the person Hollywood portrayed him to be, but in some sense, he was much, much, more. This second edition is full of new information and insight. Just as you may find that the "professional" movie critics reviews didn't jibe with how you felt about a movie, you'll most likely come to the same conclusion about this book. Read it yourself. It's well worth the effort!

No comments about Thomas Erskine And Trial by Jury.

No comments about Journal of a Country Lawyer: Crime Sin and Damn Good Fun.

2 comments about Justice Overruled: Unmasking the Criminal Justice System.

1. This book does a good job of explaining some of the problems with the criminal justice system. We see how attorneys routinely destroy honest witnesses on the stand, in total violation of professional ethics. We see attorneys hide evidence and doctor documents. We see"expert" witnesses say whatever the attorneys tell them to say. We see police say whatever the procedures imply would be the best testimony to give, accurate or not. And we see some juries intentionally give unjust verdicts, without any fear of reprisals for wrongdoing.
   
   Katz's first target is the exclusionary rule. This rule is intended to keep evidence out of the courtroom if the cops seize it illegally. Well, it is all well and good to deter police misconduct, this rule is not part of our constitutional rights. All it accomplishes is to make truth irrelevant in criminal proceedings. It has to go, and our rights have to stay.
   
   The same goes for the "Miranda" rule, which once again gets truth out of the courtroom. Since truth is a prerequisite for justice, this has to be counterproductive.
   
   Removing these rules would decrease the number of lies told by police on the witness stand to avoid having otherwise legitimate cases thrown out. And these lies are deadly to the system: they cause everyone to lose respect for justice, and at some crucial moments, good lawyers will catch the police telling such lies and get completely guilty defendants to go free, causing the justice system to look even worse. Katz points out that police ought to be prosecuted for violating Fourth Amendment rights, and that criminals ought to go free only if the violations are "shocking to the conscience of a civilized society."
   
   Katz next takes on juries, explaining that the Bushell case in 1670 is a precedent that has prevented jurors from being penalized for bad verdicts. That has been a blessing in some cases, but has allowed juries to misbehave badly in others. Katz has some ideas on how to improve matters. It includes avoiding the large number of jury challenges, which can degenerate into a contest to see "who can pick the stupidest and most bigoted jury." In my opinion, juries ought not be trusted with determining truth at all and at best ought to decide what justice to apply given the truth.
   
   There is a marvellous chapter about witnesses, which includes the amazing examination of Mary Brunner by fellow Manson family murderer Bobby Beausoleil. Katz points out that statements taken by the police ought to be videotaped. As for difficult witnesses changing their stories under oath, Katz suggests exposing such witnesses to perjury charges.
   
   The author also recommends getting rid of "imperfect self-defense" and other abuse excuses such as "diminished capacity" and "temporary insanity." Even if there really were extenuating circumstances arising from something of this sort, the time to apply them would be at sentencing, not in determining guilt or innocence.
   
   Finally, there is a recommendation to have cameras in the courtroom.
   
   I think there are plenty of useful suggestions in this book, and I enjoyed reading it.



2. I've recently read three books by former trial court judges and Katz's is the best of the three. The other two, Guilty by Harold Rothwaz and Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining by Judy Sheindlin, are both good at presenting the worst examples from the criminal justice system. Sheindlin was also a family court judge and provides additional stories on problems with the juvenile justice system. Katz, however, does a better job of analysis of the problems. He also covers a broader range of issues that affect the system at various stages during the criminal trial process.

No comments about Lister Hill - Statesman from the South (Library Alabama Classics).

No comments about Edward Douglass White: Defender of the Conservative Faith (Southern Biography).

No comments about John Archibald Campbell, Associate Justice Of The U. S. Supreme Court, 1853-1861.

3 comments about A Memoir.

1. I am glad that one of Dev's Sons came forward to write about thier father.The book was excellent, but some things needed more explaining, for example, the criticism that Dorothy Macardle leveled at article 41 in the Irish constiution, what was the true meaning of article 41;I think I know, but I would like to have heard it from Terry. And he also needed to explian what article 41 stated. I am also glad to see that Tim Pat Coogan got some of his facts wrong, this makes his work on deValera suspect. The book is a must read for all who admire Eamon deValera. I am also glad to read more about Sinead deValera, she truely was a remarkable Woman.



2. As the youngest son of the President of Ireland, Terry de Valera experienced first hand the politics and struggles his famous father managed on a daily basis. In this amazing book, the author shares intimate details of Ireland throughout the 20th century. Events leading up to the Easter Rising of
   1916, the Civil War of the 1920s, and World War II are thoroughly documented as de Valera weaves a rich and fascinating tapestry of the times. For this information alone the book is priceless, and yet the author gives readers so
   much more than simply a lesson in politics.
   
   Born in 1922, the youngest of seven de Valera children, Terry grew up in a very different Ireland than exists today. Charming, chatty anecdotes reveal fascinating tidbits of everyday life in the twenties and thirties when the
   atmosphere and standards of Irish society were far removed from what they are today. Formality of dress and social interaction, rudimentary treatments for medical conditions, experiencing death and funerals, and listening to news on the wireless radio are but a few reminiscences adding interest to this book. The author also shares tender memories of childhood
   in an unspoiled and undeveloped countryside, as well as his years at Blackrock College. His recollections of rugby games, struggles with Latin, and trips to the confessional enlighten and entertain. But the meat of de Valera's memoir concerns the life and times of his father.
   
   The author clearly states one purpose of his memoir is to correct long held beliefs about his father. For example, Eamon de Valera has been portrayed rather unsympathetically as a man without humor or humanity. Information from those who knew him best proves the one time President of Ireland and the League of Nations to be a man of great strength with passionately held
   loyalties and beliefs, a man quick to apologize and forgive.
   
   Through the notes of Terry's mother, Sinead de Valera contributes powerful commentaries about the life she shared with Eamon. She tells of his many imprisonments due to hard stands against British controls of Irish freedoms. Of particular interest were details of their friendship with Michael Collins and why Collins signed the treaty in de Valera's absence. Her notes address in detail the Gaelic League, Sinn Fein, and secret plans the Allies devised
   to pressure Ireland into joining them in World War II. I found Mrs. de Valera's contributions to this book to be invaluable.
   
   It's impossible to cover in review the information found in Terry de Valera's memoir. In essence, the author looks back with grace on a long life lived with humor and honesty, providing pieces to a picture of his famous father who was President of an Ireland long gone.



3. Terry de Valera, the youngest son of Éamon and Sinéad de Valera, was born a few short weeks before the start of the Irish Civil War in June 1922. This book details his recollections of an interesting life as solicitor, and the people he encountered, but concentrates principally on his memories of his parents. Terry de Valera witnessed some of his father's most important actions in his political life, and was in a perfect position to give details that historians will find most interesting.
   
   For example, it has often been said that de Valera refused an offer by Winston Churchill to reunite Ireland in return for the use of Éire's ports during the Second World War; Terry de Valera throws serious doubt on this contention. He also gives insights into his father's views on important Irish and world issues, which is important as Éamon de Valera wasn't given to airing his opinions openly, although it seems that he did when in private.
   
   One of the main reasons for writing the book, according to the author, was the memoir by Sinéad de Valera that Terry persuaded her to write, and which is included almost in its entirety. Sinéad was a children's writer, but was also a language activist and amateur actress before her marriage. In addition, her experiences of the revolutionary period give a good idea of her great courage, and her opinions are also often edifying (for example, her insight on why Michael Collins signed the Treaty).
   Terry sets out to correct some erroneous ideas put out in recent times as part of the campaign to undermine Éamon de Valera's reputation. (Many English academics of recent times have painted a misleading and often completely false picture of de Valera and his achievements. For example, I have seen allegations that he admired Mussolini - Terry de Valera shows this is false - that he encouraged the Italian invasion of Abysinnia - also the opposite of the truth - and that he was a terrorist.) In doing so, he gives insights into his parents' personalities, and demonstrates the integrity for which de Valera was internationally known, and which many today try to obscure.
   
   From what he says, he had a happy upbringing, far from the terror that certain biographers have recently suggested that de Valera inspired in his children. (According to these wise men, when de Valera's children praised him, they were in denial.) He also goes into detail about his father's geneaology, into which he did a good deal of research, and lays to rest the old chestnut that his (Éamon's) parents weren't married. This is done convincingly, and I would like to see what de Valera's erstwhile, hostile biographer Tim Pat Coogan has to say to that. (Though I'm not hopeful he'll admit he was wrong.) A very interesting result of his research is that de Valera was related to the famous Spanish writer - and diplomat - Juan Valera.
   
   One may, of course, argue that this is a one-sided account, but the author's obvious strong loyalty and affection for his father is balanced by his meticulousness in details; his statements are convincingly argued.
   
   I read this at a local library, and then went out to buy it. I warmly recommend it to anyone who is interested in recent Irish history or some of its most remarkable figures.

No comments about John Rawls (International Library of Essays in the History of Social and Political Thought).