Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening
Review: Yes, I followed the trial, and no, I'm not ashamed. It was a fascinating, history-in-the-making spectacle. At some point I knew I would buy a book from one of the players, but--believing that O.J. was guilty--I refused to put my money in the hands of anyone writing on the defense side. Marsha's book seemed like the right choice. I wasn't disappointed.She brings us behind the scenes to see the inner workings of the legal process with graphic, sausage-making-like detail. We see how legal technicalities, a weak judge (Lance Ito), racially-biased jurors, media influence, and an outmatched prosecution team can lead to such a blatant miscarriage of justice as the acquittal of Mr. Simpson. There was so more to it than Mark Furhman, the LAPD, the "race card," or "jury nullification." One is lead to the conclusion that opening celebrity trials to the media is a huge mistake, and that because of rules of evidence and "prejudicial influence," the jury in this case knew fewer of the pertinent facts than the casual TV viewer. Readable but not eloquent, the writing delivers a good sense of Marcia's character--like it or not--and a few juicy tidbits on the other players. Someday a more definitive and comprehensive historical summary of this case will be written by an independent professional writer. Until then, Maria's book is the way to go. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
Rating: 
Summary: Self-Serving, Lazy and Obnoxious
Review: It's nice to see Ms. Clark making money doing something other than practicing law. As a young attorney, I watched most of the trial and was amazed to see that Ms. Clark couldn't even have made it into the finals of our Trial Advocacy competition in law school. She was aloof, self-righteous, and just plain incompetent. This book is just more of the same. I'll never forget her opening line to the jurors when she started her closing argument: "Well, we've been hanging out together for quite a while now!" If you think that is brilliant, insightful rhetoric, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, try one of the many books by Dr. Seuss. You will find them much more interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: I Broke My Vow
Review: I pledged to never read one of the multitude of books on the OJcase, but I found this book for only ( )--couldn't pass it up. What a great view of what the majority of Americans thought had happened during the "Trial of the Century." The most startling and disappointing aspect of the investigation and trial was the vulnerability to celebrity of many involved. The shameful way Judge Ito pandered was recorded each day, but to find that jurors and even investigating officers fell prey to celebrity was disgusting. Marcia Clark does not paint herself as a "victim." Nor does she come off as the loveable heroine. She is quite honest about her mistakes, both personal and professional. And it was the case of her career which ultimately ended her prosecuting professession. She knew she would never again get a "high-profile" case and feared that future cases would become high-profile. A selfless gesture?
Rating: 
Summary: How could the jurors be so blind?
Review: I bought this book as a compulsive purchase at an Everythings a dollar store. I was driven to this by morbid curiosity when I noticed that there were pictures in the middle of this book. Well the pictorial was a bit lacking in sensational morbidity, but the rest of the book was very enlightening to me. I never did follow the trial, but I must admit that without ever fully examing the evidence and circumstances I assumed O.J. was guilty. I guess it was that Slow Poke Rodriquez Bronco chase that my personal verdict was hinged upon. After reading the book I was surprised at how obvious O.J.'s guilt was. Could this guy have made a bigger mess? The only way this could have been more obvious is if he had brought Nicole's corpse along to co-star in one of his nylon commercials. This book does an excellent job of outlining how the justice system can be sabotaged by the media, ignorant jurors and a defense team with an unlimited cash supply. I applaud Marcia Clark for co-authoring this book, she has done an excellent job of explaining the behind the scenes politics of justice.
Rating:
Summary: A pain in the neck
Review: This is a whining, snippish, shallow, put the blame on everybody else book written by a woman who seems to possess all these qualities and then some! Her attempts to explain why critical evidence in this case (especially the police interview with Simpson the morning following the murders and the contents of Cowlings Bronco after the slow speed chase) was not introduced are self serving and weak, since apart from the DNA and blood evidence, they were the strongest links in the chain of extremely incriminating evidence which pointed to NO ONE BUT SIMPSON. As for the Mark Fuhrman issue, by virtually ignoring him and hoping he would go away instead of fighting this underhanded defense tactic with every breath in their bodies and every weapon at their disposal, she and the other members of the prosecution HELPED the defense turn the trial into a racial issue. You can't put the blame for the not guilty verdict entirely on the shoulders of the jury, Marcia. You must take a look in the mirror and acknowledge your own responsibility. You didn't fight for justice in this case as hard as you should have. You gave up way too soon, and you let the rest of the DA's office down, the state of California down, right thinking people down, the Brown and Goldman families down, and most of all, you let Ron and Nicole down.
Rating:
Summary: Marcia
Review: I couldn't put the book down, it had me that totally captivated. To read what Marcia went through with the case and her own life impressed me. You get to know her as a compassionate women, who values her family, friends and her job.And puts everything she has into each. Good luck to you. And I am happy to see her back on Geraldo.
Rating:
Summary: About as good as could be expected
Review: Marcia Clark succeeds in making her book about the Simpson case interesting and lively, and I think the reader does get a pretty good idea of what kind of person she is. The book is highly predictable, however, in that Clark in almost mechanical fashion slants events to justify her own actions and approaches with regard to the Simpson case. Like just about anyone in her position, she justifies, rationalizes, dumps on her enemies, praises her friends, and turns the Simpson trial into a Manichaean struggle of good vs. evil. Overall, I didn't find her a very appealing personality. She seems snippish, shallow, and self-promoting. But apparently, that's Marcia Clark.
Rating:
Summary: Clark's courage and humanity make this book exceptional
Review: I was extremely impressed with the honest approach that Clark and her co-author took to write "Without a Doubt." The reader gets to know Clark as a person who was, despite how it appeared, intimidated greatly at times by the magnitude of the Simpson Trial. Nonetheless, her character as a compassionate person and capable lawyer are inspiring. The book was gripping and extremely well written. Everything said was said well. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't Answer Bugliosi
Review: This is a poorly written book. Its more about her and her feelings than the evidence and trial strategy. I was hoping she would defend herself against Bugliosi's critical comments in "Outrage," but she virtually ignored them. Perhaps because there is no defense.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully honest and personal account of the trial
Review: This is the first book in years that has kept me so captivated and eager to read on. It really was a struggle to put the book down! What I enjoyed most was Ms Clark's informal and relaxed tone, I truly felt like I was sitting next to her throughout the trial. It also brought to light what a gross miscarriage of justice the OJ case was. I followed the trial on TV, almost constantly, but never realised how much evidence was concealed by the defence, or indeed the untruths that were told. One important issue raised in the book was that of racial discrimination, and how this can divide communities, families, and friends. In this context, racial prejudice along with the defendant's celebrity status made mockery of the entire US justice system. While reading the book, I felt great sympathy for the prosecution, as they battled on, relentless in their quest to bring wrong to right. However, I did not feel an overwhelming bias in Ms Clark's writing, something I would have expected with a book of this nature. Instead, I found her account to be mostly balanced as she relayed the events that took place during the criminal trial. Of course there were frequent personal opinions and insights, but the reader was always left to make up their own mind. Lastly I would like to focus on the parts of the book not directly linked to the trial, namely events in Ms Clark's adolescence up to the time of her first divorce. I found these to be incredibly personal and from the heart. It is easy to see how these times in her life have made her the strong and determined person she is today. I was very much inspired by the way she handled the very lowest points in her life and I think there is a message to be learned from her - never give up, life is a roller coaster full of ups and downs. Persevere and things will surely get better.
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