Rating: 
Summary: Shallow and over-blown book
Review: Despite its almost-500-pages length, this book is a very quick read for anyone familiar with the Simpson trial. And you better already be familiar with the trial before reading this book, because the book focuses on the trees and largely misses the forest. The world revolves around Marcia, and Marcia's always right.
The book contains plain misrepresentations of fact -- such as the time Clark told the court that she "needed to be home to care for her children." In fact, she WANTED to be the one to drive them to her husband's home that night, but her husband could just as easily have picked them up at her house. What that misrepresentation got the prosecution was an extra weekend to prepare for Rosa Lopez' testimony.
How did Clark first fix on the fact of O.J.'s guilt? "I had prosecuted literally thousands of defendants. I could feel a clench in my gut when I realized we had the right man.... That familiar twist in my stomach confirmed it." Apparently she still doesn't see that the technical facts the prosecutors put in front of the jury don't matter if the evidence was presented in such a way that the jury didn't understand that the prosecution team had made "a point." Nor does she "get" that Furhman was sank, in large part, because she didn't object to Bailey's misleading questions on Fuhrman's cross-examination, where Bailey flipped back and forth between asking Furhman if Fuhrman had "addressed" anyone with the n-word, or if Furhman had ever "used" the n-word -- two very different things.
She proudly describes herself as the "lead prosecutor," but when mistakes in the investigation and presentation of evidence come up, they aren't HER responsibility -- it's always someone else's fault.
She doesn't see that although her experience in the trial was intense, it wasn't unique. Many of her readers have also gone through similar experiences. For example, she says, "Fact of the matter is, Chris Darden and I were closer than lovers. And unless you've been through what we went through, you can't possibly know what that means." (p. 374) Perhaps she really thinks no one else has felt an emotional tug toward a co-worker during an intensive project, but that frankly shows her lack of perspective on reality.
Better books on O.J. include Toobin's The Run of His Life, and Bosco's A Problem of Evidence.
Rating: 
Summary: Somethings are better left unsaid
Review: I am a middle class african-american female and I actually enjoyed the story. I learned a lot of facts within the book that I did not know especially pertaining to the evidence. But somethings are better left unsaid. The stereotyping of a certain group of people was very unnecessary. Some of the sly remarks like "hood" referring to O.J. Simpsons home truly offended me as a reader. To constantly refer to him a traitor of his people should have simply been left out of this book. That is something that is and has always been known in the African-american community and It didn't take Marcia Clark to point this out. I consider myself a very intelligent and articulate person. But to truly understand someone try walking in their shoes for a day. Maybe If Marcia would have done that she would have understood how to approach the people who sat on that jury. Not everyone is born with a silverspoon in their mouth but as individuals it is up to us to change our conditions...........
Rating: 
Summary: An incredible story by a remarkable woman.
Review: Throughout the entire trial of O.J. Simpson, I refused to believe that "he" did it. I was sure that Marcia Clark was a feminist district attorney
trying to gain fame and fortune.............until now. After reading this sad, yet remarkable story I am more convinced than ever that "he" did do it and
that Marcia Clark did all that any human being could do to prove it. Her candor,
her humor, her frustration and her tears are all easy to share. I finished the final page with only one thought........"if only ......"
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: During the trial it was hard to learn the truth from the fiction. The tabloids were printing false information left and right. Now we have the chance to read a true account of the evidence as well as what took place during the trial. Who better to tell the story than someone who lived it day in and day out for months? Marcia explains honestly why she did the things she did while fighting for the people in the trial of the century (ex. why she called certain witnesses even though it may have seemed like a bad idea). Marcia is a strong, intelligent woman who calls it like she sees it. Great book
Rating:
Summary: Ms. Clark is very forthright and sensitive. Above all honest
Review: Ms. Clark is very forthright and sensitive. Above all veryhonest. She doesn't hide anything. She comes across as a real humanbeing. I enjoyed reading her book and infact have started reading it again. I think Ms. Clark offers much to this nation. I also think she got sold short in people laying the blame on her. Ms. Clark did a fantastic job aganist incrediable difficulties. It is sad that money and politics play so heavyly in justice and it is by no way Ms. Clark's fault.
Rating:
Summary: very compelling account of an american misjustice
Review: although quite lengthy, marcia does an excellent job of walkingthe reader through this very captivating account of a true travesty ofAmerican justice
Rating: 
Summary: jury...guaranteed loss
Review: This book was, for me, the most eagerly anticipated of theseemingly dozens out there. I wanted to know what was going throughthe prosecution's head during this debacle. Ms. Clark's frustration was abundantly evident as the trial dragged on and on, seemingly forever. Three things will stand out in my mind and they were:
No bells of doom rang out when the jury had not just a majority of women, but a majority of women who were black. Women in cases like this rarely have sympathy for the victim. I feel it's because if they did, it would mean that they would have to identify with them. In my mind, the case was over when the jury was seated. They didn't care about the victims and were dazzeled by the defendant. The supposed shock that a policeman who worked with gangs would have used a racial epethet.. It's more rare if they don't. That there was virtually no discussion in the press when more than one juror explained the quick verdict by saying that they had veen deliberating for nine months. I understood that they were given instructions every day not to form an opinion until they had all the evidence. The book was very good and answered most of my curioosity about Ms. Clarks's take on this whole mess that was the Simpson trial. I wish her luck.
Rating:
Summary: second best-bugliosi still king
Review: I have read the books by all the players and a few commentatorsI respect. clark's is clearly the best written and most enjoyable ofthe on field players'. vincent bugliosi can turn a phrase like few others and still has the most insightful work on this well worn subject. does anyone have any information on the co-author teresa carpenter.what was her role here?
Rating:
Summary: Marcia... You Done Good, Kid!!!
Review: I was not a follower of the "trial of the century". I found it boring and tedious. Two innocent people were dead, but the trial was a circus. Everyone seemed to be playing to the camera. Every night new "authorities" would pop up to comment on the day's proceedings. Every once in a while I would pay small attention to headlines about a certain cross-examination by the defense or the prosecution. To my mind, the biggest fault was with the judge, a little man with an ego way too big. I had a strong dislike for every oily member of the "dream team". But, I had a strong admiration for Marcia Clark.
Only lately have I started to read anything about the trial. I looked forward to hearing Marcia Clark's words. Although I haven't read her book, I did listen to the audio. She's a tough woman. Funny, when women are tough, they are described as "bitch". Yet, tough men are decisive, gutsy, or sharp. In listening to her speak, I found a sharp, savvy, knowledgeable woman who eventually became frustrated by the circus, and who's only wish was to see justice done. I, too, am a civil servant, and we're always getting shot down as being lazy and un-dedicated. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Some of the hardest workers in the world are civil servants. Marcia Clark showed that. She and her colleagues did their best to steer the trial toward the main issue... two people were dead and the evidence they had showed O.J. Simpson did it. But race and celebrity got in the way. I've read some comments on this book that Marcia blames everyone else for the prosecution not winning and and whines through the whole book. Nothing could be farther from the truth. She readily admitted to the mistakes she and her colleagues made. When she spoke of the defense lawyers' or judge's mistakes, it was in their violation of the law, trial procedures, judicial ethics and just plain good manners. Many times in court, she wanted to scream, but she kept her cool. She did as any mature person would behave. When things make you angry, you have to be calm or you'll look like an idiot and lose all credibility. Funny, I saw the "dream team" act immaturely at times, yet the media dubbed them "incredible". If Marcia didn't speak up, she was being "timid" or "listening too much to the polls" that said for her to become softer. In the end, a guilty man went free. All I can say to Marcia is... you done good, kid. Remember, what goes around, comes around. You did your best and you're still standing, as you said. O.J. can smile all he wants, but what went around will come around for him, too. Last week he lost his house; it's only the start. He will get his just desserts in the end. I believe that will all my heart. Right now, that's all we who believe he was guilty and the victims' families have.
Rating:
Summary: Good. Seemingly Honest and Informative
Review: This book is enjoyable and interesting. I found her commentsand assessments of the trial and the people involved much morebalanced and honest than you might expect. She cleared up a great deal of the misinformation and sound bite impressions left by the TV coverage. Recommended without a doubt!.
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