The Making of a Country Lawyer

Rating:
Summary: What's behind the curtain?
Review: Although I found this book to be interesting, I still feel it lacked something. Spence tells us of his growing up, his reason for becoming a lawyer, and the trials and tribulations in life. All well and good, but what isn't he telling us? If you over look the fact that one man cannot be this great (at least I don't think so)then the book will give you some insight into his world. The review of his cases are fasinating, and there is no argue from me that he is a fantastic Attorney. Overall an enjoyable book.

Rating:
Summary: A personal, frank & moving story.
Review: I enjoy biographies and dislike most lawyers. This book caught my eye and since I had seen Mr. Spence on TV many times I checked it out of the library. I had been somewhat put off by his fringed jacket-Wyoming-cowboy persona and was prepared to dislike this book; now I can't wait to read the rest of his oeuvre. Mr. Spence shares the most intimate details of his life,including the reasons for his choice of wardrobe. His story is a fascinating one and it is told with both charm and passion. I enjoyed his descriptions of his early years hunting and working on his family's farms, evoking a vanishing America, or at least one that few of us will ever know or know anything about. He writes of the most important incident of his life, his mother's suicide, and how he finally broke the crippling bonds of guilt that tortured him for years, without self pity and with great literary skill. I salute him for sharing his story with us in such a moving and thoughtful way

Rating:
Summary: Great, but lawyers should see Comon Sense Rules of Advocacy
Review: Some good lessons in Spence's book, but learn how YOU can be a more effective courtroom advocate with "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers" by Keith Evans, which is also a wonderful book for 3Ls and new lawyers who want to learn how to be effective advocates. However, Common Sense Rules of Advocacy is NOT a book for litigators, but for advocates.

What others have said about Evans book:

"Valuable review for the old timers and an excellent primer for those who are starting the climb."
-- Jacob A. Stein, Stein, Mitchell & Mezines, Washington, DC

"Superb how-to book ...that is refreshingly readable."
-- Karl Tegland, author, "Courtroom Handbook on Washington Evidence"

"A wonderful 'Bible' for the trial lawyer who wants to win. If only we had had this in law school!"
-- Browne Greene, Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, Santa Monica, CA

"Even the most experienced trial lawyer can pick up some new techniques here."
-- Frederick C. Moss, Professor, Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University

"Valuable insights and practical lessons for anyone who advocates for a living."
-- Steve Clymer, J.D., mediator, arbitrator, and facilitator with ACCORD Dispute Resolution Services, Inc.

"Remarkable compendium of useful advice."
-- Roxanne Barton Conlin, Roxanne Conlin & Associates, Des Moines, IA (first woman President of Association of Trial Lawyers of America)

"Great introduction for the new lawyer and a wonderful learning tool for the advocate with experience."
-- Sherman L. Cohn, Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (first national President of American Inns of Court)

"Terrific guidebook."
-- Philip H. Corboy, Corboy & Demetrio, Chicago, IL

You can see more testimonials and more information about Evans' book at RulesOfAdvocacy.com. Or search Amazon for ISBN 1587330059.

Rating:
Summary: A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY, BUT A GREAT BOOK NONETHELESS...
Review: This is the 400 page story of one of America's most intriguing and venerable attorneys. Starting with the stormy night he was born, Gerry Spence chronicles his childhood, oftentimes in great detail. The pain and the joy, the bittersweet achievements and the enlightening failures Spence faced during the first 30 years of his life occupy the first two thirds of the book. The pace quickens as Spence reveals the next 20 years in the remaining hundred pages. Don't look for too much recapitulation of his landmark trials in this book. Partly because they are chronicled in separate texts, and partly because the "trials didn't make the man," Spence mentions his early trials only in passing. In an "About the Author" page, the Karen Silkwood, Penthouse, U.S. Steel, Aetna Insurance, Imelda Marcos, and Randy Weaver cases are given a cursory mention