Rating: 
Summary: One lawyer's perspective
Review: A corporate polluter (against whom I was prosecuting an environmental action on behalf of a governmental agency) told me a year ago that he had read Civil Action, and learned a lot from it. I shudder to think what lessons he gleaned from the book . . . but I am thankful he recommended it to me. Like other truly exceptional nonfiction (e.g., Into Thin Air), Civil Action grabs you on several different levels. The book is yet another reminder that the American legal system can be a painfully inadequate way of either resolving disputes, or determining the truth. (See, e.g., People v. OJ Simpson). The book also works as a sobering morality play, in which a plaintiff's attorney, blinded by hubris, emotion, and the prospect of a multi-million dollar recovery, becomes thoroughly consumed by one case -- to the detriment of the Woburn families on whose behalf the lawsuit was brought. (Many of the lawyer's discussions about the defendant's settlement offers seem to ignore the clients' needs or desires.) Almost lost in the picture is the tale of the families themselves . . . what they have suffered, and what they will continue to suffer in the future.
Rating:
Summary: A concise view of a courtroom drama.
Review: This was an accurate view of the trials and tribulations of a trial behind the scenes. You'll fall in love with the main character at times, and also hate him at times. After reading the book it will make you think every time you hear about a case pending or a case decided.
Rating:
Summary: This book is excellent!
Review: Set in the tiny community of Woburn, Massachusetts, in the mid-1980's, was a civil case of immense proportions. For twenty years a substantial number of children were diagnosed with Luekemia, and subsequently passed away. When members of the community began their own investigation, the finger of blame eventually pointed to several large corporations who, over a period of years, disposed waste and hazardous chemicals illegally. This same waste found it's way in to the water system and ultimately in to the homes of the community. Enter Jan Schlichtmann, a tall, awkward looking lawyer from nearby Boston, who is brave enough, and some say crazy enough, to take on this important case. Through the months and years that the Woburn families struggled for justice, Jan struggled to keep his personal life and professional life in tact. With the stage set, Jonathan Harr takes us on a journey through a contamination case that will have you loathing large corporations and their look the other way mentality.
Rating:
Summary: REVIEW
Review: THE BEST BOOK OF ALL TIME. ONCE YOU START READING IT, IT WILL NOT BE PUT DOWN. I READ IT IN THE BUS, AND EVEN GOT IN TROUBLE FOR READIND THE BOOK IN MATH CLASS. A LEGAL EPIC!
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: I took this book on a business trip and carried the 500-page hardcover with me the whole time. There were times I had to close the book, but I couldn't put it down! I am not a reader of court action (fiction or non-fiction), but this title was recommended to me. I, in turn, pass on the recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, frustrating and riveting non-fiction.
Review: By reading this book I felt that had experienced first hand the painful lesson that it doesn't necessarily matter what the facts are or what the truth is in litigation. In addition, the arrogance of large corporations and governments, from local to national levels, is passively portrayed by the series of events. An excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: I'm so glad I picked up this book
Review: I picked up this book, not expecting much, and ended up loving it. It is so well written, quick-paced and engrossing, that it reads more like fiction than the true story it actually tells. I was drawn in right from the first by the awful injustice of what had happened to the families in this small town in Massachussettes. Having a brother die of Leukemia years ago, it got my attention right away, but the plight of this town and their idealistic attorney kept me reading. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: As good as non-fiction gets. Couldn't put it down.
Review: I bought the paperback to take on a trip and really couldn't put it down once I started it. I couldn't figure out how Mr. Harr knew so many details of what happened until he wrote that Tracy Kidder had suggested this topic for a book. Mr. Harr was involved with the whole subject from beginning to end. It was not written after the fact. If you like Tracy Kidder's approach to ordinary things, you'll love Jonathan Harr equally. This was every bit as gripping as In Cold Blood, just not as gruesome.
Rating:
Summary: A page turner.
Review: I could not put it down. Meticulously researched but never dull, it crackles along. The Massachusetts families whose children are poisoned by water contaminated by irresponsible corporations, the machinations of the companies' high-powered lawyers to get them off the hook, the complex personality of the lawyer who takes up the fight for the families--all kept me mesmerized. I was especially intrigued by the lawyer--a man who likes to live on the edge and was not afraid to risk everything.
Rating:
Summary: excellent read. eye opening view of corporate polluters!
Review: ride the emotional rollercoaster of toxic polluter litigation. read about the very personal and often depressing ordeal suffered by families who have experienced first hand the devastating effect industrial pollution has on children and society. you can also sense a little "david v. goliath", as a flamboyant attorney takes on corporate america. finally learn about the difficult and time consuming effort it takes to wage a battle against deep pocketed corporations.
|
