The Runaway Jury

Rating:
Summary: You learn the facts about tobacco.
Review: Ethics isn't in the vocabulary of the lawyers involved in the biggest civil case ever in a little court house in Mississippi. The reader will be horrified at the facts of tobacco smoke and tobacco-related death; mystified by the extent to which lawyers will tamper with the jury system; laugh at the mishaps on the jury. This book is entertaining and informative, and you will be amazed at the lengths lawyers on both sides go to to ensure they get their verdict. Grisham proves the Jury system is like a football game, and the jury is often the football

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful social commentary. Grisham does it again.
Review: As a physician, one of my greatest concerns is about our general attitudes toward addiction. Some "substance abuse" is handled by making it illegal - and, thus, trade in the substance highly profitable. The production of some is government-subsidized and backed by powerful, well-financed organizations. When promotion of addiction is profitable, that promotion will continue and flourish, regardless of the legality. First, we must understand the facts of addiction - the limited ability of the addict to make choices. Second, we must stop trying to legislate the addiction out of existence. Third, we must make it unprofitable to promote the addiction. And last, we must educate each and every person about addiction. When we attempt to help someone to stop addictive behavior through education and motivation, our target is not really that person (unfortunately) but those children and friends whom he or she can influence. John Grisham has, once again, given us insight into an incredibly important social issue, while entertaining us. I could not put it down. I am disappointed when the book is over, for I want to stay under the spell

Rating:
Summary: Not worth buying
Review: John Grisham has lost his creativity. Now he is just churning out books that seem too similar to what he has already written

Rating:
Summary: Not one of John Grisham's better books.
Review: I thought the character development was poor to nonexistent. They were stick figures inserted into a diatribe against the legal system. His characters in previous books (especially Time to Kill and Rainmaker) were much better developed, believable, and likeable

Rating:
Summary: Grisham's familiar formula hits another home run.
Review: John Grisham has found a good formula, and it serves him well once again in this novel. The wronged protagonist takes up against the monolithic system, and wins against all odds. This book is a little predictable at times, but you still race through the pages: just because you know where you're going doesn't mean the ride isn't fun!

Rating:
Summary: Once again, another timely book by Mr. Grisham
Review: I am constantly amazed at John's timeliness of his books. The runaway jury hits the bookstands at a time when our court system is evaluating a class action suit against the tobacco companies. John keeps the reader spellbound with unexpected twists and turns in the plot throughout the novel. the reality of the storyline is telling of the times. I apreciate John's insight into the judicial system, although some of the revalations in this book really provoke thoughts of what our court system really is like. A superb book, another best seller on the way to the top

Rating:
Summary: Best book by Grisham since 'A Time to Kill'
Review: I found this book to be an extremely enjoyable reading experience, although I found the ending to be far fetched. This is definitely vintage Grisham, along the lines of (in my opinion) his best work 'A Time to Kill'

Rating:
Summary: Good courtroom drama, but I miss the grand scale plots.
Review: You'd think we'd be sick of courtroom dramas after a year of living with OJ, but Grisham manages to add fascinating details to the sleazy machinations of attorneys, and has produced another very readable book. However it doesn't display the grand scale of plot that made Grisham famous in his earlier works. After reading The Firm, The Client and Pelican Brief I believed that Grisham was the greatest creator of plots since Shakespeare. In his last three books it's as if he's moved off the national stage and into small town life. I miss the FBI battling the Mafia, and big businesses' outrageous plan to assasinate the Supreme Court

Rating:
Summary: Grisham has finally learned how to write a satisfying ending
Review: The Runaway Jury is at least as good as A Time To Kill, which I had considered to be Grisham's best book so far. Grisham's books are always gripping, hard-to-put-down, and fascinating, but after the lame endings of his past few novels, I found myself wondering what kind of nonsense he would come up with to end The Runaway Jury. I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied by the simple, sensible ending of The Runaway Jury

Rating:
Summary: This book is a good summer read; vintage Grisham.
Review: Grisham has better character development than in the past, a decent plot, and a timely, interesting subject matter. I found the ending to be a bit predictable, but not so much that you stop reading. The writing urges you onto the next chapter. This is a good beach book--easy to read and enjoyable.