Rating: 
Summary: Abridged too far
Review: From the other reader comments, which are uniformly enthusiastic, I must conclude that the uninspiring mess I listened to was the result of overly zealous abridgement by the audio script editors. Mispronunciation of medical terms by the reader didn't help any. I can't recommend purchasing this cassette, but by all means, don't be dissuaded from reading the book.
Rating: 
Summary: First time I stayed up pass midnight to finish a book.
Review: This book reaches a level of description rarely seen before. The set of facts described in the book take you through a set of situations that make you empathize with the main character right from the start. And it is only when you empathize with the character that you find the real joy of this reading.
Rating:
Summary: Another example injustice for the little guy!
Review: This book-on-tape held my attention, and I listen to so many that this can be hard to do sometimes. I finished this feeling sorry that it was over, hoping that there was still some hope for the victims, and feeling that the judge should be ashamed of himself. It is another example of the big company being able to afford injustice as the little guy can't pay for it...I'd also love to know about the politics behind-the-scenes. I want a follow up!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Such a good and detailed book!
Review: I read this book for a Sociology class, and boy, am I glad I did. The book is so detailed and dramatic. I mean, it's a 500 page book, yet I finished it. Mr. Harr really should be given credit for the effort he took in collecting material for this true story to make it so detailed and emotional.
Rating: 
Summary: Could not put it Down!!
Review: I wanted to read it before I the movie came out on video. I was so mesmorized I had a difficult time going to bed. I also am having a difficult time drinking my tap water! I was quite disturbed by the verdicts, and feel therewas a lot more that could have been done! I truly feel that this book was written impartially and the way that Mr Harr decided to go was quite thought out and fair. He did not paint a rosy picture, just because he was writing more form the perspective of the Woburn families: he on the other hand gave a honest look into the way a trial is handled from the beginning, giving the reader the best seat! I would advise reading before the movie as I have been told it is a bit different.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent !
Review: Wonderful book describing the story of a lawyer representing the families in Woburn to prosecute 2 huge companies. Professionally written from many different points of view. I consider it to be more of a documentary book. After reading the book, I felt deeply affected and I can't stop thinking about it for a long time. An open eye to everyone about the judicial system in the US. The only trouble I have with the book is that it is a TRUE story.
Rating:
Summary: A necessary lesson in jurisprudence
Review: As an epidemiologist for a cancer registry I hope all parents will read this book. The important part is the judicial rulings that prevented the parents from following their original strategy. Did you think that the government or the courts would protect you? Guess again.
Rating: 
Summary: Too long, but an important story of environmental pollution
Review: This is the story of 8 years of litigation on behalf of parents in Woburn, Massachusetts, whose children had died of leukemia. The number of childhood leukemia deaths had exceeded the rate expected in the Woburn area. Many residents of the community believed the children's deaths were caused by an industrial solvent, trichloroethylene, that two local industrial facilities had improperly dumped into the environment. The facilities were owned by two very large corporations.The author, Jonathan Harr, relates the titanic legal and emotional struggles that attended ligating on behalf of the parents. The parents were represented by Jan Schlichtmann, a Boston attorney, who became obscessed by the suit. The two defendants were represented by high power legal firms. The trial was conducted in the court of a local judge, who is cast in the book as less than sympathetic to Schlichtmann and with the plantiff's case in general. Without revealing the outcome of the litigation,the book makes a most valuable contribtuion to the literature on industrial pollution, community suffering, and environmental responsibility. It is therefore recommended reading. However, be cautioned that the book is long--indeed, too long by about one-third. Some of the legal details become tedioius, as does the author's narrative about Schlichtmann's tantrums and feelings of insecurity.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have read
Review: Like so many other readers, I too thought this was one of the best books I have read. It reads a lot like some of the best Tracy Kidder books. I read somewhere that Judge Skinner was dissappointed in his portrayal. I was surprised. I think Jonathan Harr did a good job of giving a full and impartial presentation of a very complex matter. While the judge displayed impatience, it was certainly possible to conclude that the Judge in structuring the case as he did, was trying to ensure that the jury was not swayed by emotional evidence unless there was clearly physical evidence to connect each defendant. That is a worthy goal in our judical system. Mr. Harr also made clear that the jurors held the judge in great respect. I admire Mr. Harr as a writer. I hope we see more of him.
Rating:
Summary: Without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read!!!!!!
Review: Civil Action is definitely one of the best books I've ever read. Although the book is a true story it reads like a wonderful novel of fiction. Harr doestn't leave out any details and Jan Schlictman is one of the most intriuging characters I have ever read about. You can't go wrong with this book. It's very unfortunate that the movie was so bad. Even if you have already seen that horrible movie it still pays to read the book. It is supurbly written.
| 
