Rating: 
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: Although some parts of this book contain useful advice, I am somewhat disappointed in it. First, Dershowitz too often uses this book as a sound board to express his political views about topics such as.. defense lawyers, judges, politics, etc. He comes off sounding arrogant and wastes the time of a reader who, like me, was looking for practical advice and lessons based upon his vast experience as an attorney, rather than his defense of his personal views of politics, law, and life in general. Second, this book is largely geared towards criminal law. I understand that this is what Dershowitz has spent his career practicing, but far too many chapters only apply to those who are interested in pursuing careers in criminal law. The book would be more aptly titled "Letters To A Young Criminal Lawyer." That is why I believe this book is not appropriate for everyone. There must be books written by well-known attorneys that dispense far better advice than this one.
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: Although some parts of this book contain useful advice, I am somewhat disappointed in it. First, Dershowitz too often uses this book as a sound board to express his political views about topics such as.. defense lawyers, judges, politics, etc. He comes off sounding arrogant and wastes the time of a reader who, like me, was looking for practical advice and lessons based upon his vast experience as an attorney, rather than his defense of his personal views of politics, law, and life in general. Second, this book is largely geared towards criminal law. I understand that this is what Dershowitz has spent his career practicing, but far too many chapters only apply to those who are interested in pursuing careers in criminal law. The book would be more aptly titled "Letters To A Young Criminal Lawyer." That is why I believe this book is not appropriate for everyone. There must be books written by well-known attorneys that dispense far better advice than this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Down to earth, a good place to star with the law.
Review: Candid, real world view of "the system," from a very personal place. Objections to the Dersh's political views miss the point. They are absurd really, as if New Journalism never was.If you are in the law, here is a chance to see things through the eyes of a Seasoned, Old salt. Don't pass it up because you you may not agree with everything he says. He does not appear to be trying to brainwash anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, but also see Common Sense Rules of Advocacy
Review: Dershowitz's book is excellent, but another excellent book for new and young lawyers is "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers" by Keith Evans, which is also a wonderful book for 3Ls who want to learn how to be effective advocates. Includes Roland Boyd's famous letter to his 3L son, "How to Succeed as a Lawyer". 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: Disappointed.
Review: For a Harvard law professor with extensive practical experience this book is disappointing. Mr. Dershowitz relies heavily on quotations from his previous books (sometimes quoting sections twice) and at times dispenses trivial advice. For those (like me) who have read some of his other books, Letters is repetitive and the non-repetitive portions are insubstantial. Ironically Mr. Derschowitz includes a chapter on how professors should publish without peer review and not be reluctant to get less-than-perfect writing out to the public. He followed his own advice a little too literally with this hastily drafted book. For an introduction to Dershowitz, I recommend his other books.
Rating:
Summary: Down to earth, a good place to star with the law.
Review: For some reason this book caught my eye -- perhaps because I find Alan disarmingly candid on TV. I like people who are intelligent that can get straight to the heart of an issue -- Alan is one of those all too rare people. This book is a surprisingly caustic look at the American lawyers and their weaknesses and criminal and unethical behavior -- bravo! The book also provides some insight in to the weaknesses of the American legal system. This book was written before the Enron and Worldcom crisis we now find American in. I read yesterday that seven ImClone executives and a lawyer were off-loading ImClone stock a few weeks before the final government turn-down of their new ill-researched supposed-wonder drug -- this book will help you understand how the lawyer managed to be part of this shameful affair. Yes this book would be a wonderful present for a young law student -- I would go as far as to say a "must read".
Rating: 
Summary: Intelligent, candid and surprising - a book for our times
Review: For some reason this book caught my eye -- perhaps because I find Alan disarmingly candid on TV. I like people who are intelligent that can get straight to the heart of an issue -- Alan is one of those all too rare people. This book is a surprisingly caustic look at the American lawyers and their weaknesses and criminal and unethical behavior -- bravo! The book also provides some insight in to the weaknesses of the American legal system. This book was written before the Enron and Worldcom crisis we now find American in. I read yesterday that seven ImClone executives and a lawyer were off-loading ImClone stock a few weeks before the final government turn-down of their new ill-researched supposed-wonder drug -- this book will help you understand how the lawyer managed to be part of this shameful affair. Yes this book would be a wonderful present for a young law student -- I would go as far as to say a "must read".
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: I purchased this book for my husband who is an attorney celebrating his 25th anniversary practicing law. He found this book to be so inspiring that he asked me to order 10 more copies as gifts for some of his legal associates. After reading this book he commented, "This is a reminder as to why I chose to practice law".
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book. FYI - BEWARE OF Common Sense Rules by EVANS!
Review: I recommend Letters to a Young Lawyer and consult it frequently. Highly recommended.
I have not read "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers" by Keith Evans, but I would caution potential readers to ignore its reviews. It's clear that some underground marketing is taking place as similar reviews of the book are prevalent in almost all legal advice book reviews that I've seen on Amazon. This is quite deceitful and turned me off to the extent that I will not read the book. Please be aware of this practice.
Rating:
Summary: Meta Review
Review: I was initially discouraged by the low rating "Letters..." received, but I've read sections of the book and feel that its current rating should be much higher. A 5 star review (from an established Amazon critic who uses many specific details and comments) is being dragged down by two duplicate anonymous single star reviews. It's a shame, and I urge those who have read the book to write reviews to balance out the malicious (and to my mind unfounded) panning this book got at the hands of a reader with an agenda. So far, by the way, I have found the "ethical core" section excellent, and base my review on that.
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