Rating: 
Summary: OK if you want a Trial History book.
Review: I was disappointed with this book. It seemed "flat", something was missing. I think that there was not enough critical commentary and analyis on the closing arguments selected and what made them the "greatest" closing arguments in modern law. The book essentially gives the facts of the case, a brief commentary on the summation, then the summation itself. If you buy this book, read the table of contents first so that you know whether or not you are interested in reading about the chosen cases. Otherwise the book will not be a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: This is great rhetoric?
Review: I was tremendously disappointed with this book. It contains nothing but the blathering of lawyers, who everyone knows use words as though they were bludgeons. For anyone seeking wonderful speech, artful rhetoric, or earth-shaking persuasion, seek elsewhere. I suspect that Mr. Lief, et al., have chosen these arguments from the narrow view of lawyer-hood, without much regard for their true value as speeches--but then perhaps I ask too much of the reviled profession. In any event, skip the commentaries (I wish the authors had--I'd have given them another star if they had).
Rating: 
Summary: A worthwhile read for a trial attorney
Review: If only for Spence's closing in the Silkwood case, this book is worth every penny. A real thing of subtle and effective beauty, that closing contains so many incredible and useful techniques, it's just plain stunning. The subtle allignment of Spence to the jurors in groups in which Spence and the jurors can work together are wonderful and powerful -- Spence places himself and the jurors by turns in a self built retirement community, and in the class of local state citizens all the while emphasizing that the cause of the need for retirement and the genesis of Spence's new found home state membership is the defense's prolongation of trial -- wonderful. The rhyming "if the lion gets away, Kerr McGee must pay" is hard-to-forget and masterfully so. The analysis that proceeds each transcript is useful and informative. Buy it if you can.
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: Ladies and Gentlemen... kills two birds with one stone by providing an eduactional and intruiging experience. You will hit your curiousity spot by learning what the landmark trials of the United States were all about, and you will also get locked into some of the most persuasive literature I have ever seen.While those who are interested in the legal field are virtually guaranteed to be interested in reading Ladies and Gentlemen..., you don't need to be anything close to a lawyer to appreciate this. This anthology of closing arguments teaches the reader how to connect/communicate with others. After reading a series of closing arguments, I learned different strategies to use to relate to a group of people to get my point across (in this case, a jury). This book is great to any businessman, negotiator, or even those who want to improve their basic social, everyday, oral skills. I just bought this book for ten of my friends for the past holiday season, and I got star reports from all of them. I recommend this innovative book to all types of readers. --Emanuel Abrishami
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: Ladies and Gentlemen... kills two birds with one stone by providing an eduactional and intruiging experience. You will hit your curiousity spot by learning what the landmark trials of the United States were all about, and you will also get locked into some of the most persuasive literature I have ever seen. While those who are interested in the legal field are virtually guaranteed to be interested in reading Ladies and Gentlemen..., you don't need to be anything close to a lawyer to appreciate this. This anthology of closing arguments teaches the reader how to connect/communicate with others. After reading a series of closing arguments, I learned different strategies to use to relate to a group of people to get my point across (in this case, a jury). This book is great to any businessman, negotiator, or even those who want to improve their basic social, everyday, oral skills. I just bought this book for ten of my friends for the past holiday season, and I got star reports from all of them. I recommend this innovative book to all types of readers. --Emanuel Abrishami
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but also see Common Sense Rules of Advocacy
Review: Some good lessons in Lief'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 on it's web site, or search Amazon for ISBN 1587330059.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone who is or wants to be a litigator!
Review: The authors have done a fantastic job of resurrecting some of the finest closing arguments of all time. From Gerry Spence's closing in Silkwood (perhaps the greatest closing argument ever) to the flair and panache of William Kuntsler, this book provides excitement and intrigue at the turn of every page. Completely engrossing. . . . I recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in trial practice, or plain old human drama.
Rating: 
Summary: Rip-off
Review: These are not only not the greatest closing arguments in modern law, there are barely competent. Okay, maybe this is a slight overstatement--I liked Spence on Silkwood, but the rest are lackluster. The title should be, "A few ponderous closing arguments given in high-profile cases."
Rating:
Summary: Rip-off
Review: These are not only not the greatest closing arguments in modern law, there are barely competent. Okay, maybe this is a slight overstatement--I liked Spence on Silkwood, but the rest are lackluster. The title should be, "A few ponderous closing arguments given in high-profile cases."
Rating:
Summary: More Appropriately Titled "Very Good Closing Arguments"
Review: Truthfully, I wish I had read the reviews before I purchased this book. Not that it is bad read - it certainly is not - but because the title is misleading (e.g., one is led to believe this work focuses on improving trial advocacy skills.) Within twenty or so pages, the reader soon finds Lief's effort to actually be a historical piece with a minimum of analysis. Rather dry but then again so is almost anything that is repetitive in nature. First, the ten "greatest" closing arguments fail to rise to that level because it is impossible to discern the criteria for such a standard. The author admits to as much in the introduction when he states that it is terribly presumptuous to make such a claim. Second, while I gave the author much leeway in the above area precisely because he admitted to the outrageousness of the claim, I was nevertheless extremely disappointed because of the noticeable strain in attempting to include a selection comprised of both famous cases (which, of course, do not always have great closing arguments) and great closing arguments (which, conversely, are not limited to famous cases.) What the author winds up with is a disjointed mish-mash of trials that fails to establish a cohesive central theme. Finally, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury" is almost completely devoid of any critical analysis. As any trial record can be accessed by submitting a Freedom of Information Act request to the appropriate agency, a book purporting to contain the most influential closing arguments in American history should offer the reader much more than just mere recitations. Truly, this facet of the work manifests an extreme oversight. A few quick comments before I conclude. Skip the two Darrow arguments - they'll just knock you out (seventy-five years ago he may have been eloquent but, by today's standards, he is a complete bore.) Similar to the above, the Nuremberg argument drags on indefinitely. However, be sure to read the Silkwood and Manson cases (trust me, you'll be on the edge of your seat the entire time.) The other five cases, while interesting from a historical perspective, don't really add much to the reading experience. In short, recommended as light reading over the weekend but only if you wish to improve your understanding of the development of the American legal system.
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