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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