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Summary: THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY
Review: Although the word "privacy" does not appear in the United States Constitution, most Americans believe that their right to privacy is not just legally protected but fundamental to their lives, their way of living, and this country's democratic system. Abstract and difficult to define, privacy is nonetheless perceived as one of our most basic and coveted rights. But is it? How well are we protected? And what, exactly, are we protected from? Through a seamless interweaving of landmark cases, lesser - known but equally important trial decisions, and dozens of anecdotal narratives, Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy, authors of the best - selling In Our Defense, make an urgent and complicated issue more absorbing and accessible than ever before. In thier hands, we can finally see the law translated into relevant human experience. The Right to Privacy delves into six general areas: Privacy versus Law Enforcement, Privacy and Your Self, Privacy versus The Press, Privacy versus The Voyeur, Privacy in the Workplace, and Privacy and Information. Can you refuse to comply when a police officer asks to look through your luggage? Is there anything you can do to prevent all those computerized data banks from filling up with more and more personal information about you? Can television cameras follow a breaking news story right into your home? Does your boss have a right to know that you are homosexual? a smoker? dating a co - worker? Who is entitled to make life - or - death decisions for someone who is no longer able to do so? Legally,the answer to each of these questions revolves around the right to privacy. We live in a society in which our right to privacy is much discussed, misunderstood, and, in many cases, seriously threatened. The Right to Privacy will enrich the discussion, shed light on many of the misunderstandings, and illuminate the real - life, everyday impact of one of the most important issues of our time.
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Summary: An Important Book for All of Us
Review: Dear Ms. Alderman and Ms. Kennedy, thank you so much for taking the time to write this enlightening and extremely important book. Living in a society where privacy rights are trampled upon in excess with lack of concern for dignity, ethics, and human empathy, I applaud you both for your diligence and your efforts in expanding public knowledge and awareness on this topic. Hopefully there will be more and more legislation undertaken to adress the concerns specifically noted in your book. What an overwhelming project that would be... and what an important one...oh yes and my guides just stated you know where to begin first..love you, they say :) Sending much love and light..God Bless, I will remain... Anonymous.
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Summary: A Great Book on Privacy in the Courts
Review: I enjoyed this book, even though it is heavy on legal court cases. Don't let that fool you, though, it's not a legal reference. This book covers significant cases in privacy using a very interesting approach. There a interviews and behind-the-scenes stories that explain what happened, how the plaintiff felt, and what the outcome was.
If you liked this book you will love "The Digital Umbrella." It is a great compliment to this book.
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Summary: An Important Book for All of Us
Review: In Chicago, a law dating from 1952 mandated that all women arrested there, no matter how trivial their crime, *must* be strip searched by prison matrons. Not only were most of the matrons brutal in carrying out this law, but male officers routinely secretly watched this degrading, humiliating, unconstitutional action via video camera--effectively turning every Chicago police station into a producer of rape pornography for the prurient delectation of its male staff. Tragically, it was not until the early 1980's that, with the assistance of the ACLU, this law was challenged in court by a handful of the thousands of women it had victimized, resulting in the state appellate court declaring it unconstitutional. This and many other horrifying examples of privacy abuses in this country in the areas of law enforcement, the workplace and the press, among others, are detailed in The Right to Privacy. Alderman and Kennedy present shocking stories of ordinary citizens besieged by privacy violations in a non-sensational, clear and readable style that is highly accessible to ordinary people. At the same time, they give references to the case law pertinent to each situation, making this book useful for legal professionals as well. In the wake of the events of 9/11 and currently pending legislature in Congress aimed at wholesale violations of the Fourth Amendment in the name of "public safety," a well-written, accurate book on privacy such as this one has become even more relevant than it was when it was written six years ago. I highly recommend it to everyone concerned with human rights--hopefully, every citizen in this country.
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Summary: Thanks for the books!
Review: Since I was a child I wondered what Caroline Kennedy would write about should she become a writer. Thanks to all whom have help bring about finding out.
I chose this book to rate as I see so many books written by others that are destroying their subjects names, lives, and reputations.
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Summary: Excellent... if you're the right audience.
Review: This book is written by a couple of lawyers who specialize in privacy issues. It is essentially a collection of thoughly researched court cases with added commentary from the authors. As such, it reads like...well... a collection of court cases. A copy was originally lent to me by a very well-read and intelligent friend of mine who considered it overly dry. I, on the other hand, loved it. It's very details-oriented from cover-to-cover and packs in a wealth of information that is invaluable to anyone interested in the legal aspects of privacy.
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Summary: This book is a eye-opener
Review: This book should be read by anyone who is concerned about the issues that surround our rights to privacy. Alderman and Kennedy review real-life court cases to show the audience how our laws come to be. The subjects that are focused on, are the police strip-search cases, school search cases, right to die cases, right to contraception cases, and privacy in the workplace to name a few. There is also a little segment on the issues of technology (the world wide web) and privacy. Kennedy is a very qualified person to write this book, because she grew up in the media glare having very little privacy herself, and understands firsthand what it is like to have a basic fundamental right violated. The right to privacy is a very serious issue in the United States. Alderman and Kennedy do a very fine job explaining how easily our basic fundamental right to privacy can be violated. I highly recommend this book as it is very easy to read and understand.
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Summary: Real people, real cases-America's right to privacy
Review: This book takes real people and cases to display the ways the right to privacy affects us in America today. The authors--one a public figure and the other not--show privacy issues dealing with the press, our body, law enforcement, the vouyer, and the work place. The authors make you think for yourself based upon decisions and cases that state and federal courts have heard in the past. I encourage anyone who is interested in their rights dealing with privacy to read this book.
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Summary: Real people, real cases-America's right to privacy
Review: This book takes real people and cases to display the ways the right to privacy affects us in America today. The authors--one a public figure and the other not--show privacy issues dealing with the press, our body, law enforcement, the vouyer, and the work place. The authors make you think for yourself based upon decisions and cases that state and federal courts have heard in the past. I encourage anyone who is interested in their rights dealing with privacy to read this book.
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Summary: Thought provoking, and a little scary!
Review: This fascinating book outlines privacy rights in the United Statesthrough a review of case law. Covering citizens' privacy rightswith respect to police encounters, the media, and one's own body, the book reveals how far the law has evolved, and how much room there is for further protection. My personal reaction was shock at how many areas that I thought were protected, in fact are not, or are still under contention.
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