Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: A bit slanted Review: I found this book fascinating, if a bit slanted. There were many questions about Carter's case left unanswered. Overall, however, it is a good story about a man who was wronged by the American judicial system and who managed to survive in and then out of prison. Carter is neither hero nor victim, but a man who has had an incredible life journey and who has managed to grow despite all odds. I pray that his courageous journey continues for many years.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: ABOSLUTELY LOVED IT Review: I have not seen the movie but I was looking for a good book and took a chance on it. I could not put the book down! This is a GREAT book. And very well written. The story of his life will touch anyone. I mean this guy went through hell.As far as how correct the info is....who is to say. I only have what is in this book to go by as far as guilt or innocent is concerned. Obvisouly, the info about his case that is provided in the book makes him look innocent. And if the evidence in his first trial is in fact what we read about in the book, then this guy was innocent. Again, without having other details, there is no way of knowing if they selectively ommited more incriminating facts. Buy this book! You won't regret it. Now I have to go rent the movie to see if it can even hold a candle to the book.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A great read, gripping and heartbreaking Review: I love controversial books so I decided to pick this one up. I was not disappointed! This one makes you sad at times, angry at others (over the travesty that is the American Justice system). If you are interested in the case of Rubin Carter, or even about the mistreatment of blacks in the US, this is worth your time and money.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Skip the movie, Read this Book Review: I read this book and then saw the movie. This is a familiar formula for disappointment. The book is much better and richer than the movie. The movie portrays Carter as some kind of saint, deeply-principled, who is railroaded by the justice system. As the book reveals, Carter was a deeply troubled individual during the 1960's. Carter was a very angry person who seemed to antagonize authority. He was also an alcoholic and had selfish, chauvanistic attitudes towards women. These traits are overlooked in the film. In fact, the movie shows Carter a suave, kind person. The filmmakers probably skipped these aspects of Carter because they wanted the viewers to like Carter and root for him. In reality, Carter didn't seem a likeable person. HOWEVER, the fact that Carter was a troubled, angry person doesn't mean he's guilty of murder. Some people seem to invest their dislike of "hollywood justice" and the "cause celeb" aura surrounding this case, into convicting Carter for the murders. Don't confuse the issues. Carter was not a saint but he's still entitled to justice. Part of this book is the story of the unraveling of the prosecutor's case. As a federal district court found, the prosecutors withheld vital evidence from the defense - evidence which the defense was legally entitled to. The prosecutors also resorted to prejudice during the trial to persuade the jury of Carter's guilt. This is the so-called racial revenge theory advanced by the prosecution. The other important and most fascinating part of the book is the transformation of the man. During his prison sentence, Carter transforms himself, with the help of others, from an angry, troubled individual to a much kinder and complete human being. The movie, by overlooking Carter's bad traits, robs the viewer of this incredible growth of one person. My advice is to skip the movie and read this excellent book.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: What a Great Book! Review: I thouroughly enjoyed James Hirch's "Huricane." I found the story to be well written. I could feel the pain and strugle both men who were sentenced to life in prison were experiencing. it is a very sad reality that took place; however, I don't want to give too much of the book away, so I recommend you read it.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Fantastic Read about Amazing Man Review: I was fortunate enough to meet Hirsch and Carter recently, and the experience only added to my enjoyment of the book. Rubin Carter is an amazing speaker, and the emotion he exudes cannot properly be described with words. However, Hirsch is able to tell the story of how an angry man, wrongfully imprisoned is now able to look at every day as a gift that should not be wasted.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Rubin "Hurricane" Carter Review: In the novel, "Hurricane", Rubin is accused of a triple muder in 1966 in New Jersey. Unfortunately there were no eyewitnesses to the murder. After taking a lie detector test, the police chief knew Carter was innocent, although he guessed that Carter knew who the killer was. That was enough. He was tried with an 11 man 1 black man jury in paterson, N.J. The mayor was seeking re-election and wanted no publicity that would change his winning. The real murderer was never found. Carter spent 20 years in prison as an innocent man. Whilke in prison, he refused to wear the prison uniform, so he wore clothes worn in other parts of the prison, such as a barber's smock. In 1974,. he wrote his autobiography "The Sixteenth Round:From Round 1 Contender to #45472". He sent a copy to Bob Dylan, the poular song writer of music dealing with social injustice. For a short time his pligt was brought to the public attention. In 1980, 16 year old bot, Lesra Martin, from Brooklyn who was almost illiterate read the autobiography. He began to write letters to Rubin Carter in prison. His Canadian foster family believed in Carter's innocence, along with Lesra. He began visiting Carter in prison and so did his foster family. They all eventually moved to the Uniter States of America in order to help prove the Criminal Justice System that Rubin did not commit these muders. They began looking for evidencethat was missed during the original trial that could help clear Carter ogf the charges. I do recommend this book. I recommend this book to people who like sports, civil issues, and human interest. This book was written in an excellent form, good wording, and okay in details. James S. Hirsch very well covers all the trail and prison life of a criminal. His writing style in this book will want you to keep reading.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A Detailed Account Worth Reading Review: James Hirsch depicts Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's legal battle quite well in this nicely written biography. It is obvious that Hirsch did countless hours of research to complete it. The detail, whether it is on the actual cases, his life in prison, his encounter with Lezra, or just the background, is incredible. I liked the fact that he took this overabundance of meticulous, detailed information and spewed it out into a very cogent and readable format. Carter's story is one of perserverance, courage, and inspiration. Hirsh captures this perfectly in this well-written book. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: The facts, Ma'am, just the facts .... Review: James Hirsch does an excellent job with his biography of Rubin Carter. I read about one non-fiction book to 20 fiction books; this one could influence me to raise the percentage. They say that fact is stranger than fiction ... the story of Hurricane Carter gives credibility to that statement. Hirsch had me hooked from page one. His matter-of-fact style is rift with descriptive passages that lend themselves to the stuff good novels are often made of. The story itself: unbelievable! As a die-hard fan of historical fiction, I would recommend this tale to anyone. Tough to put down and not meant to be read through multiple sittings.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Riviting Review: James S. Hirsch writes a compelling story of RACIAL discrimination in the late 1960's that still continues today. The Hurricane shows how a man is willing to give up all his personal wants to devote all his time in proving his innocence.
|