Gideon's Trumpet by Anthony Lewis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Gideon's Trumpet
Book Review: Spellbound by the true story and the writing
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply a brief review as the book has been out for years, but is still worth your time to read how fundamental constitutional law is breathed to life from the words of our United States Constitution by the United States Supreme Court from a then backwater county, Bay County, Florida, in the Panhandle region of North Florida. Bay County's county seat is Panama City, next to the world famous Panama City Beach -- where girls go wild, spring break brings in thousands and thousands and where crime continues...
Book Review: Excellent Insight
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the better books on the Supreme Court. It covers the initial problem, the progress through the courts, to decision and brief epilogue. The insights into the inner workings of the Supreme Court are very good. I would not say unprecedented coverage, but possibly unprecedented in a single volume -- some aspects are seen in other books, just not in the same one.The author avoids any political hangups but still generates a sense of something about to happen that is politically huge. Forty years later, it is a big part of our current assumptions about law, which goes to show how powerful it was. For the author to maintain his distance must have required inordinate self control.
One of the top-ten books on the Supreme Court.
Book Review: A Classic, Essential Reading For All Law Students
Summary: 5 Stars
Gideon's Trumpet is an eloquent and informative look at a very important story in the history of the United States legal system. Not only will it teach you about the evolution of the right to counsel from the case of Gideon v. Wainwright, but it teaches you much about the practices, intricacies and eccentricities of the Supreme Court and its members. This book should be considered essential and required reading for all law students. I loved it and learned much from it.Book Review: one person's effect on history
Summary: 4 Stars
This book chronicles the struggle of Earl Gideon to overcome his conviction. During his trial for petty theft, he had no counsel and had to defend himself. He appealed his case to the Supreme Court and was given an excellent lawyer to defend him.This is an excellent real life account of how the Supreme Court conducts its business. More importantly, it's a human document re-affirming one of the central values of our country-- that one person, with a just cause, can change the course of history.
This is great reading for lawyers and law students. If you have a friend who has 'graduated' from legal thrillers, they may enjoy this intensely. Also, any fan of history will love it. Also, check out the movie with Peter Fonda. It's a great film.
Book Review: Triumph of the Law
Summary: 5 Stars
Clarence Earl Gideon, petty thief, did at least two things right in his life. He preserved his record by requesting the appointment of a lawyer for him, and he filed a timely petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.Ironically, although the Florida courts denied Gideon legal represention, the Justices appointed Abe Fortas, soon to be one of their brothers, to argue his cause. His victory, forever establishing the right of the poor to counsel in felony cases in America, was one of the landmark cases of the Warren Court.
As importantly, this book illustrates law at the human level. This is where practioners routinely encounter it. Cases studied in law school are sterile, stripping the humanity and drama from the litigants, and replacing them with rules of decision and conduct necessary for societal regulation. The distillation of fact contained within an appellate decision, even a landmark, pales in comparison to the human beings who create the cause.
Anthony Lewis's book should point law students and young lawyers to the deeper lessons of practice. Law is about people; and we, as lawyers, are their servants.