biographies

As other reviews have noted, this is not your typical political type book. This book barely even mentions politics. If you're looking for John Edwards views on various policy, you'll have to do some homework elsewhere.

I would put this book up there with any great legal novel. The only difference is that the stories are real. I just love this book. Edwards neatly divides up the book into the four trials, each covering 40 to 50 pages. Intertwined with the storytelling of these trials is a brief biography of him and his family. The four trials he discusses are fascinating. They deal with various individuals who have been wronged and how he helped use the legal system to assist them. The book was a real "page-turner" for me. You can easily read a chapter a day and be done within a week.

After reading this book, I've come to greatly admire John Edwards the man. I'm a Democrat and had not decided who to vote for in the primary. I am sure I will be voting for Edwards now. (Assuming he is still in the race.) I only hope others will do the same. I think he will make a fine President.

This book just might change your opinion of lawyers forever. Edwards dispels the pervasive cultural prejudice against lawyers by telling four compelling true stories of tragedy and justice. These are stories of people whose lives were ruined by circumstances beyond their control. The law could never give back to them what they had lost. What it could do, with the help of one compassionate lawyer named John Edwards, was to help minimize the negative impact their tragedies would have on the rest of their lives.

Four Trials is moving and poignant. It is also no less than a restorative tonic for one's faith in the American system of justice.

John Edwards' character, his love for people, and his great respect for the law shine through in the book. Reading it impressed me so much with his integrity and compassion that I now have a new hero and a new dream for this country: to make this man President some day.

Edwards' book is excellent, but lawyers who want to be more persuasive should also get a practical book on trial advocacy, "Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers." The author, Keith Evans, practiced as a British barrister for a decade and as a California trial lawyer for many years. He also lectured regularly to many American Inns of Court.

What others have said about Evans book:

"Terrific"
-- Philip H. Corboy, Corboy & Demetrio, Chicago, IL

"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

"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

"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)

See more information about Evans' book by searching Amazon for ISBN 1587330059