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Civil Warrior: Memoirs of a Civil Rights Attorney

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Guy Saperstein has written a beautiful masterpiece with his latest book, "Civil Warrior: Memoirs of a Civil Rights Attorney." It's not often one finds a book of this caliber, so when one does locate such a book - it is a MUST read!!

The book exemplifies the glory of justice being served. Guy Saperstein not only shares his experiences in litigating important cases, ones which have made a profound impact on our society (such as the Denny's discrimination case and the State Farm Insurance case), but he also shares valuable lessons of life. The lessons he learned from his father and throughout his many experiences in life are ever so fundamental, yet they are the kinds of lessons in life that we all would do well to be reminded of.

An incredibly enjoyable and informative book!! This is a book no one can pass up!

Saperstein says lawyers work hard. I just finished this book and I am exhausted! It is amazing, and a credit to Saperstein, what one person can do when trained, unleashed and licensed to practice law. What we see is a young, intelligent, and questioning person, confronted with injustice, accept as seemingly his fate, personal responsibility to overcome it. And-- I recall an article about him some years ago in The California Lawyer, entitled "Rich Guy" Saperstein-- he is unapologetic that his work in the public interest has brought him wealth.

It gave me chills to read again of those days of the 60s and law students and lawyers like Guy. Some might suggest one of my characters in my novel. "The Lawyers: Class of '69" was based upon Guy Saperstein. No. I could not even begin to create in fiction the very real life Guy Saperstein has led, as a member of that class of 1969 at Boalt Hall, and one of the most influential lawyers in America. An excellent read.

A must read for anyone facing a fork in the road of life...to travel the safe, well paved road society has laid for us or to venture out onto a path all you own? Guy Saperstein's "The Civil Warrior" tells the story of one attorney who blazed his own trail in social causes and made the journey for women and minorites a little easier.

Civil Warrior delivers an unusual glimpse in regards to tenacity, defense consciousness, and it's rewards both professionally and personally. Guy Saperstein gives you the key, and more, to information that is critical in understanding cognitive thinking. Peppered with humor and wit, his style is far from stuffy! This is an extremely enjoyable read. I recommend this book highly!

Although Guy Saperstein probably wrote A CIVIL WARRIOR for a broad based audience, it is very worthwhile reading for attorneys, especially civil litigators. The book begins with a description of Guy Saperstein's childhood days in Southern California, continues with stories of his law school days and the beginnings of his public interest law career. Eventually, we learn of the historic employment discrimination cases he handled. The book is inspirational. Obviously, we are richer for the results Saperstein and and his colleagues obtained through the massive class action employment discrimination cases he launched. However, A CIVIL WARRIOR also gives encouragement and inspiration to the practicing attorney to go "the extra mile" for clients. Many practioners, I believe, would likely have settled much earlier in the various litigations in which Saperstein was involved. Saperstein's description of how his cases were screened, prepared and either tried or settled are completely engrossing.

It's a rare treat to read a book that challenges you to become a leader in your chosen craft while imparting specific useful information on its subject matter. If you enjoyed reading the Buffalo Creek Disaster, you'll love this book. Saperstein weaves a personal story within a narrative that you've already heard about in the news. This is the story that you haven't heard. Next time you hear people speak against class action attorneys, pull out your copy of this book and remember the great good that this one attorney has wrought through his craft.

It's an interesting window into the life of a slacker-turned-lawyer who got drafted into class action work at a time when it was a no-money business for legal aid organizations. Love or hate plaintiffs' lawyers, it's interesting to see how he latched onto State Farm and didn't let go until they made huge changes and paid him and the people he represented a whole lot of money.
The dates and case cites are spotty in here, so don't go into it looking to do historical or legal research. For that reason, it's easy to lose track of the cases' place in time, and alarming when you realize he's writing about companies were getting away with blatant discrimination in the '80s and even into the '90s.
For a lawyer, his writing's pretty clear and concise. And the stories about him growing up and skating through school and law school in the 1960s are kind of charming.
One really good point about it is that he waited a decade to write up his story, so there's a maturity and perspective in there that would've been missing had he decided to cash in by writing a book during his rock-star days.
It's not the most exciting or revealing memoir you'll ever read, but it is a nice little story of how one of this country's most famous trial lawyers made his way in the profession.

As an aspiring law student, I found "Civil Warrior" to be incredibly inspiring - proving that good guys can finish first! Saperstein's depictions of the legal issues and courtroom trials are simple enough for the non-lawyer to easily understand. The book clearly illustrates the essential role of class-action lawsuits in fighting industry-wide, large-scale discrimination over the past thirty years - as well as the many struggles inherent in the process.

A fascinating account of the transformation of one young man into a force for real change in our society. The characterizations, the setting (1950s America, through the 60s to the present) evoked clearly and dramatically. Wonderful reading for anyone--not just lawyers/future lawyers, but for anyone looking for a good read. So well written and interesting, I have trouble putting it down! It is truly inspiring to see how one life can change the world.

A gripping account of a civil rights attorney's battles with corporate giants fighting sex, race and age discrimination. A must-read for younger people who want to know what the workplace was like for women in the 60's and 70's. Saperstein meticulously recounts testimony to portray the magnitude of the inequities, e.g., female applicants were told, "it was difficult for women to become agents because business people did not respond to women as they do to men," or "being an agent is too difficult for women because of the long hours and hard work" (p. 241-42). It's apparent that Saperstein's tenacity and success helped make it possible for qualified women and minorities to fairly compete in the workplace for better paying jobs.