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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Liberal I like,
By
This review is from: Contrary to Popular Opinion (Mass Market Paperback)
This volume is a selection of the author's articles, columns and essays from the late 1980s to 1992. Although I often disagree with the liberal opinions of Dershowitz, I find all of his arguments quite though-provoking as he roams across issues like the American justice system, censorship, political correctness, Roe v Wade, the war on drugs and the resurgence of anti-Semitism. Of course some of the issues are dated now, hence the 4 stars.Part One is about judges, justices, juries and the courts. He argues in favor of the jury system and persuaded me that although flawed (OJ), it is a valuable mechanism to check the power of the courts and establishment structures. Part Two deals with freedom of expression and the rise of intolerance, Part Three looks at the state, the law and the rights of individuals and Part Four with the law and the politics of sex, life and death. The last section is the most interesting and deals with issues that have continued to loom larger since then. Titled "Observations Of An American Jew," it discusses trends that are quite disturbing and even more of a concern today. The chapters are: European Semitism, in which Dershowitz looks at manifestations of the continent's enduring plague during and after the fall of communism. Unfortunately this problem has become worse since he wrote these pieces. Embattled Israel, in which he points out the impossible standards to which Israel is held by the international community. Human rights abuses in other countries are often ignored whilst Israel is harshly criticized. Here he also discusses the trials of Nazi war criminals, the PLO and the Yasir Arafat. American Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism From The Right explores the similarities between the mindsets. To his credit, Dershowitz had noticed the ominous parallels long ago. These writings contain plenty of essays on the sinister Patrick Buchanan and the creepy David Duke. American Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism From The Left investigates the lies and half-truths about Israel in the media. I never realized that it was already so pervasive back then because this problem has since become very grave. Personalities like Louis Farrakhan and Hezbollah shill Noam Chomsky are also covered here. So this book is still a great read after all these years. The witty and intelligent writing makes up for those parts that have dated since the book was first published. The Case for Israel Why the Jews? The Reason for Antisemitism The Changing Face of Anti-Semitism: From Ancient Times to the Present Day The New Anti-Semitism: The Current Crisis and What We Must Do About It
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Informative and Thoughtful,
By K.A.Goldberg (Chicago) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Contrary to Popular Opinion (Hardcover)
Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz shows a surprising amount of balance and sense in this collection of newspaper columns circa 1988-1992. Dershowitz covers such topics as pornography, rights of the accused, abortion, capital punishment, civil libertarianism, Anti-Semitism, and Political Correctness. Despite the author's liberal reputation, he attacks hypocrisy and intolerance from the left as well as from the right. I didn't always agree with him, but most of his views seem well-reasoned, and I came away with a greater respect for a man that I had previously dismissed as predictable. Students of law, politics, and current events should read this book; there's much food for thought in these provocative columns.
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