The Defense Never Rests [Hardcover]

F. Lee Bailey (Author), Harvey Aronson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1971

1st edition hardcover

Product Details

• Hardcover: 262 pages
• Publisher: Stein and Day; 1St Edition edition (November 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081281441X
• ISBN-13: 978-0812814415
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant insight to a brilliant mind, January 6, 2000

By 

Olly Otten (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Defense Never Rests (Hardcover)

F. Lee Bailey is as much a part of our history as were the clients he represented. This in-depth look at the thought process and strategy behind the courtroom drama that flooded millions of our TV screens in the 60s & 70s, reads better than some of the best selling John Grisham fiction Novels of today. Bailey's brave & cutting edge style of Legal defense unfolds in this book, and I found myself reading on & on with anticipation & excitement even though I already knew the outcome of most of the cases. Hats off to Mr. Bailey & may something be learned from him by everyone.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative but somewhat outdated, July 27, 2004

By 

Valjean (Salem, Ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Defense Never Rests (Mass Market Paperback)

This book, written in 1971 by F. Lee Bailey, is an account of several of his early cases. Although some of the subject matter (especially his insights on the death penalty in Massachusetts - a state that no longer has a death penalty) is somewhat outdated, I recommend this book to anyone out there who "thinks" that they know how the adjucdication process works. The book has great educational value for any and all students of Crime, Law and Criminal Justice.

Bailey was the first person to smash (in writing) the "Perry Mason-myths" that many people seem to share about the role of the defense attorney in the courtroom. He makes clear that in the American court system, the thing that is of *least* concern is whether or not a person is innocent. Details taken from his case files seem to confirm that the almighty spectre of politics is at the forefront of any courtroom processes. Police and DA's are concerned with pleasing the public and giving the appearance that they have cleared certain crimes. Bailey is about as subtle as a punch in the nose.

I also recommend this book for anyone interested in the workings and history of polygraph tests. Bailey explains the so-called "lie detector" process very well.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting if you can see the book around his big head., May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Defense Never Rests (Mass Market Paperback)

The Defense Never Rests is an interesting view into the career of one of the most famous lawyers in the United States. From O.J. Simpson to Sam Sheppard (sp?), F. Lee Bailey has been at the forefront of many famous and infamous trials.

Unfortunately what would have been a nice snapshot and insight into a legal career, the book is marred by Bailey's ego. In the cases that he won, he says it was a triumph of justice. Those he lost were when the legal system failed. Hmm...

You often get the impression when reading through the cases in the book that he writes what he wishes he would have said in those situations. I find it hard to believe that someone can make every comment or quotation perfect as he says throughout the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a particular interest in law, but only someone with a strong stomach. Some of Bailey's cases are genuinely interesting, but many are just self-inflated ego trips.