Customer Reviews

The Expert Expert Witness: More Maxims and Guidelines for Testifying in Court

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The Expert Expert Witness by Dr. Stan Brodsky is a powerful and invaluable tool, for novice and expert experts alike. Dr. Brodsky's writing is extremely engaging, witty, and articulate, yet the text's informal style does not minimize the importance of testifying as a professional. This book differs from other expert witness books in that it emphasizes professional competency, preparedness, and responsibility, in the context of personal integrity. The book clearly explains legal rulings applicable to expert testimony, integrated with Dr. Brodsky's vast experiential knowledge. I highly recommend that the Expert Expert Witness become a permanent part of your personal and professional library!

While this book offers some theory and concept, there is not much hands-on practical information. I searched a variety of books to assist me, a mental health professional, to be more effective in court. I read this, then Ceci's book, then someone recommended Stern's book on Preparing and Presenting Expert Testimony. That was far and away the best.

This book on expert witnessing contains 43 brief chapters and is packed with practical advice for the nervous practitioner. It is a terrific guide for the courtroom, because it tells you exactly how to deal with unexpected or aggressive courtroom questioning and to emerge with your dignity and nerves intact. The book is well written, succinct, and left me smiling. The author knows exactly how to engage the reader and to educate at the same time. There's no pomposity or overly explicative stuff here, just clearly-stated strategies that will take the edge off a potentially nervewracking experience. I've tried some of the strategies in the courtroom - and they work.

Anyone who is at all familiar with forensic psychology knows and appreciates the work of Dr.Brodsky. This text continues the long tradition of contributions to the field by Dr. Brodsky. This book, as is his ususal style, is clearly written, to the point, pragmatic and above all helpful. It contains specific strategies and guidelines that are essential to the newcomer to testifying in court. These strategies, as well, are important guides for those who have experience testifying. I have used his strategies, both from this text and the one preceeding and have found them to be on target, useful and highly effective. One should not venture into the courtroom without having had the benefit of this work.

Much appreciated by this busy professional...well-written and lucid discussions in the vocabulary of psychology, this is true-to-life perspective on court testimony. Thoughtful and comedic situations construct a bridge for understanding how the 'expert' witness can present the most credible arguments in pursuit of justice. Each chapter is summarized with a pragmatic MAXIM. One example (from number 28 of 43 chapters): "Maintaining integrity on the stand calls for careful listening, avoidance of anticipatory answers, and staying faithful to your findings and knowledge." Brodsky's points are made with practical suggestions for improving one's performance based on sound experience in delivery of legal testimony.

...for anyone who is involved in legal proceedings, professionally or otherwise. Brodsky's latest installment, based on his obviously extensive experience and insights, is replete with useful info for both those who testify and those who solicit expert testimony. At the same time, it's marvelously well written and entertaining and hard to put down once you start reading it. Brodksy has clearly done it again, and let's hope there's a third installment in the works.

a MUST read for anyone that will be testifying in court. As a lawyer, I highly recommend this book to any professional "expert" preparing for court. This book is vital for expert witnesses at all levels of experience. It is extremely well written -- the author eloquently captures the essential skills to be effective in court. The didactic tone of the book breaks down the essential skills for experts with carefully selected anecdotes from experienced experts to illustrate points. I keep this book on my desk as a guide in preparing my witnesses and extol the books ability to transform lackluster witnesses into highly effective and persuasive experts. To sum it up - A MUST READ FOR ANYONE GIVING EXPERT TESTIMONY.

"The Expert Expert Witness: More Maxims and Guidelines for Testifying in Court" by Stanley L. Brodsky. American Psycho. Assoc., Washington, DC. 1999 (Third Printing 2006). ISBN 1-55798-597-9, SC 197/188 pgs., Table Contents 2pgs., Preface 2 pgs., Ref. 4 pgs., Rec. Reading 3 pgs. 9" x 6".

A nicely written monograph by established legal writer, Brodsky, this 2nd book, "TEEW" of maxims expands his earlier "Testifying in Court" and introduces us to an additional 43 maxims on the good, bad and ugly opportunities to provide courtroom testimony.

Again, as a seasoned veteran Professor of Psychology, Univ. Al., coordinating with Law PhD concentration, he has been honored for his work in Forensic Psychology (AAFP), and has some 10 books to his credit. TEEW chapters cover diverse witnessing techniques and `how to' testimony ploys, i.e., re: bulletproofing, confabulations, Daubert hearings, ethics, evasive responses, floccinaucinihilipilification, gender labels, illusory documentation, inflammatory questions, Interned vulnerabilities, language, last word, lawyer bashing, offensive language, personal attacks, pulling and push-pull, ambiguities, silent treatments, taints, taping, trivial pursuits and ultimate testimony, etc.

Again, each maxim is accompanied by elegant clever drawings at the beginning and end of each chapter, attractive inveiglements drawn by illustrator Margaret Scott and deserving enhanced recognition. The writing style of TEEW is improved over the earlier book. This is recommended reading for lawyers and individuals who anticipate testifying in court as an expert expert witness.

finis

You can't lose with Brodsky. I was chewed up by a DA once as a character witness, and this would have prevented that. Brodsky doesn't grind out simple self-help stuff, you will feel that you bought a real book this time. Plenty of examples and angles, plenty of psychology and principles to apply.

an enjoyable, entertaining read. very useful content. brodsky cuts to the chase. he doesn't provide much detail regarding legal background, rules of evidence, criminal procedure, etc. in this book. he provides the essential information for the mental health professional to survive and be successful in direct and cross-examination. i believe it is worthwhile reading. for the alleviated fears, improved performance, and reduced potential embarrassing moments on the stand, it is certainly worth $13.