Customer Reviews

Flame-out : From Prosecuting Jeffrey MacDonald to Serving Time to Serving Tables

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The title of this book may initially attract you because of the famous Jeffery Mcdonald murder case. But the book itself ends up being about every man..our temptations, our potential for self-destruction without regard to education or socio-economic status. And yet James Blackburn gives us a message: there is redemption--but apparently only through confession, humiliation and loss. This is an easy concept to preach but actually doing it is another thing entirely. This book is written by a man who did all of it and lived to tell the tale as a better person. It was gave me insight into myself and others--- and taught me not to judge a person by scandal in the newspaper.

I found this book to be a real exercise in courage, humility and honesty on the part of James Blackburn, and I admire him for it greatly. The fall from grace that he experienced would have completely and utterly destroyed a weaker man. To be so high and to fall so low is truly not to be underestimated. Blackburn is to be commended for sharing as much of his personal story as he did.

The honesty with which he deals with his depression are perhaps the most compelling parts of this book. It's rare that a reader is granted access to the inside of a depressed mind. Blackburn does a decent job of showing the reader what his state of mind was like at the time.

All in all, however, the book suffers from Blackburn's storytelling skills. The book reads rather much like it was directly transcribed from dictation. There is very little art in Blackburn's writing.

Nevertheless, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from work-related depression. It's truly a unique and useful read in that regard.

Jim Blackburn is a wonderful person who has chosen to open his heart to the world. The lessons to be learned by his journey from respected lawyer to convicted felon and then to waiter are invaluable. Without having a preaching or condecending tone, Jim relates to the reader his experiences and what he learned from them. It would add another wonderful chapter to his story if this books becomes a best seller.

This book tells a fascinating story that engages the reader on a number of levels. You learn what it is like to be an underdog prosecutor in one of the most celebrated murder cases ever to be tried in North Carolina and to win in a David vs.Goliath-type contest that has enough twists and turns to satisfy the most avid mystery buff. You then learn what happens to that underdog prosecutor when he goes on to fame and fortune--only to have it all unravel in a most incredible way due to the devastating effects of depression.

Jim Blackburn tells his remarkable story with great courage, honesty, and good humor. He reminds me of Pogo, who confronted the enemy only to find that "it is us." Mr. Blackburn's openness in facing the facts of his life and in telling how he started over again on a whole new path is truly inspiring. I would highly recommend this book to anyone going through a difficult time, to anyone seeking a testament to the possibilities of the human spirit, and to anyone just looking for a "good read."

I have a great deal of respect for the author. Writing this book must
have been a daunting task; one that required an immense amount of
courage. Mr. Blackburn's candor and honesty are unique and refreshing,
and the story of his fall and relatively rapid return to grace
sensational. Overcoming depression is a daunting task, one that many
individuals are unable to conquer. The first step in the journey may
be to recognize that you need help. Admitting that you have a problem
can be difficult and painful. Once you admit the problem and find
help, you must work extremely hard to conquer your demons! Overcoming
depression is a great deal of work. This book inspires readers to
climb their personal mountain to achieve and overcome obstacles. I am
both inspired and refreshed, and I sincerely admire the author for
coming back despite odds that appeared insurmountable. Although local
readers are likely to know the story of Mr. Blackburn's conviction,
writing the book has turned the story into a national one. I
appreciate and admire the author for his honesty, strenth and courage,
and wish Mr. Blackburn future success. I hope he continues writing!

I loved the book Fatal Vision and as a result, I have read just about everything I could find related to the case. I must say I was disappointed with this book. I found the story to be just a tad self-serving and not all that clearly detailed with regard to the author's reasons and behavior in stealing money from client's accounts.
True, he did say that he had a nervous breakdown and also that he used the stolen money to pay to other clients concerning money that was owed to them. However, he also mentioned that he deposited money to his own personal checking account and paid clients from those funds. Did he also use that money to spend on himself for luxtury items? If he didn't I would be surprised. If he did, and I suspect he did, I'm disappointed that he glossed over this pretty important detail by only saying that he deposited funds into his own checking account. While I appreciate the story of someone baring their soul after hitting rock bottom, there is something that tells me there is more to the story than what the author revealed. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else didn't also feel like this after reading the explanation of what the author said...or neglected to say. Funny, but like the explanation of the murderer he prosecuted, something in this story does not completely "ring true" to me.

This book was written by my friend, Jim Blackburn, who I met twenty-seven years ago when he was Assistant Attorney General for Consumer Affairs in Raleigh, North Carolina. He quickly became not only a friend, but a man I respected for his wisdom, wit, good advice, and good looks, I might add. After reading this book, I find it difficult to put into words the respect I have for his courage, perserverance, honesty, and integrity. He pours out his heart and soul regarding his journey from great heights and his fall to greater depths and does a marvelous job of conveying his emotions and detailing this very complex situation on paper.

Jim lost a great deal and made some very serious mistakes that would have broken a lesser man. His story is an inspiration to all who suffer from depression. He can now write and share greater wisdom, deeper wit, better advice, and still has the same good looks! I cannot wait for his next book!

Excellent book. True story that takes you from the highs of a successful criminal prosecution to the lows of prison and back to the highs of happiness and satisfaction with yourself. Quick and easy to read - Hard to put down. Buy it now...You'll enjoy it!

I was in a similar situation as a practicing attorney only to a greater degree. A friend of mine gave me Mr. Blackburn's book Flame Out. I had no idea who he was when I got the book. I read it in two days and still refer to it. It sounded like he was talking just to me, telling me that it would be alright. I also had mental health issues that he gave me the strength and courage to confront. I would recommend this book to anyone especially if you need something to inspire you. It is a very easy read that helped me tremendously.

I found this to be a very compelling (and true story) of an attorney whose depression led to his downfall. Great story for any attorney to read and any others interested in mental health problems. The story of Blackburn's experience in jail was riveting as well.