The Law in Shambles [Paperback]

Thomas Geoghegan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 097281969X | ISBN-13: 978-0972819695 | Publication Date: October 26, 2005

It's an enduring axiom: before there is democracy, there is rule of law. Thomas Geoghegan argues here in his lively pamphlet that as the pillars of the American legal system are crumbling, so too is the American democracy.

Geoghegan convincingly explains how the 2000 presidential election was only the first sign that justice is now driven by party politics. He notes how even lawyers are becoming disillusioned with the law, as federal cases are increasingly determined by whether they are heard by a Bush-appointed judge or a Clinton-appointed judge.

Geoghegan ultimately contends that the sense of disorder in our legal system has never been greater, and we may no longer have the basic civic trust necessary to preserve the rule of law.

(20051005)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"His argument is an important one. . . .  a provocative thesis that''s written in a wonderfully accessible, polemic style."--Kevin Drum, WashingtonMonthly.com 

(Kevin Drum WashingtonMonthly.com 20060101)

"An original and outrageous thinker . . .  It''s a 142-page paperback--a quick, fun read, which Geoghegan himself calls a ''pamphlet,'' but that doesn''t do the book justice, unless he means to compare it to pamphlets like Tom Paine''s Common Sense. Geoghegan''s book is intended merely to shake you up. And, boy, does it succeed."--The Federal Lawyer

 



 

(Henry Cohen The Federal Lawyer 20051212)

"When Geoghegan says that the law is in shambles, he is referring not just to our judicial system but the political one, as well. . . . He raises several questions of serious concern. Readers will probably agree with some of Geoghegan''s arguments and disagree with others. It would no doubt please him to know that he has at least touched off thoughtful discussion on important issues."--Eugene Wollan, The New York Law Journal

(Eugene Wollan The New York Law Journal 20060409)

"Tossing out ideas like a agent provocateur of the intellect, Mr. Geoghegan dares you to disagree with him. The result, despite the fact that many of the problems he raises may well be intractable, is great mental stimulation. . . . The Law in Shambles is replete with . . . passages that make you want to pull a reference book down from the shelf to see for yourself if the author is right and you yourself (god forbid) are wrong. That''s one of the main reasons why this book is so much fun to read. . . . You may not agree with all Tom Geoghegan''s opinions . . . but I suspect you''ll enjoy the mental arm-wrestling. This is the kind of book that you find yourself going back to, over and over."--John Greenya, Washington Times

 

 

(John Greenya Washington Times )

About the Author

Thomas Geoghegan is a labor lawyer in Chicago and recently authored In America's Court.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Prickly Paradigm Press (October 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097281969X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972819695
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,356,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Something more than a rant?, August 11, 2006

By 

Ronald H. Clark (WASHINGTON, DC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Law in Shambles (Paperback)

This little book is certainly the most lively volume I have ever encountered on legal topics. The author, a prominent Chicago employment lawyer, of decidedly liberal bent, unabashedly unloads on a number of topics, but in an informative way. The author feels that the law has changed in many unfortunate ways. Among the responsible factors he identifies are (1) the decline of unions; (2) evisceration of labor law protections for workers; (3) the gradual elimination of defined benefit pension plans by 401k's (kudos to him on this); (4)recourse to tort law remedies rather than contractual relief; (5) the subplanting of regualation by tort law; (6) increased suits against city governments; (7)a loss of faith in juries and judges; and (8) low voting participation. The author puts forward some interesting proposed solutions as well. All of this is packed into a small book of petite pages numbering 142. I am fond of "the world is going to hell" books, and this is a pretty good one written by an author with some major insights into our present situation.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What law?, March 24, 2008

By 

M. Lyon (Ocala, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Law in Shambles (Paperback)

I concur with R. Clark. I tend to flip a book open before reading from cover to cover. The topic that caught my eye was "pay day lenders". Immediately I was interested in what Geoghagen had to say. Then, I thought about what impact this little essay might have on aspiring lawyers. Fortunately for young aspirants, idealism exists. Older students would tend to be more analytical. How do we restore the rule of law?