The Man to See: Edward Bennett Williams Ultimate Insider; Legendary Trial Lawyer [Hardcover]

Evan Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991

Legendary attorney Edward Bennet Williams was arguably the best trial lawyer ever to practice. Now, for the first time, best-selling author Evan Thomas takes us into the courtrooms of William's greatest performances as he defends "Godfather" Frank Costello, Jimmy Hoffa, Frank Sinatra, The Washington Post, and others, as well as behind the scenes where the witnesses are coached, the traps set, and the deals cut.

In addition to being a lawyer of unprecedented influence, Williams was also an important Washington insider, privy to the secrets of America's most powerful men. Thomas tells the truth behind the stories that made Williams one of the most talked about public figures of his time, including Williams' role in the publication of the Pentagon Papers and the possibility that Williams may have been Watergate's Deep Throat. Based on Thomas's exclusive access to Williams's papers, "The Man to See" is an unprecedented look at the strategies and influence of this exceptional man.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Famed capital trial lawyer Williams provided legal, political, business and personal counsel to government leaders, including U.S . presidents. Superbly capturing his subject's complex, often contradictory personality, Thomas, Newsweek 's Washington, D.C. bureau chief, interviewed hundreds of people who knew the controversial attorney from the 1940s until his death at 68 in 1988. A practicing, Jesuit-educated Catholic, a womanizing hard-drinker devoted to his family, the magnetic Williams made headlines representing Sen. Joseph McCarthy and Mafia don Frank Costello. He challenged abuses perpetrated by the FBI and pressed the Washington Post to publish the Pentagon Papers. Shortly before losing his 10-year battle against cancer, William rejected an offer to head the CIA. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This action-packed biography of one of America's best-known trial lawyers moves from case to case with a list of clients that reads like a who's who among dignitaries, Hollywood stars, underworld figures, and self-made millionaires. Famous clients included Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Hoffa, Hugh Hefner, and Joe McCarthy. Williams's strategies, from how he chose jurors to his unique theatrics, made him a courtroom winner. At an hourly rate of $1000, he was the highest-paid lawyer in America! Besides portraying Williams the lawyer, Thomas also exposes the man, who was addicted to fame, power, and wealth. He was intolerant of mistakes, hated vacations, and was often preoccupied with work. But he had a soft, kind side and was always available to help a friend in need. Because of the importance and complexity of Williams's cases, this book is very informative about politics, the legal system, and recent historical events. Recommended for public and academic libraries.
- Teresa Brady, Holy Family Coll., Philadelphia
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 587 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671689347
• ISBN-13: 978-0671689346
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #545,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Evan Thomas is one of the most respected historians and journalists writing today. He is the bestselling author of six works of nonfiction: Sea of Thunder, John Paul Jones, Robert Kennedy, The Very Best Men, The Man to See, and The Wise Men. Evan Thomas was made editor at large of Newsweek in September 2006 and is the magazine's lead writer on major news events and the author of more than a hundred cover stories.
Thomas has won numerous journalism awards, including a National Magazine Award in 1998 for Newsweek's coverage of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. In 2005, his 50,000-word narrative of the 2004 election was honored when Newsweek won a National Magazine Award for the best single-topic issue.
Thomas is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. He is a graduate of Harvard and the University of Virginia Law School. He lives with his wife and two children in Washington, DC.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magnificent Biography of a Fascinating Man, December 13, 2001

By 

"thayslit" (New York

New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man to See (Paperback)

Take a fascinating subject-- Edward Bennett Williams. Add a highly-skilled author with remarkably deep interviewing and archival research skills-- Evan Thomas. Put in a lot of hard work. And presto-- you have Thomas' "The Man To See," one of the most thorough biographies ever written (I have read many hundreds).

Edward Bennett Williams was one of the most dynamic men of the 20th Century-- a great figure of destiny whose life would have seemed emptier had not Evan Thomas been his biographer. EBW was a self-made man in the days where one could still achieve that accolade. He was no spoiled yuppie of family money. Bright, hard-working, forward-thinking, compassionate and disciplined-- and a wonderful rogue!-- this was Edward Bennett Williams. Warts and all, Evan Thomas presents the larger-than-life lawyer who pioneered criminal law practice in postwar America, bringing the constitution into the 20th Century. He sought power for the purpose of doing good, after doing well. Thomas interviewed practically every living person with whom EBW had a conversation or situation.

I am re-reading "The Man to See" for the fourth time in ten years. It remains fresh and fun. What a brilliant book!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tremendous book, November 26, 2000

By 

Schmerguls "schmerguls" (Sioux City, Ia USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Man to See (Paperback)

I have never been more absorbed by a book than by this one. Admittedly my interest was heightened by the fact that Williams was my criminal law teacher at law school, but I found this a fantastic book. Evan Thomas (did you know he is Norman Thomas' grandson?) paints Williams warts and all, and I found it a searing read. The account of Williams' deathly fight with cancer is most poignant. Anyone at all interested in law should read this book, and anyone interested in an amazing life will be enthralled by this account.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man to See..., December 24, 1999

By 

"pilawshark" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man to See: Edward Bennett Williams Ultimate Insider; Legendary Trial Lawyer (Hardcover)

This is one of those books that you'll have to read twice. It is that good. Like a good movie, the end comes to quickly. If you are a lawyer, you will especilly appreicate and understand the trials and tribulations of Edward Bennett Williams.