William Kunstler (1919-1995) was arguably the most controversial lawyer in America. He played a key role in many of America's most famous cases--from the Chicago Seven to the World Trade Center bombing. In this extraordinarily rich autobiography, Kunstler explains why he tested American democracy to its limits and why America, to remain free, needs activist lawyers like himself. 16 pp of photos.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
At 75, the peripatetic and controversial Kunstler steps back to recount his professional and private life. Notable is his candor: Kunstler admits to craving the limelight and enjoying the trappings of celebrity, as when he moved left during the civil-rights era and became radicalized during the 1969 Chicago Seven trial, which helped end his first marriage. After thoughtfully telling of his family, youth and early legal career, Kunstler relates a saga that includes an enormous cast: Martin Luther King, Lenny Bruce (with whom he once shot heroin), the Berrigan brothers, Leonard Peltier, the Central Park "jogger case" defendant Yusuf Salaam, and El Sayyid Nosair, the accused killer of Rabbi Meir Kahane. Though Kunstler never questions the veracity of his clients, he's mostly convincing in portraying himself as a Don Quixote in a system biased toward the rich. While parts of the book could use more detail or reflection, Isenberg (Women Who Love Men Who Kill) has tamed Kunstler's memoirs into a readable narrative of a very busy life. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
Kunstler, who died in 1995, provoked strong emotions among Americans: conservatives abhorred him, and even liberals and civil libertarians were at times cautious in publicly supporting him. Yet his legal work on behalf of the poor, the disenfranchised, and those accused of some of the most heinous political crimes in U.S. history reveals a man of singular moral purpose who worked to make an America where "equal justice for all" was more than a cliche. In this autobiography, Kunstler recounts some of his most famous cases, including the trials of the Chicago Seven and the World Trade Center bombing, and tells of his early work in the Civil Rights movement. The author reads his own material in deep, passionate tones?which is all the more amazing given that he died shortly after the recording was made. Period music and recorded news broadcasts enhance the telling. Recommended for most libraries. My Life is the perfect counterpoint to popular political audio titles such as Rush Limbaugh's The Way Things Ought To Be (Audio Reviews, LJ 10/15/92) and Al Franken's Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot (Dove, 1996), so shelve it accordingly.?Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Advocacy and History,
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This review is from: My Life As a Radical Lawyer (Audio Cassette)
This book should be required reading for two sets of readers: All trial lawyers facing monstrous odds and all readers interested in the history of the United States from about 1956 to the present. The first time I read this book (five years ago, while in law school) I picked up very specific lessons regarding the practice of criminal defense law. The second time through (2002), I picked up very specific historical lessons about turbulent times in our nation's history (civil rights litigation in the 1960s, the counter-culture of the late 1960s, and the American Indian Movement). Of particular interest is the section on Mr. Kunstler's representation of a defendant in the 1993 WTC attacks.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally Inspiring.,
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This review is from: My Life as a Radical Lawyer (Hardcover)
I have read many autobiographies of lawyers and am a collector of books relating to real life court drama. Mr. Kunstler's (affectionally also known as Bill)autobiography is one of the best I've read. As a lawyer myself, I truly felt inspired by his actions in court. I can only wish in my lifetime as an advocate that I can be at least half of a court room lawyer he was. I highly recommend this book to all advocates and aspiring trial lawyers. This book is as good as Louis Nizer's "My Life In Court".
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