By the one-time federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, an important overview of the way our justice system works, and why the rule of law is essential to our society. Using case histories, personal experiences, and his own inviting teaching style, Preet Bharara describes the thought process we need to best achieve truth and justice in our daily lives and within our society.

Preet Bharara has spent much of his life examining our legal system, pushing to make it better, and prosecuting those looking to subvert it. Bharara believes in our system and knows it must be protected, but to do so, we must also acknowledge and allow for flaws in the system and in human nature.

The book is divided into four sections: Inquiry, Accusation, Judgment and Punishment. He describes why each step of this process is crucial to the legal system, but he also tells us how we all need to think about each stage of the process to achieve truth and justice in our daily lives.

Bharara uses anecdotes and case histories from his legal career - the successes as well as the failures - to illustrate the realities of the legal system, and the consequences of taking action (and in some cases, not taking action, which can be just as essential when trying to achieve a just result).

Much of what Bharara discusses is inspiring - it gives us hope that rational and objective fact-based thinking, combined with compassion, can truly lead us on a path toward truth and justice. Some of what he talks about will be controversial and cause much discussion. Ultimately, it is a thought-provoking, entertaining book about the need to find the humanity in our legal system - and in our society.

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Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law

Preet Bharara (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)

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Listening Length	10 hours and 32 minutes
Author	Preet Bharara
Narrator	Preet Bharara
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	March 19, 2019
Publisher	Random House Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07L4VPPH5
Best Sellers Rank	#13,186 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #29 in United States Judicial Branch #36 in Civil Law Procedure (Books) #56 in Law (Audible Books & Originals)

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Top reviews from the United States

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We all need to be fearless now

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019

Preet Bharara powerfully narrates his own story. Hearing it in his voice makes it all the more powerful. It is a human story, a story that can be listened to and enjoyed without taking notes. He speaks in every day English. It is an elegant speech. I find it thrilling that it is like listening to a soliloquy. I keep wanting to speak up and often do. Yes, I have interrupted Preet Bharara.

This is not just the story of his year in and out of office. This is his story, not the story of Barack Obama and Donald Trump. It is a story about who we are and who we should be. It is also about the real world -- it is about integrity and leadership. The meaning of truth is under fire: "The creeping contempt for truth" is terrifying.

The Southern District of New York makes me think of Tim Russert saying: 'Florida, Florida, Florida.' At some point the entire drama will end up playing out in the center of the world, not Florida this time, but the Southern District of New York.

170 people found this helpful

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J. Houghton

I love Preet Bharara

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019

I'm a few chapters into the book, and I'm a bit dismayed that PB didn't have some kind of editor -- or at least it seems as though he didn't. He makes a point, then makes it again, then repeats the facts that comprised the story that led to the point, then makes the point again. It's a good-hearted book, full of valuable lessons that unfortunately I felt beaten over the head with. I would like to see PB appointed to the US Supreme Court, but at the same time offer my services as a reader/editor should he decide to write another book.

110 people found this helpful

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Jane F.

inspiring

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019

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This is not a Trump bashing book. Instead it is an inspiring ramble through the legal process. It looks at the process and mindset of how justice should work. I am a scientist, and I was especially impressed by how much legal investigation and prosecution has in common with lab research. Patience, continual questioning of data and bias, and the necessity to admit when you are wrong; and of course, pursuit of truth.

57 people found this helpful

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Mona Lisa

Excellent book for lawyers and non-lawyers alike.

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019

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This is a beautifully written and thoughtful book about aspects of the criminal justice system that should be of interest to everyone. As a lawyer myself--but not one who is involved in criminal law--I found the book fascinating because it not only explains the nuts and bolts of the system, but uses stories of real people involved in it to bring it alive.

There is also something comforting, in this fraught time, about Preet's calm, measured, even humorous tone, both in writing and speech. I have both the Kindle and Audible editions and recommend them both.

50 people found this helpful

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ChristieLee

Enjoyable Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2019

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I enjoyed Preet's take on our justice system. He explains the way things are supposed to work (as opposed to the way Hollywood shows it), and how hard the decisions can actually be for the prosecutors, defenders, and judges. He uses actual cases to illustrate his points, and finds a way to explain the intricacies of our legal system in a way even non-lawyers can understand.

23 people found this helpful

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Nancy W.

Just Ice

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019

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A must read for everyone vested in the rule of law and the future of America. Ordering one for my 19 y/o granddaughter now.

32 people found this helpful

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How justice works: an insiders view

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2019

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Well written, readable and SHOULD be read by anyone who wants to understand how the Justice department denizens think and go about their work.

20 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

At least we have guardians with integrity fighting to protect the rule of law

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2019

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i found several passages pendantic and often thought Kindle had made unexpected jumps to sections i had read. Over all this book has intensified my distaste for the ignorant oligarchs trump has unleashed on America. i feel more confident karma will grace ex-president trump with a New York orange jumpsuit.

23 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Firdaus Vogt

An outstanding book by an author of exceptional intellect and humanity.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2020

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This is an outstanding book by an author of exceptional intellect and humanity. I am not easily given to hyperbole, but this book is very impressive. While it is about the job of a prosecutor, it has lessons for us all, and written in an easily accessible style. Bharara, clearly a compassionate man of integrity, was, I think, honoured by being sacked by his antithesis, to whom there are many allusions throughout the book. I read lots of books; but this is one of the best I have come across. Not only should every budding legal professional read it; but everyone concerned with humanity in our world too.

One person found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Essential read for lawyers and judges as well as the lay person.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2019

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Author can be seen frequently on CNN news and he is a straight talker who talks a lot of sense. He was the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York until Trump sacked him. He is now a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the NYU School of Law faculty. He describes a different thought on law and order in each chapter and illustrates it with examples of cases he has prosecuted. His prosecutions inspired the hit TV show “Billions”. As a lay person interested in the topic I found it to be a very interesting read.

2 people found this helpful

A. D. Thacker

Humane and wise book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2019

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Whilst it is ostensibly about the formal justice system in the US, its really about every day justice and humanity. A Great read.

4 people found this helpful

Dr. Gary S. Shea

Important

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 14, 2019

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This is a great book for contemporary affairs. Should be red by Brits as well as by Americans. Where are the last bastions of truth and truth-seeking. In different ways, all that is left are the sciences and the law courts. And what are the limits and threats to these? Read on.

One person found this helpful

FLJ

“The law doesn’t do justice. People do.”

Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2019

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In these confusing times, when jaw-dropping crimes by the powerful receive only a light slap on the wrist, while petty crimes by the powerless receive years and years behind bars, I ache for reassurance that there are prosecutors, who really care about doing justice. Preet Bharara's book convinced me there are, and he is one of them.

I enjoyed reading "Doing Justice". Preet Bharara's voice is conversational, down to earth, always smart and often funny.

The book is divided into four sections: Inquiry, Accusation, Judgment, and Punishment. His case stories of how justice is done, and how it sometimes fails, are riveting.

I enjoyed his explanation of motive versus intent:

"It surprises people to learn that a criminal’s motive—which is what books and movies and police procedurals sometimes obsess over—is generally not an element of the crime. Intent, as I’ve said before, is relevant to guilt and often hard to prove, but intent and motive are distinct concepts. Intent is that you meant to do the thing—pull the trigger, kill your victim—that it wasn’t an accident or a mistake; motive is why you did it."

On hearing the 8 words that convinced a jury to convict, "They did their homework. But they cheated too." -- I nodded my head and laughed. This is good stuff that anyone can relate to.

"Doing Justice" is a timely and important book that may help you to look at crime, punishment and the rule of law differently. And whether it restores your faith in the rule of law may turn on Preet Bharara's core belief, “The law doesn’t do justice. People do.”

2 people found this helpful

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