Buying Options

Print List Price:	$16.95
Kindle Price:	$9.99 Save $6.96 (41%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

Add Audible narration to your purchase for just $7.49

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Enter a promotion code or Gift Card

Share <Embed>

A Lion Where There Were Lambs: The Quest for Truth, Justice, and the Rule of Law in the Pacific Northwest by [Bill Erxleben]

Audible Sample

Playing...

Paused

Follow the Author

Bill Erxleben

A Lion Where There Were Lambs: The Quest for Truth, Justice, and the Rule of Law in the Pacific Northwest Kindle Edition

by Bill Erxleben (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

13 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$9.99

—

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Paperback

"Please retry"

$16.95

$4.24

The true story of a crusading lawyer willing to risk his career and reputation in some of the most famous cases in Pacific Northwest history

Referred to by a political commentator as “Front Page Bill” for his headline-making exploits, Bill Erxleben was an anti-corruption federal prosecutor, consumer protection and environmental champion. He would take on vested interests and the federal bureaucracy and win national acclaim for his zealous commitment to the public interest.

Politicians and industry representatives upset with his outspoken manner and vigorous enforcement of the law, called for his dismissal three times, including several requests that went all the way to the White House and Congress.

“In A Lion Where There Were Lambs,” Erxleben discloses new revelations and compelling details about some of the most famous, headline-breaking legal cases in the Pacific Northwest.

This fascinating story is packed with regional history, national intrigue, and lessons from the past that directly apply to today’s current events. In the era of fake news, untruthfulness, and dissembling by government, Americans must learn from history and exercise moral responsibility by speaking out to preserve the common good and our democratic institutions.

Print length

334 pages
Language

English
Publication date

April 15, 2019
File size

15285 KB
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Enabled
See all details

Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account

Editorial Reviews

Review

Erxleben recounts his eventful career as a federal attorneyand his struggle to maintain his idealism in the face of human folly.

Debut author Erxleben was born in Chicago in 1942, and thespecter of his father's powerful figure loomed large over his life; he waspolitically and religiously conservative and an unrelenting disciplinarian.When he died, the author felt "emancipated from the authoritarianism of hisrule" and "free to forge my own path." Erxleben attended Miami University andStanford Law School and served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War stationedin Great Falls, Montana, a "pleasant sanctuary" in comparison to the chaos ofbattle raging in Asia. He accepted a position as assistant attorney general forWashington state, a job that secured him an early release from his military duties,and within his inaugural year, he participated "in two of the most celebratedcriminal trials in Washington State history." One involved the prosecution ofcorrupt police officers and the other the infamous "Seattle Seven," leftistrevolutionaries charged with inciting violence. Later, Erxleben won anappointment as the Seattle regional director of the Federal Trade Commission andwas charged with the challenging task of effecting deep "structural reform" ofa bureaucracy sorely needing it. At the heart of the author's exceedinglythoughtful account of his professional efforts is the struggle against a slideinto cynicism, the natural result of bearing witness to so much moralturpitude: "I struggle to be optimistic, which is understandable, I suppose,since pessimism about the future seems to come easily to those of German descent.After all, Wagner's Ring Cycle does end with Valhalla in flames." Erxleben'sremembrance is as lucidly written as philosophically searching--Kierkegaard andSocrates interest him as much as Nixon. His account of the legal cases can be microscopicallydetailed, a granular perspective that might not grip the legal layperson.However, he furnishes not only an edifying account of the foibles ofgovernment, but also of a turbulent time in America, when many were infatuatedby the allure of "violent leftist revolution."

A perspicacious reflection on a tumultuous era in Americanhistory. --KirkusReviews

Product details

ASIN : B07LFQJLLN
Publisher : Forseti Books (April 15, 2019)
Publication date : April 15, 2019
Language : English
File size : 15285 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 334 pages
Lending : Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #2,475,563 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #355 in Law Ethics & Professional Responsibility
- #616 in Biographies of Lawyers & Judges
- #1,146 in Professional Responsibility & Law Ethics

Customer Reviews:
13 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		74%
4 star		10%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star		15%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Mary K

Fighting for the little guy

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

“A Lion Where There were Lambs” by Bill Erxleben is a masterpiece. Bill Erxleben is definitely a lion among lambs. It takes a rare individual to mold philosophy, political science, history, sociology, and jurisprudence into a oneness with true life experiences. Bill took his leadership and prosecutorial skills and become a true champion for the little people. Whether battling anti-corruption, the environment, or consumer protection, Bill was in that battle for the common person. With philosophical and sociological undertones, this autobiography is a reflection of his achievements. Bill Erxleben was a difference-maker. Kenny K.

Helpful

I. Carmack

Relatively Recent History of Washington State

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a very interesting review of what Seattle was like back in the 70's. It gives a lot of factual information in a very readable style about politics centered around Seattle.

Helpful

Frank L. Walker

Political corruption is forever.

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2019

Verified Purchase

The book lays out a picture of the conflict between progressive morality and the vested interests of business and old line politicians. Erxleben writes in a wry and self deprecating style, which is quite endearing.

Helpful

Roger Reichmuth

Fascinating professional and community adventures, and always with a plan!

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

I liked Bill's no-nonsense approach and endeavors to cut through governmental and corporate bureaucracy toward pragmatic solutions.

Helpful

Robert L.

Memoirs of a public ssrvant.

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2019

A Lion Where There Were Lambs
An autobiography and a history piece, of a very accomplished public servant, William (Bill) Erxleben.
The humbleness of his younger years may seem typical and understandable for many readers. He may have been wondering at times if he would even survive his youth-to-adulthood adventures. In 1962 he and his pal traveled to Seattle to seek employment at the Seattle World Fair. The allure of scenic Washington State would certainly engender his return. His resilience and survival skills facilitated his scholastic efforts culminating in his graduation from Stanford Law School. All of those early years amply expressed, with ensuing tear-bringing laughter by the reader.
Beginning work as a lawyer he began in the area of public law.
He passed the Wash. Bar exam and applied for his first job Assistant Attorney General office at Olympia, WA. He reviewed Dept. off Natural Resources (DNR) financial practices resulting in change from the status quo funds management to interest bearing accounts. In Washington State water shoreline management is of importance. He represented DNR Harbor line Commission in the Flo Villa case, where houseboat residents were challenging plans for waterfront apartments. His handling of the case drew the attention of the local legal establishment. He had made his initial mark in public law.
While job hunting, he met another lawyer, Stan Pitkin, who later became US Attorney for the State of WA. Stan then called on Bill to join his staff in his Seattle, WA office. He began his stint there reviewing small crime issues. Stan announced a major effort would be made to “blow the lid off public corruption in Seattle”. Bill led the office staff in a complex case that resulted in perjury conviction of a key figure, resulting from the act of lying to a Grand Jury. It was an innovative legal prosecution. Stan Pitkin was Bill’s mentor.
In 1970 a team of Vietnam war protestors, the Seattle Seven were pursued by the US Department of Justice prosecution staff, a team of attorneys from Washington DC. Before long, the Washington DC lawyer team departed, leaving the Seattle District office to handle the casa. The circus created by the Seattle Seven defendants resulted in a slow prosecution that ultimately resulted in several convictions.
Bill changed jobs, again, being hired as Seattle regional director of Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Seattle team, under his leadership, extended the reach of the FTC, in protecting consumers of the Northwest USA region. Cases such as the predatory pricing of consumer goods sold to Klamath Tribes, psychic surgeon fraud, and Oregon pharmacy price gouging, were instances where consumer protection was assured. He regretfully writes that real estate commissions remain high, in his view, but untouchable by the FTC.
The residents of the states of Washington and Oregon had been served well. His legal forays have been engraved in our common law records where future cases will be referenced accordingly. ¬†
His writing style demonstrated his ‚wordsmith capabilities. ¬†His seemingly photographic memory served him well as he outlined the legal issues, he advised and prosecuted. He very openly ¬†expressed gratitude to his mentors and those teammates that assisted in his service to the public. He exemplifies the life of Northwest citizenry with a life for all seasons.

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Humorous "coming of age" stories plus legal events in Seattle

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019

I enjoyed the humorous stories of growing up in the midwest, college in Ohio, and law school at Stanford. The author's career in Washington State involved many important and interesting legal issues that I hadn't fully understood. I recently read Hillbilly Elegy, which has some superficial similarities in structure to "Lion where there were Lambs ". Both deal with lower income midwest childhoods, college in Ohio, prestigious law school, and career, along with discussion of serious issues. The issues were social in Hillbilly Elegy, but legal in "Lion". "Lion and Lambs" is funnier.

Helpful

Faye

As Paul Harvey used to say, here is "The Rest of the Story."

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2019

Enjoyable read looking back at the development of the Federal Trade Commission and the man behind it. An impressive historian, Bill writes about the 'inside' story on many of the newsworthy happenings throughout his career that read like a trip down memory lane. For those who are too young to remember, this is a recommended read to understand those times rather than just a headline approach one often sees, without the rest of the story behind it. I found it fascinating and infinitely readable.

Helpful

barbara L Stever

Serving the Public

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2019

This is a read that provides an interesting and revealing perspective into the workings of the Pacific NW Regional Offices of the US Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission during the tumultuous times of the 1960s and 70s. Over several years as head of each agency, Bill Erxleben describes how he formed a qualified team to enforce the laws there by protecting the population from illegal activities.

Helpful

Buying Options

Buy for others

Buying and sending eBooks to others

Follow the Author

Similar authors to follow

A Lion Where There Were Lambs: The Quest for Truth, Justice, and the Rule of Law in the Pacific Northwest Kindle Edition

Editorial Reviews

Review

Product details

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.