In Contempt

Rating:
Summary: A must read for all who were sickened by the verdict.
Review: Although it made some interesting reading, the book's first 100 pages were somewhat slow, since it dealt with Dardens life growing up. However, it was well written and one had to respect Mr. Darden for what he had to overcome to achieve what he did. The details of the trial were rage inducing for all those out there who still can't get over the fact that O.J. got away with murder. And the details of the racist exploits of the Dream Team, specifically Cochran, made one sympathize with Darden as possibly the only color-blind, level headed black person in America during this trial. Reading the book made me realize how much Chris Darden suffered from this trial and how morally and ethically bankrupt Cochran was. The book is a must for all who know Simpson is a brutal murderer.

Rating:
Summary: must read!
Review: Anyone who feels that our judicial system can be manipulated must read this book. It is an enlightening, honest account from the point of view of a brilliant prosecutor who happens to be African-American. I was truly sickened and enraged by the verdict, but after reading this book I was able to put views, attitudes and arguments into perspective: OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS SEVERELY FLAWED. Mr. Darden tried to bring justice by showing the truth, and he suffered for his efforts. He is not only a respectable and courageous man, but he is also an honorable attorney.

Rating:
Summary: A very good read!
Review: Chris Darden is a very good story-teller. The trial in question didn't even show up for several chapters, but who cares? The story of an "everyday joe", Darden's life is interesting, enlightening, heartwarming and well-written. As we got into the trial, it subtly turned into an apologia from a man on the defensive, thrust into the cruel glare of public and media hindsight. As expected, his spin on the unfolding events of the trial differ from others'. Everyone blamed everyone else and Darden was no different. But after getting to know him throughout the book, it's easy to want to believe him as he unburdens himself. Either way, it's a good read.

Rating:
Summary: WHY THE "TRIAL OF THE CENTURY" WAS LOST
Review: CHRIS DARDEN TRIES TO EXPLAIN THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE ACQUITTAL OF O.J. SIMPSON. WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE TO BLAME- JUDGE ITO, THE JURY, THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, ETC- DARDEN IS RELUCTANT TO ADMIT ANY SHORTCOMINGS ON THE PART OF THE PROSECUTION. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS WHEN HE ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS MISTAKE IN HAVING SIMPSON TRY ON THE GLOVE. ASIDE FROM THIS, THE BOOK IS WRITTEN WITH GREAT SINCERITY AND HONESTY AND IT DOES A GOOD JOB EXPLAINING TO THE READER SOME OF THE HAPPENINGS THAT WENT ON BEHIND THE SCENES THAT FEW WOULD KNOW ABOUT. DARDEN PROBABLY COULD HAVE LEFT OUT MUCH OF THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK WHERE HE DETAILS HIS LIFE STORY. THE BOOK SHOULD HAVE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE TRIAL ITSELF

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: Chris Darden's book "In Contempt" impresses me as being an honest attempt to communicate one man's perspective of the Simpson trial. The book reads like an extension of the real man and I could feel his frustration and disappointment as well as his integrity and ideals on every page of the book. This was not meant to be some dry treatise on the fine points of law and indeed it isn't and I for one am glad of it. Darden speaks as an individual, from his viewpoint and he does it in his own unique style. Isn't that what good historical memoirs are about? The legal system and the trial come alive through his eyes and that's what makes this a good book. He gives us one man's honest recollections and opinions, warts and all. He doesn't smooth it over or cover it or himself up. Amidst all the phoniness and empty flash of the 1990's I find that refreshing and more than that, courageous. This review , by the way, was one woman's opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Honest writing, personable, and down to earth
Review: Chris opened up his feelings to the readers. Although, he laid blame with Judge Ito and the defence team, he never once shirked his responsibility. He points blame in his direction more than any other. He tells of his life growing up and what he learned as a young black man growing up in a harsh white society. I commend him for his honest story telling. Make sure this book is part of you O.J. Trial collection.

Rating:
Summary: self-serving.
Review: Christopher Darden's book was nicely written, and one finds it difficult to put down . He wrote it as he only saw it, and of course how the other prosecutors saw it, i.e. the guilt of O.J Simpson.His refusal to acknowledge the wonderful performance of the defence team, is simply because he failed to notice that while he tried to imprison Simpson at any cost, Cochran tried to keep him out of jail, at any cost. He tries winning simpathy by inter-twinning the rather reckless lifestyle of his brother,and his death,his love for his daughter,and his own will to succeed.I was not impressed and I think many people can see through his pretences

Rating:
Summary: Better title: "In DENIAL"
Review: Darden inflates his own legal skills as well as the other prosecutors'. Darden actually believes his race had nothing to do with his being put on the prosecution team, and that the prosecutors put on a good case. He does offer one insight about an early hearing where Darden let his emotions get hot in one early hearing: "When the hearing was over, I gathered my things and walked toward the clerk, still in a bit of a funk. "I heard a voice, but I couldn't tell at first who was talking to me. I looked down at the table and realized O.J. Simpson was talking under his breath to me. 'Man,' he said flatly, 'you need to learn to control your temper.'"

Rating:
Summary: He didn't actually write it
Review: For all those of you who point out what a great writer Darden is, please note that he didn't actually write this book! It was written with the "help" of a professional writer, Jess Walter, and it shows. If Darden had been able to put his thoughts together as powerfully and compellingly as they are presented in this book, he might have won the case!

Rating:
Summary: A very inspirational account of a man seeking justice.
Review: Growing up in Los Angeles was a treat and an advantage over the rest of the country because I had the opportunity to observe many things regarding the O.J. Simpson trial. He was aquitted during the fall of my senior year of high school at Long Beach Polytechnic. We studied the current events and many teachers/students became very opinionated. Myself however, did not. I picked up the hard copy of the book entering my freshman year of college as a pre-law student. I found the book to be very compelling. Christopher Darden wrote a very inspirational account of his life growing up, and with the L.A. District Attorney's Office. I would reconmend the book to any one person who might be interested in pursuing a career seeking justice just as Christopher Darden had. I also reconmend this book to any one person who might want to read a factual account of the O.J. Simpson trial.