Rating: 
Summary: Excellent window into this man
Review: Of course the question of honesty always comes up, with a work like this: is he pretending? Or does he really mean these things that he's saying?One thing that's true either way: this is what he's aiming at, and I think John Edwards chooses good targets. John Edwards writes about a world in which people have the right to expect they will not be subjected to needless brutality; and a world in which there are people like him to intervene if such bad things do happen. Such a world certainly appeals to me! There is a bareness, when he writes about himself, that is very endearing. A John Edwards Presidency seems to me would usher in a better life for this country, in which balance is restored between greed and communal well-being. That would be a good thing!
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Summary: Running on the Story of His LIfe..
Review: On numerous occassions I was almost brought to tears because of the suffering this man and his clients had to go through. However, Senator Edwards does not blame the people who made the mistakes, he simply asks that they be held accountable. This book is about justice, decency and courage, its about one man's positive journey through America. This isn't your normal political discourse, its his closing argument. It's a book which argues for the promise of America and the prosperity that is within each and every one of us. John Edwards is running for President on the story of his life and that is a story which largely is not even about him. The story is about his clients and about ordinary Americans who have overcome great odds in an effort to change this nation for the better. He writes to his reader, like he would speak to a jury, simple, calm, yet eloquent and forever impassioned. The book reads like a novel, you'll come away with a knowledge of the goodness of everyday Americans and a deep appreciation for a man who spent his life standing up for those who needed him most. I think he says it best, "I had the great privilege to the voice of my clients when they needed me, and the great fortune to the voice of my clients when I needed them."
Rating:
Summary: Four Trials
Review: Outstanding read. This man knows how to connect with real people. His values are our values. God Bless and win the election.
Rating:
Summary: Different from the usual political memoir
Review: Political memoirs are usually disappointing. They're self-serving, self-aggrandizing (I met blah, and then I met blah2, and my wife loved his wife, blah blah blah), humorless and pretentious. Most of all, they're boring. After all, constant name-dropping, self-justification and glossing over of any failures gets dull after, say, 20 pages.
Senator (and possible Vice President) John Edwards' book is a refreshing oasis among the political memoir desert. For one, it's more focused than the usual political memoir. Sen. Edwards before he was Senator was already renowned as a fearsome trial lawyer. This book focuses mainly on four trials that Sen. Edwards won in his 20-year career. John Edwards likes to consider himself a warrior for the "little guy." His first trial that he highlights in his book is a settlement he won for an alcoholic who was given a huge dose of Antabuse and was left completely debilitated by the neurotoxic drug. I couldn't help but admire Edwards, who when he took on this case was rather inexperienced. Many trial lawyers will not take cases for former alcoholics, as they don't exactly make for the most sympathetic plaintiffs. But the fact that Edwards refused to settle and fought for this crippled alcoholic IMO shows compassion.
Johh Edwards in this book comes across quite differently from his television persona, which is unfailingly sunny, even sweet. Here he sounds fiercely determined. I thought that if I was a corporate lawyer I wouldnt want to mess with Edwards. In particular he describes outsmarting the "other side" in the courtroom -- he seems particularly fond of letting unsympathetic witnesses dig their own graves. He describes personal tragedies (like the death of his son Wade) and there's palpable anger towards irresponsible doctors and companies.
His book is occasionally maudlin -- his descriptions of his wife and kids, for example. The book is written mostly in a flat, inoffensive prose so prevalent in these kinds of memoirs. John Edwards was too young to have been a war hero (a la John McCain), but despite the lack of overt heroics I came away with a sense of admiration for John Edwards, for his fairness and determination.
Rating:
Summary: Compassionate Integrity
Review: Senator Edwards first caught my attention this winter as a different sort of politician. Instead of the usual rancor, I saw a positive, visionary sort of campaign. I was intrigued. Wanting to know more about the man behind the campaigner, I purchased Four Trials. After reading through this brief biography and account of four key civil cases in his career, I am even more impressed by John Edwards as a man and as a leader for the future of our country (in whatever branch of government he serves). The book is a good read and a refreshing contrast to the "compassionate conservative" lie that exists in Washington today The four cases Edwards highlight illustrate his core philosophy of the need to protect average, hard-working Americans from the greed and avarice of an unrestricted and unmonitored Corporate America. If I were to paraphrase this message of this book, I would say, "Free Enterprise has made this country great, but it can never come at the cost of running over the most precious assets we have, the lives, the hope and the dreams of our citizens." Senator Edward's run for the Presidency may be done for now, but I am certain we haven't heard the last of this plain-talking man from North Carolina.
Rating: 
Summary: Champion for the little guy?
Review: Senator Edwards' book was certainly an eye opener. He portrays himself as a humble advocate for the overlooked and underpriveledged. Unfortunately, because of his actions and the actions of similar malpractice and personal injury lawyers, jackpot jury awards are driving the up the cost of physician malpractice insurance to shocking levels. It is becoming increasingly difficult for these same overlooked and underpriveledged people to have access to proper medical care as a result of doctors fleeing hostile states. He also fails to eduacate the reader about the fact that he became very wealthy from his contingency fees. I can almost see the ghost of Bill Clinton in the background of his book cover as he "feels their pain". Cry me a river.
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Summary: Thank you Senator Edwards
Review: Thank you, Senator Edwards for all the hard fights you fought on behalf of your clients and for taking the time to recall those experiences in such a moving memoir. Knowing that someone with your integrity and character could be our next president helps me sleep a lot better at night.
Rating: 
Summary: Saint Edwards?
Review: That's how my partner referred to John Edwards, sarcasm apparent in her voice, after reading this book. This is very much a character piece, designed to give a feel for Edwards as a person, rather than Edwards as a candidate. Short on policy, longer on "I care about justice for the people working to get by." Unless you're already an Edwards fan and want to learn more about your idol, or have an interest in product liability and medical malpractice civil suits, pass on this one.
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Summary: Fruitful Insights & A Clever Way To Sell The Senator!
Review: The author became an outstanding Trial Lawyer and now a strong senator with wisdom that has acquire his wealth to now graduate to a higher ideal of seeking the burden of political leadership as seen within the words of this book Senator John Edwards has written a skillful book providing much insight into his ways of focusing on trials, political causes, and the details necessary to achieve public victory without always losing the moral high ground of his own convictions. This is not an easy task for any lawyer, leader, or individual. The law itself always seeks out only solving the symptoms of any problem or wrong but not providing real solutions or results over time. This is what I call the shades of gray lines among trying to determine the righteousness of truth in times of peril for one but often bringing the burden for the all too. The book reveals the author is a terrific lawyer and merits his well earn bounty of wealth and has work very hard to step up to the elite political club of 100 senators. At the same time, the senator wants to share in the burden of leadership to help others in their own pursuits of happiness, prosperity, and endeavors to survive in a more competitive world. The book outlines the senator's success in reaching his own goals and is a very clever way to sell him to the public for his deeds to achieve in the future. He is clearly proud of his middle class roots and abilities to take on any opponent anytime with tough reasoning not just personal attacks. I came away thinking the senator knows that wisdom, neither strength nor wealth is the proper foundations for pride because love, justice, and righteousness are the prime demands of authentic leadership. Wisdom without knowledge that superior respect of others is through our service to them is futile to all. Thus, John Edwards has elevated his goal to this standard of wisdom from boyhood to manhood. Strength is the moral might to withstand temptations and subdue selfish passions for a greater benefit for all and that is how one ends up truly mighty. Hence, senator John Edwards avoids the "Diseases of the Souls" by remaining pure to his political goals devoid of political revenge, personal attacks, and fruitless lies. Wealth cannot deliver any man or woman from their fate and material riches are inferior to the ability to inspire others to achieve the spirit to lend a hand to each other. Accordingly, the author espouses that truth, justice and righteousness are goals that require the speaking and acts of loving-kindness, or they cease to be truth, justice, and righteousness. I think you will find deep revelations in this book as I did about a man, author and senator seeking to share his skills, dreams and burdens in teaching all of us, America is only as good as we make it together and if this is what the senator is selling, I think we should buy it!
Rating: 
Summary: Not your typical political autobiography
Review: The author divides the book into four sections, which basically correspond to trials that impacted John Edwards as lead litigator the most. Each case deals with an individual or family, represented by Edwards, went against a large company or organization. Although we learn a bit about legal practices and learn a bit of the background on the case, the narrative is designed to help us see Edwards' reaction to the trial rather than see how the legal process works. Interspersed in the narrative is information about Edwards, such as his marriage to his wife, a little about his childhood, and a bit about starting his own firm. These provide the readers with some perspective on Edwards in how he relates to cases and a bit on who he is, but they do not give a lot of insight into his politics, which may be by design. Only one or two comments about the government is listed, which leads me to believe this wasn't intended to be political. However, given his run for the Democratic nomination for President, the book doesn't give me a clear idea of what he would support, although I do know what kind of man he is. This is an interesting insight and a bit of alternative perspective to the typical political autobiography. Given the strength of his run for the nomination, I would recommend reading this, as he will probably be back.
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