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Summary: Last Man Standing
Review: ... In this respect, Last Man Standing, author Jack Olsen's biography of former Black Panther Geronimo Pratt details a gripping, unfathomable, tale of a man wrongly accused of murder and as a result, spends decades in prison.While growing up in the impoverished, rural Louisiana bayou, Pratt learned how hard life can be. Tough lessons from his hard nosed father, Jack Pratt, taught Geronimo and his sibblings the value of hard work, self-reliance, and mental toughness. Geronimo, unfortunately would be forced to rely on these lessons during his constant struggle for survival throughout his entire adult life, most of which was spent incarcerated. Along with the childhood teachings of his father and a passionate sense of determination, Pratt was able to endure a fate and hardships that would have broken the average individual. Generations of African Americans after Geronimo Pratt will only be able to hear stories about what life was like in the 1960's and 1970's living as a radical trying to change the system by force. The Black Panther Party (BPP) serves as one of the most famous movements opposite the more visible nonviolent protests of the 60's. As one of the leaders of the Party, Pratt quickly rose to a powerful level within the organization. Ironically, Pratt's murder conviction was the result of members of the BPP uniting against him as well as the over zealousness of law enforcement divisions dedicated to the group's extinction. A good portion of the biography centers around Pratt's trial for murder. Readers will find it hard not to get caught up in the conspiracy theories and paranoia that the defendant had to be feeling at the time. Compelling arguments made by Pratt's lawyer, a talented young Johnnie Cochran, will instantly put you in Pratt's corner. After being presented with the facts of the case, I firmly believe that Geronimo Pratt was innocent of the crime of which he was convicted. Readers however, should remember that they are being presented with only one side of the story. The facts however, are presented clearly enough for each person to form their own opinion. I felt that this book did a good job of bringing to light the good things that the BPP did (free meals programs, literacy/education initiatives, programs to combat poverty) but I think it did a disservice by glossing over the more militant edge of the organization. Despite that minor let down, I found this novel gripping, and uplifting and I would highly recommend it to any non-fiction reader. I give "LAST MAN STANDING" a rating of 3
Rating: 
Summary: Complelling as much as it is refreshing
Review: From the moment i pick Last Man Standig up i couldn't put it down. Not knowing very much about the Geronimo Pratt case when i started the book i was continualy amased at what he was forced to endure. Olsen delivery of this story is phenominal. He does everything right. I recomend this to anyone from any generation. It paints a picture of American history that many don't know about and some want to forget.
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Summary: Amazing book, Amazing man
Review: Geronimo Pratt had one of the most honorable and incredible lives I have ever heard of. This book documents his entire life, from is Morgan City childhood to his unjust incarceration for the murder of Caroline Olsen. I literally had trouble putting this book down. It is a great read for anyone interested in the judicial system, the FBI's COINTELPRO, the Black Panther Party, and racism in general. READ THIS BOOK!!!
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Summary: Where's the Movie?
Review: I'm almost finished with this book, and as I read it, it constantly serves to remind me of just how racist the criminal (in)justice system is in this country. Though to me Olson's writing about the court proceedings were a little dry, this book is helping me to understand the extent the FBI and the CIA took to undermine the Black Panther Party and other Black organizations. It almost seems the popularity of the Black Panther Party was largely based on their constant battle with the police and the criminal (in)justice system, rather than with the struggle for Black liberation and democracy. I didn't know the specifics of Geronimo's imprisonment, but I when I went to hear him speak months after being released, I could tell he was/is a committed, disciplined, and courageous brother whose leadership could have been very important to the development of BPP, if he hadn't spent so much time in prison. This book is an important contribution to other books by or about BPP members. The rise and fall of this organization is finally being examined, and this is important because when we study what happened to Pratt and the BPP, we can understand why it is so difficult to bring about political, economic, and social freedom and true democracy in this country. Not only must freedom fighters fight the contributions within their own ranks, they/we also have to face a bunch of powerful people who will do anything they have to do to hold on to their power. I'm not sure what Pratt is doing now, but I can imagine that he has not given up hope for a better tomorrow.
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Summary: What is justice?
Review: In the midst of the flag-waving patriotism of the 21st century, it is instructive to read "Last Man Standing," a fine piece of investigative journalism and literature that reminds us of the dangers of placing power in the hands of the police. "Last Man Standing" details the ordeal of Geronimo Pratt, a Vietnam vet from a strong Louisiana family, who joined the Black Panther Party in the late '60s and became embroiled in that period's brutal politics. Whatever one thinks of the Panthers' politics, then and now, history has proven that they were the target of vicious and illegal attacks, by both local law enforcement agencies and the FBI. Through this assault, Pratt was charge with a paair of murders and sentenced to life in prison. Olsen details Pratt's early life, and the support of his family, in fine detail. In doing so, he destroys the notion that the Panthers were criminals and street thugs. In fact, Olsen lays some of the blame for Pratt's ordeal at the door of the Panthers. Bobby Seale, Huey Newton and David Hilliard, among others, refused to step forward to give Pratt key testimony, in part because of the duplicity of the FBI. "Last Man Standing" convincingly makes the case that justice lies in the province of those who can pay for it. Pratt was released, after more than a quarter century of his life had been lost, but only with the dedicated efforts of attorneys, including Johnnie Cochrane, who stuck with the case for years and years after the unjust verdict had been delivered; and even more importanly, Stuart Hanlon, who took on Pratt's case when there was little to gain from doing so. This work moved me on many levels. Most of all, I respond as the author of an unreleased play on the life and death of Panther Fred Hampton. Fred was also victimized by the actions of COINTELPRO, the brain child of the FBI. Read this book. It will, I believe, open up your eyes to what can occur when the government is granted power to proceed unfettered.
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Summary: "Best book I ever read...."
Review: Jack Olsen does a wonderful job chronicaling the tragedy and triumph of Geronimo Pratt's life, and the injustices he had to endure for 27-years. Before reading this book, I knew nothing of Olsen, and very litte about the Geronimo Pratt story. However, as a criminal justice major, I am very aware of the injustices that take palce within our criminal justice system. Olsen sheds light on the FBI (CONTELLPRO), LAPD, DA's Office, and the California Department of Corrections efforts to frame Pratt for muurder. Olsen's objectivity is refreshing; he never takes sides or express his own opinion--tells it like it is. Once I began reading, I could not stop! This book will make you laugh, cheer, think, angry, question our goveronment...I recommend every one read it; it will change your view of our justice system. Olsen is absolutely brilliant. I am a new fan...
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Summary: Truly an experience
Review: Last Man Standing a book that chronicles the life of Geronimo Pratt is truly a literay masterpiece. The author (Jack Olsen) did an excellent job of taking the reader into the depths of the American justice system. Olsens depiction of the Geronimo Pratt case may allow you to put any remaining thoughts of the O.J trial to rest. Witnessing the pain and sacrifice experienced by Geronimo and his attorneys is truly astonishing. How a man could experience such cruel and unusual punishment and harbor no ill feeling toward those who orchestrated his demise is a testiment to the true character of a man who refused to allow the system to crush his spirit. Last man standing is a book that will keep you up late at night telling yourself that you will read just one more chapter.
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Summary: ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
Review: Superlative investigative reporting, coupled with a riveting narrative, makes for a compelling and remarkable book that keeps the reader turning its pages. The author deftly chronicles the amazing journey of Geronimo Pratt, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and Black Panther Party leader, who, in 1970, fell victim to a political power struggle and was incarcerated for a murder that he simply did not commit. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, all affirmatively conspired to bring about this miscarriage of justice through a shameful and colossal abuse of power. Make no bones about it. The author weaves a most convincing indictment of the culpability of these agencies in this matter. It is a shameful episode within the criminal justice system. Were it not for the concerted efforts of his dedicated legal team, spearheaded by attorneys Stuart Hanlon and Johnnie Cochran, Geronimo Pratt would most likely still be waiting for justice. They stayed the course with him the entire time. It was through their dogged determination that Geromino Pratt's twenty seven year odyssey through the criminal justice system finally came to an end. It was a journey that few would care to make. This book is a testament to one man's faith in himself and in the truth that ultimately set him free. It is also a testament to the skill of the author in penning such a spellbinding tour de force.
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Summary: The Cure for Your Despair
Review: The courage and essential goodness of Geronimo Pratt, in spite of receiving a life sentence for a crime he did not commit, is truly inspiring. This is a wonderful book.
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Summary: The truth of the american justice system
Review: The story of geronimo pratt and his tragic and finally triumphant journey through the american criminal justice system is a classic story of the power of the human spirit and the political and racial injustice of our criminal justice system. I know something about geronimo's case and our criminal justice system: I have been a criminal defense attorney for 26 years and one of geronimo's attorneys for 28 years, beginning working on his case while in law school.Jack Olsen has captured the truth, horror and ultimate victory of this case . The story is not just geronimos; it is the story of many people who fought for his freedom beause of their belief in justice. The book should be read by everyone who is interested in our legal and political system; it should be read in high schools and colleges and law schools so that young people can get an honest view of what can happen in this country when police get too much power, when we let someones political views or race determine whether they are a "criminal".Jack Olsen worked for three years to create this book. The result is a brilliant book that is engrossing and that once again proves that truth can be stranger and ultimately more uplifting than fiction.
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