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Rating: 
Summary: Ho-hummmmmmmmmm
Review: Another OJ book. Nothing new, nothing unique. Spence spends 300+ pages trying to convince the reader of what a fantastic lawyer he is. The more interesting sections revolved around details of Nicole's sexuality. She was obsessed with giving b***jobs, which became known as a "Brentwood hello". Everyone in this book gets one. Everyone!
Rating: 
Summary: The Philosophical Views of a Country Lawyer
Review: Gerry Spence was born and raised in Wyoming, and has lived there all his life. He has not lost a criminal case in his forty-year career, nor a civil case before a jury in twenty-five years. He is the Earl Rogers of our generation. He refuses to represent banks, insurance companies, big business, big corporations, and the rich and famous (unless there is a public issue involved). This book contains his comments on the trial, and much more on the justice system, and other events of the times. OJ Simpson first wanted him as his defense lawyer; he talked to R. Shapiro , and then viewed the trial. He has many comments on this event. The "experts" who never tried a murder case, never saw the inside of a jail, never worked in a courtroom, but were interviewed by the media. He compares them to professors of surgery who have never used a scalpel! Gerry Spence writes about many things that need more discussion. He says that the collective wisdom of a jury is superior to any one judge or lawyer; I think this would be due to the dialogues involved in summing up different viewpoints. He noted that the OJ Trial was used to attack the jury system, and the rights of all citizens; but this has failed too. Gerry Spence believes that OJ was guilty; but the evidence (and the jury) said otherwise. He mentions the person who claimed to have seen OJ at 10:45 driving north on Bundy, and sold her story for $5000 (she needed the money). This witness was never used by the prosecution or the defense. Since OJ was talking on the intercom to the limo driver at this time, he could not have been the driver of the "white vehicle". How reliable could this witness be? "Too good to be true"? The author doesn't discuss the possibility of "false witnessing" in this or other cases: e.g., "Tom Mooney" by Curt Gentry. Gerry Spence notes that the jury system is a defense agains prosecutorial and judicial tyranny. If you have never read any of his books, this is a good one to start with. Chapter 19 discusses the mass psychology of people on the guilt of OJ (and others). It is well worth reading. Stephen Singular's "Legacy of Deception" said "all the blood evidence is suspect". I believe the socks and the glove were planted. If a guilty OJ could dispose of the bloody clothes, shoes, knives, etc. then the socks and glove would also be gone.
Rating: 
Summary: Readable but Not that Great
Review: My Dad told me Gerry Spence is a great writer (my dad read "How to Argue..."), so I decided to try this title. It was quite fun to read but sometimes it took me a number of reads to understand his analogies. And I agree that at some points he does appear rather arrogant, as if he's the only one who knows everyone else's mistakes. But some of his "insights" are pretty interesting. So all in all it's a "fun" read but not at all fantastic. Maybe his other books will be better.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe I'm easy, but I liked it!
Review: Unfortnately, the last book on the OJ Simpson trial, before this one, wasn't the last word. Spence has become mesmerized by the persona he has created in the media. This book spends half the time telling the world how great the author is. The second half of the book is spent violating every aspect of an attorney-client privilege. Apparently he consulted with Mr. Simpson regarding anticipated litigation, yet concludes that this was not confidential, but a neat tidbit for his book. He thereafter includes the latest in promoting two storylines to attract media attention without foundation or back-up in order to gain headlines. This book is an incredible disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Celebrate The Verdict?
Review: Want to be disturbed, want to risk a difficult self-evaluation, want to endorse some uncomfortable facts about this Country's History? I guess it will be decided on why you read. Mr. Spence, "I say we must celebrate the verdict in the Simpson case, and honor the jurors for their wisdom and their unappreciated gift of freedom they have delivered to us". The first time through that statement, hopefully, will stir some emotion within anyone regardless of their color, or opinion that, "justice was aborted in this case..." And then after the emotion has passed, sit back and think about all Mr. Spence has written, and how you as an individual have any sort of race bias within you. I do not consider myself racist, but I am to a degree very wrong. If I pick up the latest novel by Robert Ludlum is there any thought given to who is behind the cash register? answer for me is no. Why then a pause regarding a book on the case of this person Mr. Simpson? I did pause when an African-American was behind the counter. Why? I thought that here in the middle of my day why do I want to possibly engage in, if not an uncomfortable moment, an outright argument. I had been routinely exposed to polls splittig the opinions of the guilt or innocence of this man based on color, and it gave me pause. Embarassing for me, and symptomatic of what the trial, and Mr. Spence's well-written book are all about. The versions of this Country's History are often great works of fiction. How would any white individual take a person of color to The Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. and not be embarassed? Mr. Jefferson used his slaves as currency for debts, and other functions that Mr. Spence will share with readers. "All men are created......several typos follow? Mount Vernon was the home to 300+ slaves, that Mr. Washinton generously "gave" their freedom to.........after he died. What a monumental meaningless act of arrogance, that resounds with others like it, to this day, to our Nation, to the States we live in, and the Towns we call home. He "gave" these people something that was not his to take or give. There is a museum on our National Mall to he Holocaust of World War II. Where is the same type of prominence at least equally worthy of note, and unique in that it happened HERE, ON OUR SOIL, to the African Americans, and Native Americans of this Country? Saddam gasses his people, we stand tall and condemn the man, and he doubtlessly deserves it. If we had the Helicopters and the gas in the 19th Century we would have used them too. Ugly fact, absolutely, one of the many issues we need to deal honestly with? only if we care about the length and quality of our Country's Future. Mr Spence said, "it takes a certain amount of courage to live in a Democracy". Sir Winston Spencer Churchill said, "No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time". You want to be moved, made a bit uncomfortable with all that you may have felt about this case, want to produce ideas that can improve all of our lives? Read Mr. Spence's book it will catalyze you! Democracy is something you have to want and to work for, it's a demanding system to live under. Name anything worthwhile that isn't. What's the alternative? Francis McInerney
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