I don't often read non-fiction books, but A Civil Action is truly one of my all-time favorite non-fictions.

It is a true account of a landmark court case against two of the largest American corporations at that time. This book offers a deep exploration into the justice system and its sometimes painful flaws.

Jonathan Harr was present for almost every aspect of this trial, from start to finish. He was permitted to attend private meetings with the plaintiffs and interviewed every character involved in the trial. This results in an almost picture-perfect description of the court case and its participants. I empathized with the characters to such an extent that I found myself physically angry when certain decisions were made.

Harr spends an impressive amount of time establishing the background and presenting the facts of the case, making you almost feel as if you are part of the jury. A Civil Action is long and the material is dense, but by the end, you are so invested in the outcome of the trial that you simply cannot put the book down.

Verdict: You have to engage with the strategy of an insanely complex and consequential legal case, but if you do, the book will not disappoint. #JudgeSkinnerSux

A Civil Action – 88% Steve Nicholas Avocados

I came across this book in the used bookstore that I frequently visit. Last time, I made a promise to myself that if it was still there, I would purchase it. I'm truly glad that I did. If you have a penchant for legal dramas or an interest in the legal profession, this is an outstanding read. It is definitely one of the finest non-fiction books I've come across in a long time. For the most part, it reads like a fictional story. Although it takes a bit of time to fully engage with the book, once you do, the 500 pages seem to pass by in a flash. The last 100 pages can be a little challenging to read as things tend to drag on a bit. However, I suppose that's an accurate reflection of what the actual case was like. And even though none of the characters are particularly likeable, it's still an incredibly engaging read.

A Civil Action, a nonfiction novel penned by Jonathan Harr, delves into the intricate legal battle between the families of Woburn, Massachusetts and two prominent processing corporations, Beatrice Foods and W.R. Grace.

The story commences by描绘了several families in Woburn whose children develop leukemia. At the heart of these events is Anne Anderson, who loses her young son Jimmy to the disease. After Jimmy's passing in 1980, Anne begins to suspect that there is more to his illness. The high incidence of childhood leukemia in a relatively small neighborhood seems too coincidental. She decides to seek legal help and eventually meets Jan Schlichtmann, a well-known young lawyer. Schlichtmann, seeing an opportunity to make a name for himself while helping the suffering families, takes on the case.

Over time, Schlichtmann files a lawsuit against both Beatrice Foods and W.R. Grace, alleging that they poisoned the groundwater in Woburn by illegally disposing of toxic chemicals. These chemicals were believed to have contaminated the wells that supplied water to the town. Schlichtmann becomes obsessed with the case, but he faces numerous challenges. He has to deal with uncooperative witnesses, two experienced and formidable lawyers on the opposing side, and the difficulty of finding conclusive evidence linking the chemicals to the leukemia cases.

As the trial progresses, Facher manages to split it into two separate trials, one for each company. He also tries to delay the proceedings to drain Schlichtmann's finances. The courtroom drama, which should be the most exciting part of the book, often feels拖沓. The detailed accounts of witness testimonies and the back-and-forth between the lawyers can be tiresome to read. Schlichtmann, despite his initial promise, makes several mistakes that give Facher the upper hand.

In the end, it becomes clear that Facher has outmaneuvered Schlichtmann. Schlichtmann is unable to present a strong case against Beatrice, especially after his geologist expert makes calculation errors. As a result, he settles for a monetary agreement with Grace before the second part of the trial begins. The jury finds Grace guilty but Schlichtmann, out of money and with little success, accepts an $8 million settlement.

Anne Anderson and many others are disappointed with the outcome, and Schlichtmann is criticized for being greedy and not having the right motives. The book, while engaging at times, ultimately leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied. It is a challenging read that requires patience, and it may not be suitable for those looking for a轻松愉快的book. However, if you are interested in legal dramas and the flaws of the legal system, it may be worth reading.

The article is interesting mainly because Jan is such an interesting individual.

I believe he had good intentions. It requires a particular type of person to recognize how egotistical one is.

The crazy aspect is how he uses his own narcissism for this truly noble cause and attempts to turn it into a weapon for good.

I think he desired to redeem himself, and that's really all that matters to him.

The book is long, yet it remains a page-turner. I rate it 4 stars.

This story about Jan is not only about his flaws but also about his attempts at self-improvement. His journey is captivating, and despite his egotism, one can't help but root for him as he tries to make a difference.

The length of the book might seem intimidating at first, but the engaging plot and well-developed characters keep the reader hooked from start to finish.

Overall, it's a great read that offers both entertainment and food for thought.

I came across this book lying discarded on the side of the road several months ago. It was only recently that I finally got around to picking it up and giving it a read.

Once I started, I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down. In just a few days, I devoured 500 pages of this captivating real-life litigation saga.

The character development in this book is truly excellent. Each character is vividly brought to life, making it easy for the reader to become emotionally invested in their stories.

Moreover, the legal jargon, which can often be overwhelming and difficult to understand, has been broken down into simple English. This makes the book accessible to a wider audience and allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the courtroom drama without getting bogged down in complex legal terms.

As a result, this book reads more like a thrilling Grisham novel than a hefty, non-fiction courtroom drama. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end, with twists and turns at every corner. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good legal thriller or is interested in learning more about the inner workings of the courtroom.

My Lame Review from BookCrossing

I had every intention of penning a brilliant and insightful book review for this particular book. However, it was book #70 of 2007, and now I'm already on book #58 of 2008. Frankly speaking, that detailed review is just not going to happen.

I will say this though - the book was truly fascinating. I believe I appreciated it even more after my book club read the famous "In Cold Blood". I vividly remember that it was completely riveting, and I simply couldn't bear to put it down. The jury selection, in particular, was so captivating that it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Ever since I finished reading this book, I've been grappling with the decision of whether to watch the movie adaptation or not. The book was so excellent that I'm reluctant to taint that perfect impression. But at the same time, it was intriguing enough that I have a strong suspicion that the movie will also be highly interesting. Who knows what the outcome will be?

A Civil Action is a captivating true account of a legal battle over water contamination in Woburn, Massachusetts. Written by Jonathan Harr, it dramatizes the story of lawyer Jan Schlichtmann, who takes on two corporate giants, Beatrice Foods and W.R. Grace. The claim is that these corporations tainted the town's water supply with cancer-causing chemicals, harming several households and causing many children to acquire leukemia. The case becomes a struggle for justice that tests Schlichtmann.

Schlichtmann is not an ideal hero. Initially, he views the case as a means to make a fortune. However, as he learns more about the families' agony, he becomes deeply involved. He and his lawyers work long hours to prove the corporations' culpability. But the corporations fight back with powerful attorneys and seemingly unlimited resources. The judicial process is slow, frustrating, and full of obstacles. Judges make bad decisions, evidence is hard to obtain, and the opposing attorneys use various stratagems to avoid responsibility.

Harr excels at making the complex legal case accessible. He explains the science behind the water contamination, the difficulty of proving the link between pollution and disease, and how the opposing attorneys manipulate the law. But he does something even better. He turns the case into a story about the people involved. We witness the pain of the parents who lost their children and the toll it takes on Schlichtmann. He becomes so obsessed with winning that he spends millions of dollars, destroys his law firm, and exhausts himself. The more he struggles, the more he realizes the judicial system is not always fair.

One of the book's central questions is whether justice can truly be achieved. The families seek answers and accountability, but the corporations are more concerned with protecting their profits and reputation. Even when Schlichtmann wins a partial victory, it doesn't feel like a real win. The corporations settle, but the money is insufficient to fully compensate the victims. The legal system continues, but the people of Woburn are left with their losses.

A Civil Action is not just a courtroom drama. It's a book about the challenges of taking on big corporations. It shows the economic and psychological costs of doing what is right. Harr writes in a thrilling style, with real twists and turns that keep readers engaged. Although it's nonfiction, it reads like a novel due to the high stakes. This book is not just for lawyers or law students. It's for anyone interested in stories about power, justice, and the environment. It encourages readers to question the power of corporate America and the difficulty of resisting their dominance. A Civil Action is a compelling, emotional, and unforgettable novel that demonstrates the complexity of truth in the courts of law.

In all honesty, they really shouldn't have put those chemicals in that water. The consequences of such an action can be far-reaching and potentially harmful. Chemicals in water can have a negative impact on the environment, affecting aquatic life and the delicate balance of ecosystems. It can also pose a threat to human health if the water is used for drinking, bathing, or other purposes.

Moreover, the addition of these chemicals may lead to water pollution, which can have long-term effects on the quality of the water and the availability of clean water sources. It is essential that we take responsibility for the protection of our water resources and ensure that they are not contaminated with harmful substances.

Perhaps a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach should have been considered instead of simply adding chemicals to the water. This could involve exploring alternative methods of water treatment or finding ways to reduce the need for chemical additives altogether. By being more conscious of our actions and their potential consequences, we can work towards a cleaner and healthier future for ourselves and for generations to come.

A truly amazing book that serves as a captivating window into the realm of civil lawsuits.

The book centers around a leukemia "cancer cluster" involving half a dozen children that emerged in the mid-1970s in Woburn, Massachusetts, approximately half an hour north of Boston. Besides the cancers, the children and their families also suffered from a plethora of strange ailments such as rashes, fatigue, headaches, and constant nausea. After extensive testing, it was established that two wells supplying Woburn's water were contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and were subsequently ordered to be shut down. It seemed likely that two factories in the area, one owned by W.R. Grace and the other by Beatrice Foods, could be the culprits. Jan Schlichtmann, a relatively inexperienced lawyer, took on the families' case and, in the process, nearly bankrupted his own firm. He expended over two million dollars on geologists, epidemiologists, doctors, law professors, and on medical and groundwater tests, all in an attempt to prove that the two companies had knowingly polluted the water and poisoned his clients. The discovery process spanned years of deposing witnesses and experts, and the actual trial endured for months. Naturally, the aftermath of appeals and counter-appeals, settlement offers and negotiations, persisted for years. It is a real-life equivalent of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce, straight out of Dickens.

This might initially sound like potentially dull material, but Jonathan Harr, a former writer for The New Yorker, manages to make it constantly engaging, alive, and real. The characters in the story, from the fanatically determined Schlichtmann to the droll Jermore Facher, the Hale & Dorr lawyer for Beatrice, to the ornery District Judge Walter Skinner, and the families of the children, all come across with their own unique qualities and flaws. One gains a sense of an honest appraisal of their characters and their role in the drama. The trial and discovery process present countless twists and turns, and demonstrate the genuine thought and intelligence that must be invested by all parties in such efforts.

Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone desiring to read about the American legal system in action, or for anyone who simply loves a great story.

Hands-down, one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is truly an amazing, thrilling, heartfelt, and riveting account of a story that I can barely believe is true.

I must admit that it is a dense read, and at times it reminded me of the earth and ocean sciences classroom in 12th grade. However, there is something about it that kept me turning the page, desperate to find out what happens next.

If you’re in search of an emotional courtroom drama that will make you think twice before drinking tap water, then this is the book for you. It takes you on a journey through a complex and captivating story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery or drama.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. It was so engaging that I had a really hard time putting it down. The author has done an excellent job in writing it, with a great flow and vivid descriptions.

However, it is quite unfortunate that it is based on a true life story. As I delved deeper into it, I found many aspects to be rather disappointing. Maybe it was because I had some preconceived notions or perhaps my expectations were too high.

To be honest, I think I might have mixed up some of the story with that of Erin Brockovich. There were certain elements that seemed somewhat familiar, and I couldn't help but draw comparisons. But overall, despite the disappointments, it was still an interesting read that made me think about various things.

This was, of course, required reading in law school. It is probably the best overall book that a prospective law student could read to prepare for the first-year curriculum or at least for the mandatory civil procedure class. Along with "Founding Brothers" and "Miracle at Philadelphia", it gives a great lay understanding of the basics of the constitution.

The book would get five stars if the author weren't so self-important. This seems inevitable for most law-trained individuals, who tend to sound self-important. Grisham suffers from the same hubris quite obviously from attending too many law conferences. At these conferences, lawyers announce to themselves the nobility of their profession, without failing to acknowledge that plumbing, carpentry, masonry, millwork, etc. are also noble professions, no less than the law. However, many people are attracted to law because of their low self-esteem and need to have a fancy title to use to lord over others.

Rant completed. As for the book itself, it traces an interesting toxic tort case through the system. It is useful in giving life to various legal strategies that come up through the process. The degree of difficulty required to make legal filings sound interesting is why the author gets four stars, not because the prose is wonderful or anything.