A Frightening Glimpse into the Flaws of the Legal System

The legal system, which is supposed to be a bastion of justice, can sometimes be shockingly biased and self-serving. This is vividly illustrated in a situation where one judge has the power to shatter the lives of numerous individuals. What's even more disturbing is when the Court of Appeals upholds inadequate and ridiculous decisions, all based on the principle of res judicata. For those with aspirations of becoming a lawyer or who are already practicing in the legal field, this book strikes a chord. The author has conducted incredibly thorough research, presenting a detailed and eye-opening account. One might expect the novel to conclude with a grand finale, but instead, it takes an entirely unexpected turn. This inevitably leads to questions about how long one should persevere and when it is finally time to throw in the towel. It forces readers to grapple with the complex and often disheartening realities of the legal world.

This book is on just about every 0L reading list that I know of, and I can clearly see the reason behind it.

Jonathan Harr is highly proficient in explaining the rules of civil procedure in a way that is easily understandable by the layperson. He managed to take an extremely intricate case and transform it into a courtroom drama that reads almost like a work of fiction.

Before delving into the reading, it is essential to understand that this story is presented with an evident bias, and I don't believe the author would dispute this. In the afterword, he admits that he spent significantly more time with Schlichtmann and his team compared to the defense attorneys. This is a narrative about the victims, told from the perspective of the plaintiffs. Schlichtmann, despite often being described as a madman, is the central protagonist. Skinner, Facher, and Cheeseman are predominantly depicted as the villainous antagonists. Having said that, this tilt does not diminish the entertainment value or the usefulness of comprehending the plaintiff's point of view. However, I firmly believe that no one should anticipate having a truly well-informed opinion about the Woburn case without making an effort to understand the other side. And unfortunately, you won't truly find that within the pages of this book.

With that caveat in mind, "A Civil Action" is an interesting, thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, and at times infuriating read. I would most definitely recommend it to 0L's or anyone with an interest in civil law or environmental issues.

Legal and environmental courtroom drama at its finest.

It's a David versus Goliath true story that you simply could not put down.

In the small town of Woburn, Massachusetts, several young children in a neighborhood directly south of two city wells are diagnosed and unfortunately die from leukemia. A cluster of leukemia and other illnesses occurs within a small radius. Coincidentally, two large corporations, Beatrice Foods Company and W.R. Grace, are located near the two city wells.

Attorney Jan Schlichtmann bravely takes on the case. He is bound and determined to win it on behalf of the local families. However, the expenses of conducting geographical testing, as well as hiring extra attorneys, investigators, and staff members, stretch their finances to the brink.

This story is highly recommend! It showcases the power of one person's determination against powerful corporations in the face of a serious environmental and legal issue. The drama and tension throughout the story keep you on the edge of your seat, making it a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, legal battles, or environmental issues.

Excellent book, which is gripping at times. I, being a lawyer myself, understand the risks involved in the profession. At the risk of spoiling the story, taking on a big case that seems appealing but has a long lead time before generating money is a significant risk. Similarly, handling a matter that is expected to be prominent and/or lucrative also comes with major risks. The cost for the case can be enormous. Workers, taxing authorities, and suppliers are not known for their patience. What happened to Schlichtmann was truly unnecessary.

There are two aspects that I wonder about: 1) Why did Schlichtmann allow his "lead counsel" to leave so easily?; and 2) Why didn't the environmental movement offer any help?

The "devil's advocate" question for me is whether the people of Woburn are better off with their legal victory and the polluting plants being closed. This question really makes me think.

This was truly a remarkable piece. You know, I have the fortune of residing in Woburn. Our family has called this place home since 2012, and my husband actually grew up here. So, it's impossible for me to approach a read like this with complete objectivity. But then again, is there really such a thing as a completely objective reader? Certainly not. We all carry our biases and personal experiences into our reading of a book. That's precisely what makes it so interesting.

I first became aware of this story during my college days when I watched the film. That was just a few months before I met my husband. If he had mentioned Woburn as his hometown at that time, I didn't make the connection. I only remembered that there was something about contaminated water in a place near Boston. Thankfully, neither he nor any of our family members lived in the areas affected by Wells G or H. It didn't taint my impression of his hometown, and for that, I'm very grateful. Woburn is truly a beautiful place, and it's a pity that its most well-known aspect is this dark chapter from its history. There were many places where we could have raised our family, but I'm glad we ended up here.

The first part of the book, which detailed the cluster of leukemia cases, was heart-wrenchingly tragic yet straightforward. It was the latter parts that really irked me. Even with the writer's obvious tendency to side with Schlichtmann and his legal team over their opponents, it's clear that they made a lot of mistakes. Watching them lose money so rapidly made me extremely anxious. What a chaotic situation. It didn't help that the judge let his own opinions influence all of his rulings. But even if he had been completely neutral, I can't envision this case going smoothly. The resolution didn't come from the civil case but from the EPA finally forcing the companies to pay for the cleanup.

As for the quality of the book, it's a bit on the long side and includes a lot of details that aren't always essential. Nevertheless, you can't fault the writer's commitment to seeing this story through to the end. I'm glad I read it, and I'm also glad to be done with it.

The movie was assigned for class.

I made a decision to read the book instead. Fortunately, I found it for just $1 at my cousin's shop.

Overall, it was an interesting read. From the perspective of a student in class, and when reading the textbook with actual motions included, it was quite fascinating to observe how crucial strategy is in the adversarial system we have for litigation. It was very much like a game of chess.

One has to try to learn sufficient relevant and brand new science in order to be able to explain it to the average citizen jury, yet without being able to truly clarify how it all impacts the average person.

In my opinion, justice was served when the EPA fined the companies and compelled them to clean up and repair, which was indeed what the families desired all along. It was truly interesting.

The choice book that I am reading is titled "A Civil Action" and it is authored by Jonathan Harr.

This captivating book delves into a mysterious case of a sickness that has been spreading and infecting the people of Woburn. The sickness was eventually identified as Leukemia, which is a form of Cancer. Understandably, the people are extremely concerned about this case.

Some individuals believe that the cause of the sickness is traced back to the water from the wells in Woburn. There are indications that the water could potentially be unsafe and unclean. The presence of strange smells in the water only exacerbates the situation.

Consequently, the people of Woburn have decided to take legal action and make a case out of this disturbing situation. They have sought the assistance of a very famous lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, to help them navigate through this complex problem and seek justice for the affected individuals.

This book was extremely well researched and masterfully written. However, as is often the case with nonfiction, I found myself unable to sympathize with any of the characters. By the final page, every single character had exhibited petulance or pettiness, including the ailing parents. Schlichtmann, as even the author concedes, is beyond the term quixotic. Frankly, I eagerly anticipated the end of the book simply to be done with it.

But, and this is a significant 'but', I found the civil procedure aspect of it truly fascinating. When Schlichtmann ultimately gets reprimanded under Rule 11, I couldn't help but let out a few short laughs at what had been a seven-year fiasco. Overall, it's an okay read. I would only recommend it to those with an interest in civil procedure (the class for which I read it). Otherwise, it serves merely as a cautionary tale about lawyers and the legal system.

It's important to note that while the book has its flaws in terms of character likability, the in-depth exploration of civil procedure makes it a valuable resource for those studying or interested in that area of the law.

A fast-paced non-fiction, that I had trouble putting down.

In the 1980's, two corporate giants were accused of poisoning the water supply of a Massachusetts town. The situation was dire, and the health of the town's residents was at stake. A small Boston firm, with a sense of justice and determination, took on the case. As they delved deeper into the investigation, the lives of everyone involved were forever changed.

Harr wrote this book as the case began taking shape, and his research is impeccable. He provides a detailed account of the events, the people, and the legal battles that ensued. The book reads like a well-crafted thriller, with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in true crime or legal dramas.

It is a powerful reminder of the importance of holding corporations accountable for their actions and the impact that one small firm can have in the face of overwhelming odds.

I was quite familiar with the case as I had seen some fragments of the movie related to it. However, the book offers an astonishing rendition that delves into the diverse facets of the case. Harr has done an excellent job of skillfully weaving together the various story lines, thus presenting a captivating narrative of the case.

I initially had concerns that the technical aspects of the case might be overly complex and difficult to read about. But to my pleasant surprise, the story is remarkably well-researched and written in a way that is accessible even to audiences with only a minimal science background. It manages to present the technical details in a clear and understandable manner, without overwhelming the reader.

This makes the book not only a great source of information about the case but also an engaging read for a wide range of audiences. Whether you are interested in the case itself or simply looking for a well-written and captivating story, this book is definitely worth checking out.

This is an older book that holds great significance as it was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction. It is an enormous endeavor in investigative reporting, and it is immensely interesting.

The story revolves around a town in Massachusetts where children began dying at an alarming rate from leukemia, and later, adults also succumbed to various cancers. Two of the nation's largest corporations, Beatrice and Grace, were accused of leaking chemicals (perhaps deliberately) that led to these deaths. This was a time before the EPA truly took on these business giants.

It is a courtroom showdown of incredible proportions, with a vast variety of attorneys who seemingly cared more about greed than justice. It provides an astounding look into our justice system. I was simply amazed by the inner legal workings of a civil case of this magnitude. The case dragged on for years, and the costs were astronomical. Lawyers lost their cars, and the firm was almost buried in debt and beyond salvage. The lead attorney even lost his condo. The case tested everyone's sanity.

In the end, Beatrice was excused from the case, and Grace paid only a fraction of what the attorneys demanded. However, shortly after, the EPA finally stepped in. This led to one of the largest environmental cleanups ever, with the agency obtaining many millions from Beatrice (especially) and Grace to clean up the mess. It turns out that the prosecutors were right, but they just hadn't been able to convince a jury. The legal intricacies of this case can truly test one's belief in a fair justice system. I was exhausted by the time I finished reading the book.

An absolutely riveting page turner - this is, without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve ever read. The story is truly captivating and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It presents a sobering conclusion that Justice is often the exception, not the rule. In this particular case, despite the clear evidence of obvious wrongdoing and the harm caused by the corporations, Justice was not served. The families of Woburn had to endure excruciating pain and suffering, yet they did not receive the justice they deserved.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the environment and public health. It sheds light on the importance of protecting our environment and the impact that corporate actions can have on the health and well-being of communities. It also provides a fascinating look into courtroom proceedings, showing the complexity and challenges involved in seeking justice through the legal system.

Overall, this book is a powerful and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a deeper understanding of the importance of Justice and the need to hold corporations accountable for their actions.