Carla

Everything Erik Larson writes is a treat. This is non-fiction that is so compelling it reads like a thriller!

A beautiful story and the adage “a dog is a man's best friend” seems appropriate when considering Judy and Frank's relationship. I also found the detail about the POW experience in Sumatra gripping and not something I recall reading much about during my school history lessons.

What I initially thought would be a book about a young girl and her affair with a much older man (which admittedly made me hesitant to read) turned into a book about a woman realizing that her affair was, in fact, abuse. She gradually comes to terms with the ramifications of it. It was at times uncomfortable to read, but I think is ultimately a very thought-provoking book, particularly in the age of the Me Too movement.

I often regret not moving forward with plans to attend law school, and darn if this book doesn't bring that up again. The author's name wasn't unfamiliar before reading this book; his firing from his post as a U.S. Attorney was well covered. Overall, I found the book incredibly interesting and easy to read.

It's apparent he has a great legal mind, and the book reads like a journey through his tenure as a top prosecutor in one of the busiest district courts in the U.S. We expect prosecutors will be dogged in their pursuit of justice. Still, the author highlights the need for humanity, particularly for those whom he prosecuted. One line, in particular, stood out for me, “You may realize he is more than the crimes he has committed, just as every person is more than the worst thing he has ever done.” He cautions those working within the justice system not to allow inattention to take over. No, you cannot fall apart at every crime scene or when dealing with victims of crimes, but don't allow yourself to become too indifferent.

A few stories in the book gave me a laugh. The author summed up his experience in a courtroom with mobsters as “Harvard didn't prepare me for this,” and he frequently had to remind himself he was, in fact, not in a Martin Scorcese film. I was also surprised to learn how trial judges are chosen for criminal cases. A magistrate judge turns a wheel in which there are cards with the names of trial judges. One is picked at random, and that judge is assigned to preside over the case. Umm, what? Can't a computer do that? Still, the ritual sounds interesting.

In short, this book reads as part memoir and part advice (with some caution thrown in for good measure). I enjoyed it.

This was, at times, a difficult book to read. As a native southerner, I'm keenly aware of the south's dark history related to civil rights. The book does read like a textbook, though I found the content flowed smoothly. It highlights, in great detail, the reckoning that occurred during the summer of 1964 in Mississippi. The fearlessness with which many of the volunteers operated during Freedom summer is impressive and remarkable given some of their young ages. Overall, I found this book riveting, and despite the challenging subject matter, its content, and the history it tells is super important.