Darrow's Nightmare: The Forgotten Story of America's Most Famous Trial Lawyer (Los Angeles 1911–1913)

Darrow's Nightmare: The Forgotten Story of America's Most Famous Trial Lawyer (Los Angeles 1911–1913)

  • Downloads:9093
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-04-29 20:31:22
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Nelson Johnson
  • ISBN:B08L9L36Z5
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From the author of the New York Times bestselling book and hit HBO series BOARDWALK EMPIRE comes the never-before-heard tale of Clarence Darrow, America’s most famous criminal trial lawyer, and the case that threatened to destroy his entire career。

“A fascinating portrait of Clarence Darrow as we've never seen him before—as a criminal defendant。 In Darrow's Nightmare, Nelson Johnson tells the riveting tale of America's most famous lawyer as he fights for his life, marriage, career, and reputation。 I couldn't put it down。” —Terence Winter, Creator & Executive Producer, Boardwalk Empire

Considered by many to be one of the best-known criminal defense lawyers in the country, Clarence Darrow became nationally recognized for his eloquence, withering cross-examinations, and compassionate support for the underdog, both in and out of the courtroom。 

Though his fifty-year-long career was replete with momentous cases, specifically his work in the Scopes Monkey Trial and the Leopold and Loeb Murder Trial, Darrow’s Nightmare zeroes in on just two years of Darrow’s career: 1911 to 1913。 It was during this time period that Darrow was hired to represent the McNamara brothers, two union workers accused of bombing the Los Angeles Times building, an incident that resulted in twenty-one deaths and hundreds more injuries。

Along with investigative journalist Lincoln Steffens, Darrow negotiated an ambitious plea bargain on behalf of the McNamara brothers。 But the plan soon unraveled; before the plea bargain came to a head, Darrow was accused of attempting to bribe a juror。 As Darrow himself became the defendant, what was once his shining moment in the national spotlight became a threat to the future of his career and the safety of his family。

Forgotten by history books, New York Times best-selling author Nelson Johnson brings two of the most tumultuous years of Darrow’s life back to the forefront of conversation。 Drawing upon the 8,500-page transcript saved from the two trials, Johnson makes Darrow’s story come to life like never before。

Darrow’s Nightmare is a true story unlike any other—a historical courtroom thriller brought to life。

 

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Reviews

Michelle

The author brings to life the complicated nature of famed attorney Clarence Darrow—who was a prominent advocate for the labor movement in the early twentieth century — and his extremely supportive and forgiving wife, Ruby, who dressed and fed him and tolerated his infidelities。The book highlights the aggressive nature of that era’s battles between industrialists and labor, specifically going into the events of the October 1, 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building, whose owner was strongl The author brings to life the complicated nature of famed attorney Clarence Darrow—who was a prominent advocate for the labor movement in the early twentieth century — and his extremely supportive and forgiving wife, Ruby, who dressed and fed him and tolerated his infidelities。The book highlights the aggressive nature of that era’s battles between industrialists and labor, specifically going into the events of the October 1, 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building, whose owner was strongly anti-union。The details of the legal proceedings are immersive and riveting。 Plenty of interesting characters here , as well as ntriguing details of how court proceedings were conducted and the way evidence was presented at that time。My only reservation was the author’s paucity of details in laying out the specific charges against Darrow at the first mention in the book of when the defense investigator was caught trying to bribe a juror。 I thought more detail was needed at that point in the narrative。 While the details are laid out once the trial proceedings are gone into , that is several chapters later。 I found I needed to do a little extra research when there was scant detail earlier in the story to piece together the specific charges against Darrow。 Maybe this is too fine a quibble, but it did bother me until the specifics of Darrow’s trial are detailed later in the book。Overall, a well told story, certainly relevant for our times。I listened to this on audio and Graham Winton was an engaging narrator。Mm 。。。more