And the Walls Came Tumbling Down - by Michael S Lief & H Mitchell Caldwell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The second volume in a must-have trilogy of the best closing arguments in American legal history

Every day, Americans enjoy the freedom to decide what we do with our property, our bodies, our speech, and our votes. However, the rights to these freedoms have not always been guaranteed. Our civil rights have been assured by cases that have produced monumental shifts in America's cultural, political, and legal landscapes.

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down showcases eight of the most exciting closing arguments in civil law -- from the Amistad case, in which John Quincy Adams brought the injustice of slavery to the center stage of American politics, to the Susan B. Anthony decision, which paved the way to success for women's suffrage, to the Larry Flynt trial, in which the porn king became an unlikely champion for freedom of speech. By providing historical and biographical details, as well as the closing arguments themselves, Lief and Caldwell give readers the background necessary to fully understand these important cases, bringing them vividly to life.

Review Quotes

"For attorneys and those who love the law, And the Walls Came Tumbling Down is an excellent choice." -- Library Journal

"This book ought to be required reading in every law school.... All lawyers whose passion for justice called them to the legal profession will have that feeling rekindled by this worthy book." -- Association of Trial Lawyers of America

"This collection of eight civil rights cases. . . recognizes the historical importance of these battles and provides context to understand their relevance today." -- Chicago Tribune, Editor's Choice

"Unexpectedly engaging reading -- not only the arguments themselves (each an example of rhetorical mastery) but also the history provided to give each argument context."
-- The American Lawyer

About the Author

Michael S Lief is a senior deputy district attorney in Ventura, California. A former newspaper editor, he was a submarine driver for the U. S. Navy during the Cold War.

H. Mitchell Caldwell is a professor at Pepperdine University School of Law. A former deputy district attorney, he specializes in death-penalty litigation before the California Supreme Court.