Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




10 Books about the American Legal System


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Cover art for JUSTICE
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 22, 2009

"Sparkling commentary from the professor we all wish we had."
A Harvard law professor explores the meaning of justice and invites readers on a journey of moral and political reflection, "to figure out what they think, and why." Read full book review >
Cover art for BETRAYAL
NONFICTION
Released: Jan. 3, 2012

"An alarming, depressing tale of how law enforcement lost its way, how the insidious line between cop and criminal can be so easily obliterated."
A courageous FBI agent recounts his battle against a corrupt law-enforcement culture that protected one of the nation's most notorious criminals. Read full book review >
Cover art for ANATOMY OF INJUSTICE
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 22, 2012

"A powerfully intimate look at how the justice system works--or doesn't work--in capital cases."
A veteran journalist focuses on a grisly murder case to explore the legal issues that commonly arise in our ongoing national debate about capital punishment. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BAREFOOT BANDIT
NONFICTION
Released: April 1, 2012

"A remarkable crime saga that could have been 100 pages shorter."
Highly detailed account of a teenaged criminal who eluded law enforcement for two years. Read full book review >
Cover art for PRESUMED GUILTY
NONFICTION
Released: July 3, 2012

"The author's determination to complete a case that at times drove him to despair and brought him to the edge of bankruptcy is admirable, but the meticulous detail occasionally verges on excruciating."
A celebrated criminal lawyer's tell-all memoir about the tumultuous years he spent defending supposed Florida "baby killer" Casey Anthony. Read full book review >
Cover art for DESERT RECKONING
NONFICTION
Released: July 3, 2012

"A dynamic synthesis of Western saga, true-crime thriller and California-based transformation narrative."
Ambitious, vibrant true-crime narrative from the dangerous deserts of Southern California. Read full book review >
Cover art for LAW MAN
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 7, 2012

"Will appeal to fans of legal thrillers and stories of redemption."
With the assistance of Burke (co-author: The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur, 2008), Hopwood delivers an unusual tale of punishment and redemption. Read full book review >
Cover art for CAVEAT EMPTOR
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 15, 2012

"Readers will be captivated as they follow the development of this remarkable talent over a 40-year career."
Perenyi, who barely finished ninth grade, illustrates how he became America's top art forger. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIFE AFTER DEATH
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"Essential reading for anyone interested in justice or memoir."
Exceptional memoir by the most famous of the West Memphis Three. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE INJUSTICE SYSTEM
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 12, 2012

"A wrongful-conviction saga different from most others because there is no justice at the end."
Stinging account of a questionable 1986 death penalty case by the lawyer who tried to get it overturned. Read full book review >