Clarence Darrow Knihy

Focusing on the nature of crime and the failures of the US criminal justice system, Darrow's work combines eloquence and humor to critique societal issues. He examines the causes of crime, the disparity in incarceration rates, and the ineffectiveness of punishment, ultimately labeling the justice system as unjust. This edition enriches the original text with a contemporary essay by Leon M Despres, which provides historical context and insights from inmates reflecting on Darrow’s ideas. Additionally, it includes excerpts from Darrow's other writings and an Afterword discussing capital punishment.

Clarence Darrow's legacy as a passionate advocate for civil liberties and controversial ideas is vividly captured in this collection. It features a diverse array of his writings, including opening statements, trial arguments, and lectures, complemented by excerpts from his memoir. Expert commentary by historian Edward J. Larson and ethicist Jack Marshall enhances the text, highlighting the enduring relevance of Darrow's thoughts. This volume illustrates the powerful influence of his ideals, which continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about civic life.

A famous defender of the underdog, the oppressed, and the powerless, Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) is one of the true legends of the American legal system. This book collects Darrow's most influential summations and supplements them with scene-setting explanations and comprehensive notes.

In The Story of My Life recounts, and reflects on, his more than fifty years as a corporate, labor, and criminal lawyer, including the most celebrated and notorious cases of his day: establishing the legal right of a union to strike in the Woodworkers' Conspiracy Case; exposing, on behalf of the United Mine Workers, the shocking conditions in the mines and the widespread use of child labor; defending Leopold and Loeb in the Chicago "thrill" murder case; defending a teacher's right to present the Darwinian theory of evolution in the famous Scopes trial; fighting racial hatred in the Sweet anti-Negro and the Scottsboro cases; and much more. Written in his disarming, conversational style, and full of refreshingly relevant views on capital punishment, civil liberties, and the judicial system, Darrow's autobiography is a fitting final summation of a remarkable life.