A Civil Action

Theres more to a case than just the trial. There are dispositions and fact finding and motions and counter-motions and appeals and financial considerations and constant frustrations. There are things to learn about water, soil, geology, medicine. Facts are not always clear or written in stone. There are experts who disagree. Bills to pay. Worthy combatants. And a judge whose word is God and whose judgment is questionable.

The writer, Johnathan Harr, was with this case from the beginning. He sat in on the meetings with the families whose children had died. He was present at all the dispositions and motions. He researched all technical aspects. And, later, interviewed everyone including the jurors, office staff, opposing attorneys, as well as wives and lovers. He traveled with the lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann and his partners to their negotiation meetings, spent much time in their offices, shared meals and hours of discussion and then more discussion.

He got it all. The personalities. The issues. The facts. And he wrote a book that really makes a difference in the world. Like it or not, the issue of environmental pollution is here to stay. We need to understand it. And his skill at writing made it more fascinating than any novel. Highest accolades to the writer. I give this book my highest recommendation.

I dont care one way or another about the enviroment and all those Greenpeace annoying little idiots. I do care about humanity and Harr shows it here. This is a must read.