Library Journal Review reviews Closing Arguments

Grant A. Fredericksen, Illinois Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora

With these previously uncollected essays and speechs ( sic ) by Darrow, editor Joshi ( H. L. Mencken on American Literature ) shows us that 'America's greatest defense attorney' was a thinker in many realms. Although Darrow put his stamp on history with his defense of Leopold and Loeb and then of Darwinian evolution in the Scopes trial, Joshi maintains that he longed for literary success akin to that of his former law partner Edgar Lee Masters ( Spoon River Anthology ). The introduction summarizes Darrow's life, views, and literary style, pointing out the early flowery style based on public speaking and the plainer style that followed. Darrow's pieces are divided into four thematic groupings--'On Philosophy and Religion,' 'On Law and Crime,' 'On Politics and Society,' and 'On Clarence Darrow'--with dates ranging from an 1893 piece in favor of women's suffrage to a 1936 piece that asks 'Does Man Live Again?' The selection stresses the important contributions Darrow made to the social and legal thought of his era. Often countering the status quo, his opinions still resonate for us today. On the death penalty, for example, his opposition was based on the belief that society is responsible if a person is driven to commit heinous acts and should not seek vengeance on the perpetrator, that such violence only begets more violence. Freedom, Joshi notes, is the predominant theme of Darrow's social views. For academic libraries or public libraries with collections in this area. (Bibliographical references and index not seen.)

Library Journal.
Vol. 130, No. 14
September 1, 2005.