Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer
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Review
`A fascinating insight into the mind of a man who has devoted his life to securing the liberty of others ... These memoirs benefit from a career spent at the heart of some of the most controversial criminal cases of the past four decades' --New Statesman
`Brilliant...a sophisticated criminal practitioner who has delivered some of the most powerful pieces of advocacy witnessed in this country's courtrooms' --Chambers Legal Directory 2009
`Michael Mansfield, QC, believes in the rule of law; that everyone is entitled to a defence of himself in these memoirs, but he also presents himself as passionate and political in pursuit of well-defined ideals' --The Times
`This is essentially a fascinating and passionate record of the author's major cases in courts, inquests and public inquiries, whose context will be as familiar to the general reader as to the lawyer, and which concerned or raised issues beyond the narrowly legal.' --Michael Beloff, Spectator
`Such is Mansfield's skill as an advocate that even in his chapter of his book he persuaded me that, as a matter of fact, there is something extremely fishy about the death of Princess Diana in the Paris underpass ... I hugely admire him ... This book is not just a show-off catalogue of his greatest hits. It is a shaming, chilling list of injustices. It is a reminder of how very difficult it is, once an injustice has been committed, to alter the public minds and to alter the minds of the Appeal Court Judges...He was right about the Birmingham Six, right about Stephen Lawrence, right about the Bloody Sunday, could it be - could it really be - that he is right about the death of Princess Diana? Was she really murdered?' --A.N Wilson, Daily Mail
'Mansfield's handling of witnesses shows a deftness and lightness of touch, combined with an unrelenting grasp of the underlying details .. tightly written, and ... manages to distil his cases down to their central issues with a minimum of jargon, making it an enjoyable read.' --Thom Dyke, New Statesman
`Brilliant...a sophisticated criminal practitioner who has delivered some of the most powerful pieces of advocacy witnessed in this country's courtrooms' --Chambers Legal Directory 2009
`Michael Mansfield, QC, believes in the rule of law; that everyone is entitled to a defence of himself in these memoirs, but he also presents himself as passionate and political in pursuit of well-defined ideals' --The Times
`This is essentially a fascinating and passionate record of the author's major cases in courts, inquests and public inquiries, whose context will be as familiar to the general reader as to the lawyer, and which concerned or raised issues beyond the narrowly legal.' --Michael Beloff, Spectator
`Such is Mansfield's skill as an advocate that even in his chapter of his book he persuaded me that, as a matter of fact, there is something extremely fishy about the death of Princess Diana in the Paris underpass ... I hugely admire him ... This book is not just a show-off catalogue of his greatest hits. It is a shaming, chilling list of injustices. It is a reminder of how very difficult it is, once an injustice has been committed, to alter the public minds and to alter the minds of the Appeal Court Judges...He was right about the Birmingham Six, right about Stephen Lawrence, right about the Bloody Sunday, could it be - could it really be - that he is right about the death of Princess Diana? Was she really murdered?' --A.N Wilson, Daily Mail
'Mansfield's handling of witnesses shows a deftness and lightness of touch, combined with an unrelenting grasp of the underlying details .. tightly written, and ... manages to distil his cases down to their central issues with a minimum of jargon, making it an enjoyable read.' --Thom Dyke, New Statesman
Review
'Probably the biggest household name at the criminal Bar is Michael Mansfield, QC, a sure-fire role model for students wondering about a career in criminal (or civil rights) law.' The Times Online 'The radical lawyer has become an icon in a disenchanted age (Mansfield's) high profile victories take on a hallowed significance: the good guys against the rotten state with a flourish of his insolence and a refusal to shut up they flock to him, the disaffected, the inner city victims, Arthur Scargill, and he looks after them all. The Establishment loathes him.' Lesley White, Sunday Times, 'Michael Mansfield QC is a die-hard grand old rebel. He has rejected the Labour Party, dismisses Blair as a Tory, and thereby disqualifies himself from the headlong rush of so many of his senior legal contemporaries to sup in the Labour Government trough of power.' Guardian 'There is no question that he has been a force for good in this country, and has kept the flag of civil liberties flying when governments would have been very happy to have seen it suppressed. He can't retire - his country needs him. Carpentry must wait.' Lynn Barber, Observer
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Michael Mansfield's passion and enthusiasm for his job blazes throughout this well written review of the cases in which he has been involved over 40 years as a barrister. A staunch supporter of civil liberties, the author has almost always defended rather than taking on the prosecution role. The book covers such well known cases as the Birmingham 6, the Guildford 4, the murder of Jill Dando, the Marchioness diaster and the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayad. It provides fascinating insights into all these cases and certainly changed my view of some of them.
I do not always agree with Michael Mansfield's politics but I could never doubt the sincerity of his beliefs and the vigour with which he has fought his cases. The consequences for him have not always been pleasant. He received many threats during his career and his car was once blown up when parked in London, though that particular bomb was not targetted at him personally. He shows just how dangerous it can be to defend some people if society as a whole is against them. He provides carefully written arguments in favour of retaining jury trial for as many offences as possible and against relying blindly on DNA evidence as though it is infallible.
For anyone interested in the workings of the justice system this will be a must read. The style is approachable, almost conversational in tone, and difficult and complex issues are explained simply. The book will also be of interest to anyone who has followed these many famous cases through the media - here is a chance to see them from the inside. A thoroughly interesting and worthwhile read in my opinion and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in our life and times.
I do not always agree with Michael Mansfield's politics but I could never doubt the sincerity of his beliefs and the vigour with which he has fought his cases. The consequences for him have not always been pleasant. He received many threats during his career and his car was once blown up when parked in London, though that particular bomb was not targetted at him personally. He shows just how dangerous it can be to defend some people if society as a whole is against them. He provides carefully written arguments in favour of retaining jury trial for as many offences as possible and against relying blindly on DNA evidence as though it is infallible.
For anyone interested in the workings of the justice system this will be a must read. The style is approachable, almost conversational in tone, and difficult and complex issues are explained simply. The book will also be of interest to anyone who has followed these many famous cases through the media - here is a chance to see them from the inside. A thoroughly interesting and worthwhile read in my opinion and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in our life and times.
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An an aspiring barrister, I found this book enlightening and enthralling. Charting Mansfield's rise from conventional middle-class roots to the top of the legal profession and detailing that charted his rise, this is an exhilarating and disarmingly honest book.
Mansfield's prose is straightforward but eloquent and he communicates his story in a direct, yet highly articulate manner (much as one would doubtless find his courtroom deliveries).
I would thoroughly recommend this account of one who made a career of championing the rights of those demonised by many members of the press and the establishment to anyone, whether they have an interest in law or not. Those who read this memoir will find it honest, charming and eye-opening.
Mansfield's prose is straightforward but eloquent and he communicates his story in a direct, yet highly articulate manner (much as one would doubtless find his courtroom deliveries).
I would thoroughly recommend this account of one who made a career of championing the rights of those demonised by many members of the press and the establishment to anyone, whether they have an interest in law or not. Those who read this memoir will find it honest, charming and eye-opening.
52 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I studied law for a year before changing course at Uni a few years back (it wasn't quite for me) but never lost my respect for those who practice it. And arguably at the top of the list of high profile figures in the law is Michael Mansfield.
Lawyers, however, ever fluent in "legalese", aren't traditionally known for talking straight, so I feared that Mr Mansfield might be a little plodding. But you'll be pleased to know that this book is far from plodding. There are highlights here from pretty much every major case and inquest of the past 40 years here, each of which is narrated in very a pacey and intriguing way.
From his experiences in high-profile cases he brings to life the drama of the court-room and the tension of a public enquiry where a melting pot of huge emotions and questions of law are brimming over on every side. The moment when he makes a Para-trooper, Soldier F, finally admit that yes, he did shoot an unarmed man on Bloody Sunday, makes for harrowing, hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck stuff. And there's lots more like it. The Jean Charles de Menezes chapter in particular is hugely fascinating and very moving.
I've read a couple of reviews of the book in the past week and what's funny is that even those who disagree vehemently with his politics recognise that he's an inspirational figure who's done more than any other person to help shape and improve the British legal system.
Anyone interested in the law, current affairs, international relations, government and policing should read it. You can't fail to be inspired, occasionally depressed, enlightened and entertained.
Lawyers, however, ever fluent in "legalese", aren't traditionally known for talking straight, so I feared that Mr Mansfield might be a little plodding. But you'll be pleased to know that this book is far from plodding. There are highlights here from pretty much every major case and inquest of the past 40 years here, each of which is narrated in very a pacey and intriguing way.
From his experiences in high-profile cases he brings to life the drama of the court-room and the tension of a public enquiry where a melting pot of huge emotions and questions of law are brimming over on every side. The moment when he makes a Para-trooper, Soldier F, finally admit that yes, he did shoot an unarmed man on Bloody Sunday, makes for harrowing, hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck stuff. And there's lots more like it. The Jean Charles de Menezes chapter in particular is hugely fascinating and very moving.
I've read a couple of reviews of the book in the past week and what's funny is that even those who disagree vehemently with his politics recognise that he's an inspirational figure who's done more than any other person to help shape and improve the British legal system.
Anyone interested in the law, current affairs, international relations, government and policing should read it. You can't fail to be inspired, occasionally depressed, enlightened and entertained.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Beyond the narrowly legal....
[[VIDEOID:mo3LN2FRU0DWRGO]]
RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONTROVERSIAL CAREER
An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers... Read more
RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONTROVERSIAL CAREER
An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Phillip Taylor
Excellent book for anyone interesting in the English legal system.
This book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in criminal law. Mansfield is a true master or the legal profession and this book highlights many of his interesting and... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Modernmatt
V. good.
Michael's book is fantastic - I started reading it the first day it was published and was totally amazed by it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. H. Wolstenholme
sound counsel
Michael Mansfield was born in Whetstone, North London in 1941, the youngest of three brothers who called themselves "The Three Musketeers". Read more
Published 17 months ago by Hande Z
Solicitors and ladies of the night
The title to me suggests that they are in the same profession to make as much money as possible with their talents and if someone gets pleasure out of it then that's a bonus. Read more
Published 17 months ago by R. WALKER
Michael Mansfield
I have only started my read which is very promising and I look forward to the rest of it. It starts badly but quickly recovers from an unpromising start about his varicose... Read more
Published 19 months ago by T. Appleton
Absolutely Brilliant Read
This book is inspirational. Had it been available years ago I am sure it would have been a catalyst for me to become a Barrister. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mark Dawes
Tosh.
If I could give this no stars I would, if only for its sheer one-eyed disingenuousness.
From his smarmy photograph on the cover to the clunky prose and barely coherent... Read more
From his smarmy photograph on the cover to the clunky prose and barely coherent... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2010 by M. P. Lewis
M Mansfield
Provides the reader with an insight into the thinking of and his approach to cases of one of the best criminal lawyers in this country. Overall an excellent read.
Published on 31 Dec 2009 by K. J. Buxton
radical lawyer
Everyone should read this. Inspirational. Whilst not agreeing with everything Mansfield says, it opens ones eyes to so much that needed to be said.
Published on 22 Dec 2009 by dp
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