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menalippe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I bought this book a long time ago after watching the TV drama 'American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson'. After seeing the news of the defendant's death, I was scrolling through my Kindle and the book jumped out at me, so I figured I should reread it.
Marcia Clark provides a wonderfully clear narrative of the prosecution's preparation and execution of the Simpson case, walking the reader through events and explaining the lawyers' thought processes, the facets of the case and the effect of the tidal wave of media interest in such a way as to convey the heinous crime and the unbearable pressures, but without bogging everything down with a 'woe is me' or sore loser attitude. While it is clearly not an objective and unbiased account, for the most part it reads as you would hope; a lawyer standing up for the rights of victims and keeping the aim of a fair trial in mind. That being said, she definitely had an uphill battle and is not afraid to speak out about her dislike for the judge, various members of the defence team and the defendant himself.
Looking at the bigger picture for a moment, the media acts like the spread of misinformation and 'fake news' is a recent phenomenon, but you only have to read Clark's comments about the jury pool to see that, while the medium may have changed from TV and magazines to the internet, the problem is definitely not new. I believe passionately in the right to a fair trial and innocent until proven guilty, but I honestly have no idea how it's even remotely possible to honour either of those maxims in a case like this. From the descriptions given by Clark, I would say that they gave it their best shot but the ingrained prejudices of all involved (not just regarding race, but all sorts of other things too), exacerbated by talking heads, sound bites and the desperation for exclusive headlines and/or a payday, were too big an obstacle to overcome.
Similarly, it also shows that we probably haven't come as far as we think with regard to the treatment of women in 'high powered' jobs. The coverage of Marcia wasn't so much about how she was an amazing lawyer and doing one hell of a job, but more about what she looked like, her personal life and her impending divorce. How she did not completely crumble under the pressure I will never understand, but I can only admire the fact that she kept on going in the face of it all. The moments where she does start feeling the effects are particularly emotive, and it's so frustrating to think that, again, the same things are still being said about female politicians, lawyers and other professional women 30 years later.
I'm not quite old enough to remember the case (plus I don't know how much coverage it was afforded in the UK), but this book does a great job at bringing it starkly to life. It manages to give an overview of the whole proceeding and enough detail to allow you to immerse yourself in the events without the need to hear the months of testimony. Yes, I was picturing Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Paulson, John Travolta etc in their respective roles from the TV series rather than the actual people, but the point is that it was very easy to see the story unfolding in my mind.
Of course, this is one of many books written by people involved in the trial. As much as I understand why they want to get their own versions of the story out there, a small part of me does find it all a bit hypocritical; there are several passages in the book where Clark comments about witnesses, jurors and others selling their stories with some disdain, and yet the only difference I can see is that she chose to do so after the trial, rather than during it (I don't blame her for being annoyed with those who sold their stories rather than tell them in court though). There is still some element of 'cashing in' on the notoriety of the case - indeed, her comments at the end are essentially justifying her reasons for doing so - which leaves a little bit of a bitter taste. Ultimately, the story should be about the victims and not the man in the dock or the lawyers.
A very interesting read.
Marcia Clark provides a wonderfully clear narrative of the prosecution's preparation and execution of the Simpson case, walking the reader through events and explaining the lawyers' thought processes, the facets of the case and the effect of the tidal wave of media interest in such a way as to convey the heinous crime and the unbearable pressures, but without bogging everything down with a 'woe is me' or sore loser attitude. While it is clearly not an objective and unbiased account, for the most part it reads as you would hope; a lawyer standing up for the rights of victims and keeping the aim of a fair trial in mind. That being said, she definitely had an uphill battle and is not afraid to speak out about her dislike for the judge, various members of the defence team and the defendant himself.
Looking at the bigger picture for a moment, the media acts like the spread of misinformation and 'fake news' is a recent phenomenon, but you only have to read Clark's comments about the jury pool to see that, while the medium may have changed from TV and magazines to the internet, the problem is definitely not new. I believe passionately in the right to a fair trial and innocent until proven guilty, but I honestly have no idea how it's even remotely possible to honour either of those maxims in a case like this. From the descriptions given by Clark, I would say that they gave it their best shot but the ingrained prejudices of all involved (not just regarding race, but all sorts of other things too), exacerbated by talking heads, sound bites and the desperation for exclusive headlines and/or a payday, were too big an obstacle to overcome.
Similarly, it also shows that we probably haven't come as far as we think with regard to the treatment of women in 'high powered' jobs. The coverage of Marcia wasn't so much about how she was an amazing lawyer and doing one hell of a job, but more about what she looked like, her personal life and her impending divorce. How she did not completely crumble under the pressure I will never understand, but I can only admire the fact that she kept on going in the face of it all. The moments where she does start feeling the effects are particularly emotive, and it's so frustrating to think that, again, the same things are still being said about female politicians, lawyers and other professional women 30 years later.
I'm not quite old enough to remember the case (plus I don't know how much coverage it was afforded in the UK), but this book does a great job at bringing it starkly to life. It manages to give an overview of the whole proceeding and enough detail to allow you to immerse yourself in the events without the need to hear the months of testimony. Yes, I was picturing Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Paulson, John Travolta etc in their respective roles from the TV series rather than the actual people, but the point is that it was very easy to see the story unfolding in my mind.
Of course, this is one of many books written by people involved in the trial. As much as I understand why they want to get their own versions of the story out there, a small part of me does find it all a bit hypocritical; there are several passages in the book where Clark comments about witnesses, jurors and others selling their stories with some disdain, and yet the only difference I can see is that she chose to do so after the trial, rather than during it (I don't blame her for being annoyed with those who sold their stories rather than tell them in court though). There is still some element of 'cashing in' on the notoriety of the case - indeed, her comments at the end are essentially justifying her reasons for doing so - which leaves a little bit of a bitter taste. Ultimately, the story should be about the victims and not the man in the dock or the lawyers.
A very interesting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, Classism, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion, Drug use, and Antisemitism
lufferdinks's review against another edition
5.0
I want to be Marcia Clark when I grow up. That is all.
yoursweetdivine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.75
marcia i'm sorry for everything you went through but the carceral feminism and zionism were brutal to read.. i can feel that as well as being upset and angry and sad about ron and nicole simultaneously. people are complex
ekb523's review against another edition
4.0
My time ran up on the book from the library and someone else had requested it so I couldn't renew. But overall FASCINATING!! I cannot believe all of the things that happened during the OJ trail - it legitimately sounds like the plot for a soap opera.
omgbiscoffspread's review against another edition
2.0
I read this because I was listening to the "You're Wrong About" podcast deep dive episodes about the OJ Simpson trial and Marcia dounded like the exact kind of 90s powerhouse maligned woman I love. I feel so complexly about her. I definitely came out of this with even more of a bizarre crush on her, but also deeply uncomfortable with the ease with which she refers to humans who make bad choices as "slimy cow dung" and "disgusting animals." She feels very deeply that this is the way to get the desired outcome in the criminal justice system, and I'm sure she's right, I just really have a lot of problems with the outcomes of that system to begin with. I did love how she never once spared Lance Ito, no mercy, total disdain and in my opinion well deserved.
thekitschwitch's review against another edition
5.0
this is the most compelling account of the o.j. simpson case. and more than that, it is one of the best books by one of the best women i have ever read. marcia clark, you are my hero. end of.
miniworrall23's review against another edition
5.0
Without A Doubt takes us through the years in which Marcia Clarke went from a hot-headed female prosecutor to a celebrity, merely by being assigned to the O.J. Simpson murder case, often described as ‘the case of the century’.
As a total true crime obsessive, who has watched almost every series and documentary I can find on this particular case, it was inevitable that I would love this book. We all know the Marcia Clarke that has been portrayed in the media or by actresses through the years but to hear the events from the source was a real eye opener. Here was a woman who was really excelling at what she did, having to work harder and longer than her male counterparts, and who was thrown into the limelight at a turbulent time in her life, being scrutinised for everything but her skills as a prosecutor.
The most interesting theme to the book for me was seeing how everything that happened had an impact on Marcia. From the way the defence were acting, to the evidence, to the actions of Judge Ito, to her personal life, and, of course, the media and their constant criticisms and invasions of her privacy. Marcia describes the intricacies of the courtroom and the fallout for the DA’s office in a way that almost takes you along for the ride! You feel the highs and lows and, sometimes, the sheer amazement and disbelief of these well-known events of the case. I genuinely think I experienced so many emotions, smiling at those little light moments, pride at her determination, frustration at the setbacks, and ultimately disappointment at the verdict. Marcia is brutally honest about everything which I thought was fantastic! Regardless of how you feel about the characters involved or the verdict, if you have an enjoyment of true crime, then this look behind the scenes is a gripping read.
Yes, it can be a bit of a slog to read. Legal jargon, stories of Marcia’s past which can feel like an unnecessary detour to the narrative, and slow-moving developments mean you do have to force you way through certain chapters. I suppose it depends on your level of interest – for me there were a few tough moments to fight through that were a bit dull but in the end it all felt useful to understanding Marcia at that time and why things happened the way they did. This is a case that has particularly dramatized over the years which could quite easily make the reality seem dull in comparison, but that’s the risk I took when I picked up the book and I’m really glad I did.
I would definitely recommend Without A Doubt to anyone who is a true crime fan and who wants to see an incredibly famous case from a different point of view.
Overall a solid 4 stars!
https://www.beautyandthebooks.co.uk/
As a total true crime obsessive, who has watched almost every series and documentary I can find on this particular case, it was inevitable that I would love this book. We all know the Marcia Clarke that has been portrayed in the media or by actresses through the years but to hear the events from the source was a real eye opener. Here was a woman who was really excelling at what she did, having to work harder and longer than her male counterparts, and who was thrown into the limelight at a turbulent time in her life, being scrutinised for everything but her skills as a prosecutor.
The most interesting theme to the book for me was seeing how everything that happened had an impact on Marcia. From the way the defence were acting, to the evidence, to the actions of Judge Ito, to her personal life, and, of course, the media and their constant criticisms and invasions of her privacy. Marcia describes the intricacies of the courtroom and the fallout for the DA’s office in a way that almost takes you along for the ride! You feel the highs and lows and, sometimes, the sheer amazement and disbelief of these well-known events of the case. I genuinely think I experienced so many emotions, smiling at those little light moments, pride at her determination, frustration at the setbacks, and ultimately disappointment at the verdict. Marcia is brutally honest about everything which I thought was fantastic! Regardless of how you feel about the characters involved or the verdict, if you have an enjoyment of true crime, then this look behind the scenes is a gripping read.
Yes, it can be a bit of a slog to read. Legal jargon, stories of Marcia’s past which can feel like an unnecessary detour to the narrative, and slow-moving developments mean you do have to force you way through certain chapters. I suppose it depends on your level of interest – for me there were a few tough moments to fight through that were a bit dull but in the end it all felt useful to understanding Marcia at that time and why things happened the way they did. This is a case that has particularly dramatized over the years which could quite easily make the reality seem dull in comparison, but that’s the risk I took when I picked up the book and I’m really glad I did.
I would definitely recommend Without A Doubt to anyone who is a true crime fan and who wants to see an incredibly famous case from a different point of view.
Overall a solid 4 stars!
https://www.beautyandthebooks.co.uk/
lemeilleurs's review against another edition
5.0
I was two days old when Nicole Simpson Brown and Ron Goldman died. Needless to say, I don't remember anything about the O.J. Simpson trial. However, I've grown up hearing and seeing about it in the media and pop culture my entire life. Like many, I was enthralled by the TV series by Ryan Murphy, which is why I picked up this book. Was O.J. guilty? I guess we will never actually know. While this book may be biased, Marcia Clark clearly explains why she feels the case ended in acquittal, despite incriminating evidence. It boils down to these things: mishandled evidence collection by police and criminalist pre-trial, what Clark refers to as a "hostile jury", a judge who had no control over the court proceedings, and the state of race relations and celebrity bias in America at the time. Not only does Clark sift through the trial bit by bit, but she opens up about her personal life before and during the trial. By the end, I was in tears, realizing how much of herself she sacrificed for the case and how poorly the judge, her peers, and the media treated her and the case as a whole. Clark paved the way for many behind her despite the verdict, and there is no wonder she is studied and revered throughout the past 25 years.
mrose21's review
3.0
Final thoughts
Removing my usual review things as this is non fiction.
I found this more difficult to read than most. Its very in depth about O.J. Simpson. It hasn't changed my opinion if he did it or not - I had none before but now I defiantly don't.
Would I read again?: Probably not
Would I read this author again?: Probably not.
Removing my usual review things as this is non fiction.
I found this more difficult to read than most. Its very in depth about O.J. Simpson. It hasn't changed my opinion if he did it or not - I had none before but now I defiantly don't.
Would I read again?: Probably not
Would I read this author again?: Probably not.