• The Devil's Defender

  • My Odyssey Through American Criminal Justice from Ted Bundy to the Kandahar Massacre
  • By: John Henry Browne
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (281 ratings)

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The Devil's Defender

By: John Henry Browne
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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Publisher's summary

In the tradition of best-selling legal memoirs from Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Bailey, Gerry Spence, and Alan Dershowitz, John Henry Browne's The Devil's Defender recounts his tortuous education in what it means to be an advocate - and a human being.

For the last four decades, Browne has defended the indefensible. From Facebook folk hero the "Barefoot Bandit" Colton Moore, to Benjamin Ng of the Wah Mee massacre and Kandahar massacre culprit Sergeant Robert Bales, Browne's unceasing advocacy and the daring to take on some of the most unwinnable cases - and nearly win them all - has led 48 Hours' Peter Van Sant to call him "the most famous lawyer in America." But although the Browne that America has come to know cuts a dashing and confident figure, he has forever been haunted by his job as counsel to Ted Bundy, the most infamous serial killer in American history.

Browne, a drug- and alcohol-addicted yet wildly successful defense attorney who could never let go of the case that started it all, here asks himself the question others have asked him all along: Does defending evil make you evil too?

©2016 John Henry Browne (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Devil's Defender

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Not what it promises

If you're looking for a true crime thriller written by the defense attorney, read the one about John Wayne gacy.

This book barley has anything about bundy and what little it does is real outside peripheral. It's mostly about his life as a lawyer but he makes even drugs and rock n roll feel dull. I didn't finish it, I returned the book

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8 people found this helpful

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nothing like I expected

Would you try another book from John Henry Browne and/or Joe Barrett?

no. he talked as if his book would be all about Bundy, but he did not tell us anything that was already known. I we very disappointed

Would you ever listen to anything by John Henry Browne again?

no

What didn’t you like about Joe Barrett’s performance?

boring

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Devil's Defender?

everything

Any additional comments?

no

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7 people found this helpful

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If I could give 0 stars, I would

I couldn't finish. He starts saying Ted Bundy told him he chose him as an attorney because they were so much alike, insists then that it's untrue, then proceeds with a narcissistic narrative, bragging about attempting to cope the VP with LSD, stealing secret documents and name dropping gun such a manner one could only imagine Bundy would have, had he had the same opportunity. This guy's wealth and connections allowed him to lead a charmed life, but Bundy was right in recognizing himself in his attorney. I don't believe a more self absorbed person exists.

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4 people found this helpful

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Interesting subject matter.

Joe Barrett was the perfect narrator for this book. He made it sound like he was the person who experienced the thoughts and emotions of the writer. And the author, John Henry Browne, sure can make dull court cases into an enthralling story. I felt personally involved with Ted Bundy in particular. Totally enjoyed it.

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3 people found this helpful

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disappointed not worth the money

I went from admiring him to not really liking him. The narrator was wonderful.

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It was alright, not too exciting, but overall...

It was alright, not too exciting, but overall an interesting listen. Not many cases or details.

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interesting

Why are they *ALL* connected to one another? Even Ted's attorney is weaved in this massive spider web. Unbelievable.

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The most annoying narrator ever!

The author of this book has done TV interviews in the last couple of years, so I know what his voice sounds like. It isn't the winey guy from hell's voice, who is the narrator, that is for sure. Please get this rerecorded ASAP!

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Joe Barrett is the only redeeming quality

If you are looking to learn more about the Ted Bundy case you will be disappointed. This book is not about his representation of Ted Bundy it is a revolting, narcissistic, interminable spewing of what makes John Henry Browne his own hero. The previous reviews talking about the shameless name dropping is NOT an exaggeration. At first I thought that was just the intro as he explained his road to becoming an attorney, but really it's not. He certainly does his best to emphasize his contact with Jimmy Hendrix and his family. A perfect example of a "has been" trying to prove that he "was". He also mentions other cases that he participated in, always making himself out to be the unsung hero. At the risk of being redundant, it's revolting. This is an incredibly short book. I'm only 1/2 way through and I doubt seriously I'll finish it. I don't remember the last time I was so disappointed in a book. He sells this book by doing interviews giving the idea that this book was about his representation of Ted. In the first 4 hours I don't think 30 minutes have discussed the Ted Bundy case.

Now, if you just are a fan of John Henry Browne and can't wait to learn more about why he's a great guy this is the book for you.

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Disappointing

This is very disappointing. The title of the book is misleading there is just a very small amount about Bundy and other cases.

When I began this book I thought it was interesting to hear about the authors life and I just had to get a little further into the book - and he would come to the point of his knowledge about Bundy etc

But no, the author kept talking about his young years and his girlfriends trough time.

The author comes trough as selfish and snobbish.

*this review has been shared on multiple platforms

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