Fundamental Cases

The Twentieth-Century Courtroom Battles That Changed Our Nation - The Modern Scholar

By: Alan M. Dershowitz

Narrated by: Alan M. Dershowitz

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The courtroom trial has fascinated human beings from the beginning of recorded history. Trials are theater, trials are history, and the great trials of the 20th century and beyond provide a unique window into American history and the sense of America's enduring commitment to law.

It was Alexis de Tocqueville who, when he visited the new republic for the first time, said that America was a unique country when it comes to law. Every great issue eventually comes before the courts.

With this in mind, esteemed professor and civil liberties lawyer Alan Dershowitz looks at history through the prism of the trial, because a trial presents a snapshot of what's going on in a particular point in time of the nation's history.

What's a great trial? People will often say the trial of the moment. But those trials are often not enduring. The focus of this course is on landmark trials and the important, dramatic aspects of the history of the time in which they occurred.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2006 Alan M. Dershowitz (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC

Fascinating and engaging

Had low expectations going into this but found myself addicted quickly to the story telling and commentaries of Alan Dershowitz. He shows how court cases are a window into the soul of American history and culture. There are also a few practical lessons here on lawyering.

Fascinating learning

I'm really enjoying this book. I'm about 90% finished but the book is so enjoyable, I am not worried about my review changing.

Dershowitz discusses the cases that have influenced our law and politics. This book is especially interesting in light of the recent Supreme Court hearings on DOMA and same sex marriage. You don't have to be a lawyer to appreciate this book, but it does make it easier.

Dershowitz discusses cases including OJ, Mike Tyson, Klaus von Bulow, and Bush v. Gore. Keep in mind that he was personally involved in some of the cases so his opinions are different than the average person. I definitely got the feeling that he thinks OJ did it - big shocker, I know.

Keep in mind that he is very left wing so take his opinions with a grain of salt if you are not.

This is like listening to a fascinating law school lecture - and that's a good thing.

A Terrific Look at Law, People & Reality

I highly recommend this audiobook. Not only did I learn a lot and enjoy the way the stories were presented chapter by chapter, I was also pleasantly surprised at having such an insider view into the bulk of these cases. The author was either personally involved or had some direct connection to so many of these fundamental cases which provided a perspective not easily obtained by others.

The Development of Law in America

Law in America is at some degree a judge made law. This course provides a glimpse in some of the most important Supreme Court’s decisions and traces its understanding of the Constitution. The various approaches of its text are exposed and linked with political facts and manifestations of others branches of government. Professor Friedman describes the Supreme Court jurisprudence in a clear and enlightening way.

A mixed bag

Parts of this book are thought provoking and interesting. Other parts left me wondering why they were included. I felt like the instructor was singing his own praises a bit. Still, my understanding of how courts cases proceed has been enhanced.

I'm a bit disappointed, I guess

The book was interesting enough in particulars, but I guess I wasn't expecting so many of the cases to be ones with which we're all fairly familiar. It was interesting to hear some of the stuff that went on behind the scenes or after the verdict, and I suppose this information flushes out our understanding of Roe V Wade, The Scopes Monkey Trial and the Mike Tyson trial, but I didn't find the impact of most of the cases mentioned to be particularly compelling. As for the interesting cases (Roe v Wade and Scopes), the author didn't reveal much I couldn't have guessed about the impact or repercussions of these cases.
Maybe I was expecting more of a history of the supreme court or then evolution of jurisprudence in the US.

An Easy Listen that Goes Quick

Would you listen to Fundamental Cases again? Why?

I'm sure I'll listen to it again. Dershowitz's insight into the cases he presents is worth listening to again and again. Dersh weaves together his opinions and experience with facts, law and policy (and in the later chapters, politics) to educate and enlighten. I wish he'd spent more time laying the ground work for some of the cases he lectures on. You can tell that he knows far more and is holding back.

What other book might you compare Fundamental Cases to and why?

If there are other similar books on Audible, I'd like to check them out. It compares somewhat to Gerry Spence's "Police State" in that it examines cases as vignettes to make larger points about the court system, but the topics here are broader and not so tied to the facts of the case.

Which scene was your favorite?

The O.J. Simpson case and the Mike Tyson case.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Bush v. Gore. Dershowitz's indictment of the Supreme Court as a body heavily influenced by the justices' own petty ambitions and partisan politics blew away any naïve beliefs that remained in me about an impartial and independent judiciary.

Any additional comments?

I wish there were more Audible offerings like this, with more recent material. If anyone has any suggestions on similar programs, I'd appreciate it.

Awesome!

I always want to know why. This book gives me the whys of the most captivating trials of the past 100 years. Very interesting!

Good stuff

It was quite good. Very interesting, some of the cases were not terribly detailed.

Particularly some of the older cases just had way less information than newer ones. but worth a listen. the first case, the Scopes Monkey Trial, was very very interesting. Worth it just for that. Also there is a bit of bias at times (you can definitely tell who he's rooting for) but I suppose that's to be expected. Overall, extremely interesting and worth a listen. Great narrating as well.

Awesome read

I sincerely hope this series will be updated with cases from 2014 to present (2022).