Diary of a DA

The True Story of the Prosecutor Who Took on the Mob, Fought Corruption, and Won

By: Herbert J. Stern

Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly

A gripping inside account of the mechanisms of law and order.

In 1961, 25-year-old Herbert Jay Stern, fresh from reserve duty, stood in his green army uniform in a New York County courtroom to be sworn in as an attorney. He could only guess what his life as a prosecuting lawyer would be. A dozen years later, in the wake of the national scandal of Watergate, Stern, draped in black robes now, would take the oath of office as a federal judge. In the years between, the idealistic young Stern would sharpen his skills in the realities of the criminal courts of New York City, to emerge as the lead trial attorney for the Justice Department, charged with breaking the back of organized crime in New Jersey. Stern’s highly charged account of his outright war against powerful state government officials and the mafia takes us deep inside the mechanisms of law and order during a time when assassinations came fast and loose, cities were burning in race riots, and racketeering and graft were so prevalent in the Garden State that its own senator called it a "stench in the nostrils and an offense to the vision of the world".

Before Stern and his equally dedicated colleagues on the "strike force" out of Washington, D.C., are finished, they will have successfully prosecuted the mayors of Jersey City, Newark, and Atlantic City for being on the take; a congressman for conspiracy, tax violations, and perjury; and blackened the eye of organized crime.

©2012 The Herbert J. Stern Corp., Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Highly recommended

I will grant you that I am very interested in law. From my perspective this was an immensely engrossing book and I’m going to keep it in my library and listen to it at least once more.

Diary of a DA

Fascinating. For me, growing up in that era, and having worked in law enforcement, I found the detail, pacing and content superior.

Brilliant and spellbinding.

One of the modern era’s best trial lawyers give a bird’s eye account of just how corrupt New Jersey was and how he cleaned it up. Well told by a master storyteller. A gem.

good listen

it was a good listen starts a little slow but when he gets into the cases its good. Good if u wanna see the other side of things as far as criminal perspective to US Attorney perspective.

inspiring book

fascinating, interesting book about a good prosecutor. i used a few of his tricks in the courtroom as well. his insights on being a prosecutor, knowing when to prosecute, and why we need to prosecute criminals are lessons i will always take with me through the rest of my life.

great story! Great performance!!

I purchase this book off of a whim. I was in for a surprise because I hadn't known the author or his story just adjacent stories. the book was very interesting, easy to read, and very worth my while. the narrator's performance was even better. buy this book.

excellent book everyone should hear!

This story is a very interesting take on so many issues that we still battle to this day!

Very candid without a ton of minutiae

Great audio book. No nonsense and no excessive back patting. Most chapters are succinct and to the point. Sometimes, we wish for a bit more detail but we don't need a seventy hour dinner. The narrator was perfect

Title is misleading otherwise good book

This books should be titled diary of a prosecutor or diary of an AUSA. The authors district attorney story is a very small part of the book. Otherwise this is an excellent book which I recommend all prosecutors and anyone interested in the criminal legal system read.

Interesting Listen

I cant help wonder listening to this, how many in public service today can say they have satisfied their conscience.