The Appeal

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town's water supply, causing the worst "cancer cluster" in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.

Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?

The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.

The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave listeners unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.

©2008 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Nice book.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Appeal to be better than the print version?

I dont know.

What did you like best about this story?

the definition and understanding of the business world and courts.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

OK, clear and good timming.

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

Diferents moments...

Any additional comments?

no

Disappointed

I enjoyed "The Appeal" but the ending left me a little disappointed. I understand that in life there are no garuntees of happy endings but one of the reasons I read fiction is to escape real life. If this were a movie I would be looking for the DVD alternate ending.

Loved the book, hated the ending

As a Grisham devotee, I was captivated by this story, heartbroken at the outcome. Grisham has taken me on so may adventures that end with the good guys finding a clever solution. I had hoped for the same. I cared about the characters and wanted a better outcome for them all. I'd like an appeal for "The Appeal". Maybe a follow up to the Supreme Court? Please.

not my favorite

the narrator: OUTSTANDING! The end of the story was predictable. Money and power almost always wins, even in fiction.

true, didn't like the end but so true

People who complained about being liberal must not read Grisham. A pretty true representation of our current existence. Really did enjoy though.

Classic Grisham

Courtroom books can get repetitious. This one is classic Grisham with host of interesting characters. Most are good or bad to the bone with very few in between...that's what make listening to Grisham so much fun. Throw in some corporate "meanies" and single-minded consultants, and this kind of stuff might actually occur in real life.

Typical Grisham

If you like Grisham novels, you will probably like this one. It is nothing special and left me hoping the bad guys are not nearly as bad as he makes them out to be. While not great, it is certainly a good listen, well narrated with a fast moving plot.

Another Good Read

Good read, good narrator. Dive in. It’s worth a listen. Researched to see if there is a sequel to this one. Doesn’t appear to be. That’s a shame

The Appeal

As usual with John Grisham, stories are wonderful and I love listening to the legal information (knowing that maybe not all of it is true).
Good story. My recommendation is for the the future readers to pay close attention to the reasons this next judge gets voted in.

The Appeal

A very good story that is probably very close to fact. Ending made me sad!