A book of this kind could easily become a snooze for anyone not specifically interested in the judicial systems workings. However, Katzberg did a great job providing engaging and interesting ways to provide this look behind the curtain so to speak of the trial system. A book worthy of a read, even for those that aren't desiring to hod a law degree or stand before a judge.

Amazing insight into the author's experience and I thoroughly enjoyed this book Good balance of fact and description that kept me really engaged..
I have an interest in legal drama and sometimes the fiction is too unrealistic but this was a solid read

A courtroom memoir filled with humorous anecdotes and a warning about our current trial system.

This book was not exactly what I expected based on the title - it's more a memoir about the author's experiences as a trial lawyer than an explanation of why trials are less common and why we should care. Katzberg does make some references to plea bargains/mandatory minimums driving lower trial rates, but the focus is on his career.

If you like courtroom dramas and want a behind-the-scenes look, there's a lot to like about this book. Katzberg writes well and profiles some of the most successful and infamous trial lawyers, including the times when his path crossed with theirs. He shows the reader what separates a good lawyer from a great one, and a great lawyer from a superstar.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 - this book delivers on its promises, but I personally would have liked more in-depth analysis of the "vanishing trial" phenomenon.

Thank you to Mascot Books for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Solid Examination More Memoir Than Treatise. I was actually going to 4* this one until I went back and re-read the description, which did in fact hint at this being more memoir than treatise - which was my only real reason for docking the star. I had thought, reading it well after actually picking it up, that I was getting more treatise with just a smattering of memoir.

That noted, Katzberg does a remarkable job of showing the problems he notes as only an insider can, and sets the stage for further exploration - perhaps, as he so often notes, from someone more scholarly inclined - of the exact issues, their exact causes and histories, and maybe some examination of potential solutions, even including Katzberg's own. Ultimately more Failure Is Not An Option (Gene Kranz's remarkable memoir of his time as a Flight Director during the Apollo era) than Rise Of the Warrior Cop (Radley Balko's complete record of policing in America and in particular its militarization of the last 50 years or so), this is truly a spectacular effort, well written with concise points, solid anecdotes, and an appropriate smattering of humor. Very much recommended.

I conducted an interview about this book with Mr. Katzberg for the podcast The Modern Law Library. I genuinely enjoyed reading it, and I think it is a good mix of anecdotes from a long career, tips for aspiring trial lawyers, and a clarion call to protect the right to a jury trial. It's written in an approachable style, so although I do think that lawyers or other legal professionals will enjoy it, you do not have to have a law degree to understand and appreciate it.

A fascinating ride through the intricacies of the judicial system, without ever appearing that intricate. Katzberg's tales of past trials, his thoughts on the system and the overall feel is the book, all are as entertaining as they are informative. Recommended to any even casual student of law.

I really enjoyed this book! The author explores how trials by jury are becoming less commonplace in our judiciary system and the effects this is having on our criminal justice system.

Katzberg really explores all sides of the issue and from the perspective of both citizens as well as legal counsel. There are clearly many flaws with the jury system, but using it less frequently results in more power being held in the hands of judges discretion, which can also be problematic. This was something I didn't even realize was happening and I think it's an overlooked aspect of criminal justice reform that needs more attention brought to it.

It should be read by all those who care about preserving the Founders’ vision of the American jury as a need part of the system. It's a good read, almost reads like a novel.