The author is a New York Times Columnist, meaning he knows how to write. He weaves story-telling with historical data, so the whole thing isn't fun; but it's balanced.

The author goes to enormous lengths to educate the reader and keep the information as stimulating as possible. There were many instances when I couldn't put the book down, or wait to pick it up again.

This was on our required reading list when I took political science in college, and umpteen years later, it still deserves to be required. When young friends are considering law school, I buy them Scott Turow's "One L," so they'll know what law school is like, and "Gideon's Trumpet" so they'll know why they should stick it out.

This book is a very good read, especially for those who have never really spent the time to understand the difference between federal & state court systems, or for those who want to learn fundamentals about the US Supreme Court. The story of Clarence Earl Gideon is pretty remarkable.

Gideon's Trumpet is an account of Clarence Earl Gideon -- an indigent prisoner who took his Habeas case to the Supreme Court and spawned the 60's federal and state movement to establish legal representation for the outcast. His case, Gideon vs. Wainwright (1963), resulted in the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to overturn a 21-year-old ruling in Betts vs. Brady, and secured the right of legal representation for the accused who do not have the means to pay for a counsel in the United States.

Previous to the Gideon ruling, the Supreme Court had determined that the states should, more or less, decide whether or not the accused needed representation. As a result, in many instances, the lack of a specific federal position and ambiguous guidelines allowed the states to legally prosecute indigent defendants without offering them any legal protection. That is, until Clarence Gideon managed to take his case all the way upto the highest court in the U.S. and win.

Although the case history is significant in its own right, Gideon's Trumpet is narrated with enough sidenotes about the judicial process and social context that it offers a broad meaningful look at the legal system for the general public. Of all the dry, law-related books that are out there, this is one of the rare few that I can safely recommend to my friends.

Gideon's Trumpet is an account of Clarence Earl Gideon -- an indigent prisoner who took his Habeas case to the Supreme Court and spawned the 60's federal and state movement to establish legal representation for the outcast. His case, Gideon vs. Wainwright (1963), resulted in the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to overturn a 21-year-old ruling in Betts vs. Brady, and secured the right of legal representation for the accused who do not have the means to pay for a counsel in the U.S. Previous to the Gideon ruling, the Supreme Court had determined that the states should, more or less, decide whether or not the accused needed representation. As a result, in many instances, the lack of a specific federal position and ambiguous guidelines allowed states to legally prosecute indigent defendants without offering them any legal protection. That is until, Clarence Gideon managed to take his case all the way upto the highest court in the U.S. and win.

Though the case history is significant in its own right, Gideon's Trumpet is narrated with enough sidenotes about the judicial process and the context that it offers a broad educational look at the legal system for the general public. Of all the dry, law-related books that are out there, this is one of the rare few that I can safely recommend to my friends.

This outstanding book dissects Gideon v. Wainright, the landmark 1963 Supreme Court case which held that indigent criminal defendants are entitled to legal counsel at government expense. Lewis tells the story from the viewpoints of the lawyers, the judges, and Gideon himself. He mixes legal history with human interest stories; his writing is unfailingly clear; and he provides a wonderful primer on Supreme Court litigation. The particular issues in Gideon are no longer of burning public interest, but the broad message that our criminal justice system must protect basic human rights is more relevant than ever in 2005. Lawyers and laymen alike will enjoy the book. Six stars.

This outstanding book dissects Gideon v. Wainright, the landmark 1963 Supreme Court case which held that indigent criminal defendants are entitled to legal counsel at government expense. Lewis tells the story from the viewpoints of the lawyers, the judges, and Gideon himself. He mixes legal history with human interest stories; his writing is unfailingly clear; and he provides a wonderful primer on Supreme Court litigation. The particular issues in Gideon are no longer of burning public interest, but the broad message that our criminal justice system must protect basic human rights is more relevant than ever in 2005. Lawyers and laymen alike will enjoy the book. Six stars.

This book is outstanding. It dissects Gideon v. Wainright, the landmark 1963 Supreme Court case that conferred on indigent criminal defendants the right to government-provided counsel. Lewis tells the story from the viewpoints of the lawyers, the judges, and Gideon himself. He mixes legal history with human interest stories; his writing is unfailingly clear; and he provides a wonderful primer on Supreme Court litigation. The particular issues in Gideon are no longer of burning public interest, but the broad message that our criminal justice system must embody basic human rights is relevant even in 2005. Lawyers and laymen alike will enjoy the book. Six stars.

I was required to read "Gideon" as part of my summer reading in preparation for my first year of law school, and I am very glad that I did.

It is a very accessible read, with enough narrative for those who usually read fiction, but enough technical information about the judicial process to keep the attention of a reader mainly interested in the nuts and bolts of how Supreme Court cases come to be.

It is a great introduction to the court system in general, the supreme court, and the issue of right to counsel.

The only caveat I would have is since the chapters vary from narrative to explanations of procedure some chapters will be easier to read than others--depending on your interest.

This is a fantastic story about one man's struggle for justice. Gideon was a poor, career criminal who was denied counsel in Florida for a charge of petty theft who challenged his right to an attorney all the way to the Supreme Court.

Like all court cases, there are long, human stories that lead up to the actual trial, but unfortunately those are seldom told and the only record we are left with is court opinions. In this book, however, a New York Times reporter did a staggering amount of research to present Gideon's personal history, as well as the development of his case, the preparation of his lawyers, the actual legal machinations that led to him winning his case before the Court. It is triumphant and interesting story for most readers, but it is also very educational and inspirational for aspiring lawyers who really don't understand the way the law works in the real world and needs a reminder that the law is really about helping people. I would highly recommend this book.

In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon was charged in the State of Florida with the offense of burglary, a felony. He asked the court to appoint an attorney to represent him. The judge refused, telling Gideon that Florida only provided counsel in capital cases. So Gideon went to trial, representing himself, and was convicted.

From the Florida State Prison in Raiford, in 1962, Clarence Earl Gideon wrote a letter to the United States Supreme Court, asking that his conviction be overturned on the grounds that he should have been given a lawyer. He was fighting an uphill battle. The Court had previously ruled in Betts v. Brady that the 6th Amendment right to counsel did not apply to the states. Gideon was asking the Court to change its mind, just twenty years later.

The Court agreed to hear his case, and appointed Abe Fortas to brief and argue it. The rest is history. Gideon won his case (and at retrial, with counsel, was acquitted), and indigent criminal defendants are now guaranteed the right to counsel. 2003 marks the 40th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, which is the foundation stone of indigent defense throughout the United States).

Anthony Lewis was for many years the New York Times Supreme Court correspondent. His work covering the Court was knowledgeable and incisive. In this book, he explains clearly and simply the legal history that Gideon and Fortas had to face, and how this historic change came about.

In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon was charged in the State of Florida with the offense of burglary, a felony. He asked the court to appoint an attorney to represent him. The judge refused, telling Gideon that Florida only provided counsel in capital cases. So Gideon went to trial, representing himself, and was convicted.

From the Florida State Prison in Raiford, in 1962, Clarence Earl Gideon wrote a letter to the United States Supreme Court, asking that his conviction be overturned on the grounds that he should have been given a lawyer. He was fighting an uphill battle. The Court had previously ruled in Betts v. Brady that the 6th Amendment right to counsel did not apply to the states. Gideon was asking the Court to change its mind, just twenty years later.

The Court agreed to hear his case, and appointed Abe Fortas to brief and argue it. The rest is history. Gideon won his case (and at retrial, with counsel, was acquitted), and indigent criminal defendants are now guaranteed the right to counsel. 2003 marks the 40th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, which is the foundation stone of indigent defense throughout the United States).

Anthony Lewis was for many years the New York Times Supreme Court correspondent. His work covering the Court was knowledgeable and incisive. In this book, he explains clearly and simply the legal history that Gideon and Fortas had to face, and how this historic change came about.

I saw the movie with Henry Fonda on video while I was in high school. The story was fascinating, and years later I read this book. The details of the story, again, were fascinating and Lewis relates them well. But along the way, you have to slog through a LOT of commentary about how selfless these lawyers are and how we owe them a debt of gratitude, etc. Well, fine. But it just got a little heavy-handed for my taste. The story on its own would have made that point FOR him. The constant "just-the-altruistic-lawyers-against-the-evil-system" argument is annoying mostly because it is precisely that system that ALLOWED the case to be brought forth and decided in the first place!

Simply a brief review as the book has been out for years, but is still worth your time to read how fundamental constitutional law is breathed to life from the words of our United States Constitution by the United States Supreme Court from a then backwater county, Bay County, Florida, in the Panhandle region of North Florida.

Bay County's county seat is Panama City, next to the world famous Panama City Beach -- where girls go wild, spring break brings in thousands and thousands and where crime continues...

This is one of the better books on the Supreme Court. It covers the initial problem, the progress through the courts, to decision and brief epilogue. The insights into the inner workings of the Supreme Court are very good. I would not say unprecedented coverage, but possibly unprecedented in a single volume -- some aspects are seen in other books, just not in the same one.

The author avoids any political hangups but still generates a sense of something about to happen that is politically huge. Forty years later, it is a big part of our current assumptions about law, which goes to show how powerful it was. For the author to maintain his distance must have required inordinate self control.

One of the top-ten books on the Supreme Court.

Gideon's Trumpet is an eloquent and informative look at a very important story in the history of the United States legal system. Not only will it teach you about the evolution of the right to counsel from the case of Gideon v. Wainwright, but it teaches you much about the practices, intricacies and eccentricities of the Supreme Court and its members. This book should be considered essential and required reading for all law students. I loved it and learned much from it.

This book chronicles the struggle of Earl Gideon to overcome his conviction. During his trial for petty theft, he had no counsel and had to defend himself. He appealed his case to the Supreme Court and was given an excellent lawyer to defend him.

This is an excellent real life account of how the Supreme Court conducts its business. More importantly, it's a human document re-affirming one of the central values of our country-- that one person, with a just cause, can change the course of history.

This is great reading for lawyers and law students. If you have a friend who has 'graduated' from legal thrillers, they may enjoy this intensely. Also, any fan of history will love it. Also, check out the movie with Peter Fonda. It's a great film.

Clarence Earl Gideon, petty thief, did at least two things right in his life. He preserved his record by requesting the appointment of a lawyer for him, and he filed a timely petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.

Ironically, although the Florida courts denied Gideon legal represention, the Justices appointed Abe Fortas, soon to be one of their brothers, to argue his cause. His victory, forever establishing the right of the poor to counsel in felony cases in America, was one of the landmark cases of the Warren Court.

As importantly, this book illustrates law at the human level. This is where practioners routinely encounter it. Cases studied in law school are sterile, stripping the humanity and drama from the litigants, and replacing them with rules of decision and conduct necessary for societal regulation. The distillation of fact contained within an appellate decision, even a landmark, pales in comparison to the human beings who create the cause.

Anthony Lewis's book should point law students and young lawyers to the deeper lessons of practice. Law is about people; and we, as lawyers, are their servants.