The Myth of moral justice - ISBNLookup.com

Jonathan Kirsch

Rosenbaum seems to realize that there is not much chance that his proposed reforms will be adopted in any formal sense, and he readily acknowledges that many lawyers will find the whole idea to be "ludicrous." But his book ought to be required reading in law schools and continuing legal education classes, if only because at least a few of his readers will be humanized by the experience. And that is, above all, what "The Myth of Moral Justice" is really about.
— The Washington Post

Dahlia Lithwick

Rosenbaum should still be read by every law student in America. His assessment of attorneys as unhappy shells of people and his statistics about the rates of depression and addiction remind us of the dangers inherent in locking your heart in the parking lot each morning. Being more empathetic, attempting to broker compromise, encouraging parties to apologize, becoming, as he puts it, ''feelers'' rather than mere ''thinkers'' -- all are crucial steps toward making lawyers emotionally intact again. But the single most moral thing lawyers can do is to urge clients to understand that even if they win their case they won't necessarily be happy and that they can't get their old life back. That happens in church, or therapy, if it happens at all. The myth behind The Myth of Moral Justice is that the law would be more moral if it could become more than it is. The truth is, we'd all be better off if we looked to it for far less.
— The New York Times

Publishers Weekly

A professor at Fordham Law School, Rosenbaum (The Golems of Gotham) observes that American culture is enthralled by lawyers and courtroom proceedings, yet Americans distrust lawyers and find the quality of justice in this country deficient. He ascribes this what he feels is ambivalence regarding the lack of morality and emotional complexity in law offices and in courtrooms. Rosenbaum calls for a "morally inspired transformation of the legal system," a "massive attitude adjustment" that would replace the sterile formality of the law with conscience and spirituality. To accomplish this, he advocates fewer settlements of cases and more trials, at which injured parties would be permitted, even encouraged, to vent rage at their oppressors. A novelist as well as teacher of law and literature, Rosenbaum believes in the power of storytelling as a means of healing and insists the storytelling should continue even after judgment is entered. A second trial phase should immediately convene, one in which all participants would discuss their grief, disappointment and shame. No one would be permitted to leave until all the stories had been told in full. On other themes, Rosenbaum urges that a duty to rescue should be recognized in American law as a moral imperative, and endorses apologies as beneficial to victims and wrongdoers alike. Readers will recognize that this book is more visionary than practical, and lawyers will be annoyed at the author's scolding and superior tone. But perhaps provoking lawyers is part of the book's point. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Rosenbaum (law, Fordham Univ.) here critiques the current state of the legal system, decrying its lack of a soul or tenderness. He argues that the system fails to consider the basic question of why people bring lawsuits or prosecute criminals. The desire for a moral lesson, an apology, or an ability to express feelings is currently suppressed by the law. Using examples from movies, plays, and fiction, he contrasts the grievances and expectations of justice of individuals entering the system and the institutionalized results the system delivers. Rosenbaum suggests that the law should provide moral remedies and strive to restore human relationships for the good of the entire community. He further argues that, instead of reducing damages to dollars and cents, the law should require apologies to the injured. This well-written book ranges widely in its use of examples, which include the Torah, Seinfeld, and the courtroom movies of John Grisham. Recommended for large collections.-Harry Charles, Attorney at Law, St. Louis Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

The New York Sun

"Mr. Rosenbaum’s complaints about the current legal system are widely shared."

Booklist

"This is a thoughtful look at the shortcomings of the American legal system."

Miami Herald

"[Rosenbaum] cleverly enlivens his discourse with histrionic scenes from novels, films, plays and TV."

Washington Post

"[Rosenbaum’s] book ought to be required reading in law schools and continuing legal education classes."

New York Times Book Review

"Rosenbaum should be read by every law student in America."