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Book Reviews of A Civil Action

A Civil Action
A Civil Action
Author: Jonathan Harr
ISBN-13: 9780679772675
ISBN-10: 0679772677
Publication Date: 8/27/1996
Pages: 512
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 253

3.9 stars, based on 253 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

48 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed A Civil Action on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
The scariest part about this book is that it is real, it is close to home, and it could be happening anywhere. Not only could be, but is happening all around the world today. A true wake-up call from our complacency, but written in a riveting story style that keeps you turning pages to see what happens next.
Iluvgoldens avatar reviewed A Civil Action on + 104 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Awesome book, much better than the movie. A true story of an epic courtroom showdown. Two of the nation's largest corporations stand accused of causing the deaths of children. Representing the bereaved parents, the unlikeliest of heroes emerges: a young, flamboyant Porsche-driving lawyer who hopes to win millions of dollars and ends up nearly losing everything-including his sanity.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A true story of the legal system gone awry-. Two corporations accused of causing the deaths of children are the cause take up by a young lawyer who hopes to win. He ends up nearly losing all worldly goods and wonders about his sanity
reviewed A Civil Action on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Non-fiction story of a Massachusetts lawyer who brought suit against two giants of industry to get compensation for his clients who suffered from cancer due to polluted drinking water. One of the first of such cases. Fascinating story of how he risked all he had to bring these people to justice - and the people he did it for. A very, very good read.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 151 more book reviews
Serious inquiry into the Woburn toxic waste case and its origins. Fascinating esp for those people interested in how to make environmental change.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 8 more book reviews
I enjoyed this legal thriller a great deal. Action just keeps moving.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 31 more book reviews
Excellent book. Makes one wonder what else we have been exposed to without our knowledge.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 90 more book reviews
true story of an epic courtroom showdown
reviewed A Civil Action on + 174 more book reviews
Sorry Mr. Travolta, the book is better.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 94 more book reviews
Excellent, excellent book about a trial similar to that in Erin Brockovich. Great for legal buffs and anyone that likes John Grisham or legal suspense.
reviewed A Civil Action on
This book is really excellent, but it is a very depressing look at the legal system.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 28 more book reviews
I had to read this for a class and ended up really enjoying it. It was much more interesting than the movie, although that was good as well. Very good read and highly recommended for law students!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 34 more book reviews
A single lawyer takes on a big corporation whose illegal chemical disposal allegedly caused widespread illness - based on a true story.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 134 more book reviews
[from the back cover] This is the true story of an epic courtroom showdown. Two of the nation's largent corporations stand accused of causing the deaths of children. Representing the bereaved parents, the unlikeliest of heroes emerges: a young, flamboyant Porsche-driving lawyer who hopes to win millions of dollars and ends up nearly losing everything-including his sanity. A Civil Action is the searing, compelling tale of a legal system gone awry-one in which greed and power fight an unending struggle against justice.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 24 more book reviews
A true story, almost unbelievable.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 8 more book reviews
A good read!!!!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 29 more book reviews
True, but pedantic. The main character shows flaws but never rises to the occasion, simply stays a shallow, inconsiderate ambulance-chaser until the end. Might be interesting for tort lawyers, or complete non-lawyers. Well-researched, but ineffectual for me.
reviewed A Civil Action on
This book is everything people say about it - fascinating, engrossing, and a page turner! I did not want to put it down, and at 500+ pages, that's saying something. Lawyers and nonlawyers alike will enjoy this read!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 3 more book reviews
Loved this book. It reads like a novel but you hold your breath for the outcome because everything in it is true.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 158 more book reviews
This is the true story of an epic courtroom showdown. Two of the nation's largest corporations stand accused of causing the deaths of children. Representing the bereaved parents, the unlikeliest of heroes emerges: a young, flamboyant Porsche-driving lawyer who hopes to win millions of dollars and ends up nearly losing everything - including his sanity.

A Civil Action is the searing, compelling tale of a legal system gone awry - one in which greed and power fight an unending struggle against justice. Yet it is also the story of how one man can ultimately make a difference.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 8 more book reviews
Great book! From book cover: "...true story of an epic courtroom showdown. 2 of the nation's largest corporations stand accused of causing the deaths of children. Representing the bereaved parents, the unlikeliest of heroes emerges: a young, flamboyant Porsche-driving lawyer who hopes to win millions of dollars and ends up nearly losing everything - including his sanity.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 11 more book reviews
I didn't read this but it's supposed to be great, hard to put down!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 30 more book reviews
Really enjoyed this true story.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 62 more book reviews
from the book jacket: "A Civil Action takes the reader deep into the inner workings of the law, to a place where few other books have ventured. It brilliantly dramatizes the way the legal system is geared to resolving cases--between contenders of unequal power--rather than seeking truth or justice. It also shows the tragic absurdity of leaving it to the victims, the weakest group, to investigate the cause of a disaster affecting the whole community. The author was given unprecedented access to every meeting, strategy session, and financial record. Most important of all, the main characters gave the author access to their private lives, to their hopes and fears. From this comes a mesmerizing book that reads like a novel, a chronicle of a modern-day odyssey."
reviewed A Civil Action on + 7 more book reviews
True story about a small New England town, versus big business pollution. This is not a hardcover book, but it is a softcover!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 7 more book reviews
this is a MUST read. a classic. true novel set outside of boston. compelling, lot's of emotion in the book and some awesome twists!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 13 more book reviews
Fantastic and heartbreaking, especially since I live ten minutes from where these events took place. An incredible story of the effects of toxic waste, and a lawyer who truly risked and lost almost all he had to hold WR Grace accountable for their actions. Recommend highly.
stimpycat avatar reviewed A Civil Action on + 17 more book reviews
The movie based based on the book is pretty true to the novel. Interesting true story, very well writen.
Caryn9802 avatar reviewed A Civil Action on + 91 more book reviews
This non-fiction book reads like a thriller that you can't put down. I never saw the movie, but the story is fascinating and keeps you reading even when you're trying to put it down.
lynxxmarie avatar reviewed A Civil Action on + 165 more book reviews
I enjoyed the book better than the movie even if it did star John Travolta! The books and your imagination are always better!
Legal thriller of the decade. Large corporations stand accused of causing the deaths of children.
Fast paced page turner.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 151 more book reviews
Much better book than movie, and happened right here in massachusetts!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 412 more book reviews
Truly amazing, exhaustively-researched account of a famous environmental trial.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 159 more book reviews
"A page turner. So rich and vivid that it becomes a good deal more than a simple, interesting case study." -- The New York Times
reviewed A Civil Action on + 55 more book reviews
Excellent nonfiction about two major corporations facing a legal battle over the deaths of children. The hero is a flamboyant lawyer who risks everything to find justice for the families that have been innocently affected.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 6 more book reviews
interesting book.
reviewed A Civil Action on
Good read!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 7 more book reviews
This is a great book! It is also a real "feel good" book. Remember John Travolta? I think he does well as this character in the movie.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 5 more book reviews
A superb read!!!
reviewed A Civil Action on + 2 more book reviews
Fast paced book full of suspense. Great read.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 368 more book reviews
A true story about a big environmental pollution case, the lawyer that almost went crazy prosecuting it, and the sad ending. A story of how sometimes a case can be a depressing dose of reality.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 8 more book reviews
This is the true story of an epic courtroom showdown. Two of the nation's largest corporations stand accused of causing the deaths of children. Representing the bereaved parents, the unlikeliest of heroes emerges; a young, flamboyant Porsche-driving lawyer who hopes to win millions of dollars and ends up nearly losing everything-including his sanity.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 7 more book reviews
Great book
Clarinda avatar reviewed A Civil Action on
Basis for the movie starring John Travolta.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 54 more book reviews
If you like John Grisham, you will love this because this is similar. But the great thing about this is, that it is based on a true story.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 14 more book reviews
As often is said, true life makes for a more compelling story than fiction. So is true of this true story. I was drawn into this compelling tale, and sickened things like this could happen in your own back yard in recent years. I admit I wanted to read an Erin Brokovitch (sp?) ending...and there was no fairytale. A truly compelling read.
reviewed A Civil Action on + 22 more book reviews
This is a fantastic book. It is an actual case which pitted families whose children died or were dying from toxic chemicals in the drinking water, against big corporations accused of dumping the chemicals. It is a behind the scenes look at the hard work, money, politics, strategy and conniving that goes on in the "justice" system, and how judges can make decisions(sometimes frivolously) that can cripple one side or another. It is a look at personalities at their best and worst, and how sometimes, to quote the book, "The truth is at the bottom of a bottomless pit."
reviewed A Civil Action on + 26 more book reviews
Interesting story of a lawsuit. I think it had to do with leukemia. I can't remember, it's been years since I read it.
angelstar avatar reviewed A Civil Action on + 96 more book reviews
The movie "A Civil Action" was based on this book and stars John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub, and William H. Macy.

"Whether in truth of fiction, I have never read a more compelling Chronicle of litigation." ~ John Grisham

"A page-turner. Rich and vivid ... eventful and gripping."
~ The New York Times

"Once you start A CIVIL ACTION, you probably will not be able to put it down." ~ Washington Post Book World