Administrative Law Books

have a problem with using words like "brilliant", "masterful" and "intelligent." But willing apply all words to this brilliant book, masterfully research and intelligently told.

The author gives a very full and complete treatise on Brown versus the Board of Education, but of greater interest, he writes of all the history that lead up to the ruling.

An exceptional book chronicling an extremely important issue in our country's history.

Long a mainstay of every 1L's pre-law school summer reading list, SIMPLE JUSTICE is more than a retelling of the tortured history of the landmark cases now known collectively as Brown v. Board of Ed. It is more than a retelling of the agonizing struggles of both gifted and ordinary people---black and white and every other---to reverse the four centuries of racial disparagement that make up the ugliest of all underpinnings of the American Experiment. What SIMPLE JUSTICE is, is an exhaustive sociological history of race relations in the United States to the 1950s.

It is a book every American should read. The endemic quality of racism in the American psyche is so overwhelming that it is easy to lose the human element. SIMPLE JUSTICE restores that element with sensitive, intelligent writing, exhaustive and documented research, and a tone which is pitch perfect, strident when need be, reasoned and thoughtful throughout. Ultimately optimistic, SIMPLE JUSTICE will renew your belief in the American system even while tempering it.

In it's retelling of nightmarish incident after nightmarish incident (the explosive and hideous lynchings are often easier to understand than the equally hideous and more subtle segregation and caricaturing that endured for, it seems, ever), SIMPLE JUSTICE shows us an America riven by its view of itself as a noble nation being eaten by the canker in its soul.

Although many Americans now consider race discrimination passe, it is not so hard to see the continuation of a pattern of violence toward blacks and the denigration of the black experience, even today. And yet, there is more, for not only are Black Americans denigrated, but White Americans as well, both suffering because this nation is only a fraction of what it might othewise be.

SIMPLE JUSTICE is a crucial Civics lesson. Read it to learn. Read it to know. Read it. Read it again.

This is certainly the best book ever written -- the best book that ever will be written -- about race, law and American society. It is a remarkably insightful history and one of the most stunning existing examples of narrative journalism. It is a masterpiece.

I'm a fan of nonfiction works and this easily moved to my top 5 favorite books. When I was growing up there were no courses on the contributions blacks made to America. There was no black history month. And I was cheated. I'm a 50+ white woman who lived through desegregation and had no clue that it was a struggle. I honestly don't remember a time when my elementary classes were all white but they must have been. I do remember clearly when my elementary class stopped being all white. That was when Richard Harris became my Batman buddy. On the aftenoons following the show we would go to the neighborhood soda shop and have a coke and discuss all the action of the previous evening's show and check for new Batman bubble gum cards with the intensity that only 5th graders can bring to such an important endeavor. It felt normal to chat Batman with Richard; and I'm so sorry for all the children that had such a dumb practice as segregation rob them of those moments.

This book read like a thiriller for me. Couldn't put it down. Underlined and highlighted parts. Read other sections out loud to my husband and to some friends at work. This is American history. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn about the value of education, the value of varied experiences and the perseverance to acquire the rights that should never have been denied to the black people. It's made me hungry to know more and I'll be keeping my eye out for other works by Kluger. Excellent author.

I just finished this book, A Simple Justice, and it is fantastic. It's the story of Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka, which is the landmark Supreme Court case that desegregated compulsory public schools in America. But it's so much more than that. After reading this book, I felt almost ashamed of my previous ignorance to the struggles and condition of black america at the hands of almost everyone else in the country. It is comprehensive in its scope and perspicacious in its analysis, sparing no feelings on either (or rather, any) side. I believe myself to be, for the most part, a judicious man when it comes to philosophical or sociological observations, but Kluger was able to open my eyes to angles I had previously missed on issues I thought I had resolved long ago. So if you're not too scared of big books, this one's worth the time.

The word "complete" in the title of this book holds true through it's content. Securing a U.S. Patent is an extremely delicate process, which must be handled carefully. There are many details to tend to and this book highlights them all in an extremely intellectual yet broadly understood manner.

From the inception of an idea through to the finalization of the patenting process, every step must be documented, drafted, checked and rechecked. This book guides the reader from the beginning through to the end of the process, "dotting all I's and crossing all T's."

Burrell's knowledge of the patenting process gained through his own experiences are evident. The content of the book carries the reader from the 1st step of drafting the specifications of your concept and documenting your discoveries in the early beginning stages through the searches and research, to the document filing process, the laws one should be familiar with and one's rights related to patenting. This book also contains examples of forms, a useful glossary and other charts including a chart listing the member nations of the patent cooperation treaty. There are also helpful tips provided by an experienced patent attorney throughout the book adding further useful information to this already great book.

"The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent" by Jamaine Burrell takes the inventor on a journey from concept to marketplace, and covers everything else in between.
An easy-to-follow guide, the complicated topic of patenting is simplified by Burell. It offers practical advice and instructions, tips and examples. It will undoubtedly help any inventor learn the ropes of filing, protecting and maintaining a U.S. patent.
Imagine life without the cell phone or home computer. Without those technologies, modern-day life would be very different. For those inventors, patenting was an important process.
With this book, patenting doesn't have to be a mysterious task. Even the lay person can file a patent.
Whether the inventor has created a new medicine, a breed of fruit, machinery, or computer software, they will want to protect their invention and make sure it finds its way to market. This will give them the knowledge to actually do so.
It also discusses copywrites, trade marks and trade secrets. The guide, with companion CD-ROM, could easily help the inventor bring the next big need or necessity into the mainstream.
5 stars

The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent by Jamaine Burrell is truly a complete reference source for deciphering the puzzle of securing a U.S. patent. At times, the complexity of the process boggled my mind, but the author cuts to the chase and gives good descriptions of legal requirements, definitions, specific info for certain states plus details on the various types of patents, intellectual property, inventions, copyrights and trademarks and more.

After describing many details, he gives complete instructions that would enable a layperson to do a patent search, fill out the applications and save plenty of money in attorney's fees. Of course, it is a long and extremely detailed process that could easily be messed up by not paying strict attention to details. The appendix includes a variety of information, including PTO fees and copyright fees, plus info on countries participating in certain conventions for those who may wish to pursue international patents or copyrights.

Overall, the book gives an excellent overview of the patent process, and I would recommend the do-it-yourself method for the most dedicated of souls, of which I am not one. I would either have to hire an attorney, or miss out on my big patent.

For anyone who's ever held off on really running with a great idea because the process of getting a patent seemed too daunting, this book is the next best thing to having an expert hold your hand and personally take you through all the steps.

The author begins with a straightforward overview of what the book is designed to do and then follows through on all counts, beginning with the basics of what patents are all about and why they're so important. Also discussed in great detail are the elements of intellectual property, the processes of invention, and the steps to establishing patent ownership, including patent searches, filing a patent application, and protecting your patents. Although the book's main focus is patents, other intellectual property assets including copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets are also covered. Also included is a CD-ROM with all the forms and checklists necessary for filing a patent.

Patent law is complex, and hiring a patent attorney can be costly. This book will not only help inventors protect their inventions and ideas, it can save them money along the way.

This is a study of the patent, what it means and the basics of getting it more than a step-by-step manual starting at the beginning and ending with your putting a Priority Mail application in the slot.

To obtain a patent you do not have to prove that a concept works. You only have to document it in clear, layered language and drawings. The language is critical for the defense of the patent's claims which means that everything gets defined several ways. Thus, "a tube is, a pipe, a hollow conductor or any such enclosure for the transmission of said fluid" instead of just being a tube. Such extra verbiage allows lawyers to spend hours in court arguing over what you meant, said and did not say to run up your bill and make an already cranky judge furious at the other side.

If you are starting from zero, have not been through the process, at least through the searching phase, and clearly know nothing this book is worth the price. It is basic, clearly written and fairly up-to-date. But, the real source in this business is the US Patent and Trademark Office' website. While it is written in the cautious, overstated, layered language of "Bureauspeak" it is understandable to the novice if he has has read 20 or 30 patents, knows his own field well and has paid a few lawyer's bills. Fear of an outrageous bill is compelling motivation in matters of this kind.

There is a place for guide to the USPTO website, but there are so many variations now with so much more patentable, i.e. computer programs, genes, fanciful chemical systems, business models, etc. that such a guide would either have to be an Occam's Razor-like work revealing certain principles or a compendium of the many ways to get through each of the several ways for the kinds of patents now available.

Experience with this area convinces you that patents were created for attorneys instead of inventors. This is an area of law practice that is an open field of strange people with dreams and those who will milk them of their last dollar. After they have their patents in hand most find that no one wants them because they didn't think of the idea first. Ego begins where creation ends and it is like hitting a bedsheet with a stick. You never have an effect, but about 1% of the people who suffer through this process make it work and get to spend hours in court going after the big guys who ripped them off.

I've been in a band for several years, and unfortunately, everyone else that has been in my band has never had the experience of running it as a business. We have been skating by all these years just doing gigs, but now we are planning on releasing a CD and this definitely makes things more complicated. This book has been a godsend. Very informative and USEFUL information. Other music law type books are informative, but haven't been very useful on the level we needed it. You can use what is in this book right away. Its easy to read and understand.

Like all carpenters needing important tools to build a house, this book is the tool for all musicians. It covers all the important music business information and will help cut down unnecessary misfortune for musicians. Definitely a MUST BUY!!!

This book is fantastic! It's absolutely everything that I was looking for. It covers every topic that a band needs to know about running as a business, and the right way to go about it!

I came in not knowing much of anything about the music industry...and after reading this book from cover to cover (its a long book), I can say I learned a lot. The book is very easy to read, with real and made-up examples, and simple language. The author does a great job breaking down the rules of the industry. It does not tell you how to run your operation or how to market a hit record...it just lays out all the rules for you to either follow, break, or bend.

The best chapters were about song ownership, copyrights, publishing, royalties, and taxes. Actually, the taxes chapter was really enlightening. You can tell a lawyer wrote this book from that chapter.

There comes a time in a musician or band's career when they get serious about what they're doing and need to start focusing on legal aspects of their endeavors. This book is and indispensable reference for that situation.

The book is written in easy to understand layman's terms. It covers a fairly broad range of subjects, and provides pointers to other resources for more in depth cover of the covered subjects.

One more notable point about the book is the pre-fabricated contracts and legal forms that it comes with. They seem to be solid, could be useful in a number of situations, and are explained thoroughly.

I purchased this book here because it was MUCH more cheaper than buying it in my college.

I needed it for a class, and it served it's purpose.

My mother did not leave a will. I did not know where or how to begin the process of taking care of her estate. This book provides a wealth of information for persons with wills and without. Even though I did have to end up hiring an attorney, there where no surprises and if I had a question the book generally answered it. Good investment!

When a close relative passed away very unexpectedly, this book helped guide me through all the legal issues. In a very difficult time, it truly helped keep me afloat in a sea of the unknown.

My Mother passed away and we thought all the paperwork was in order and it was not. I got this book from Amazon and it has outlined every detail and possible stituation. I went and got all the forms and and in the middle of probate right now. Very, very well written for a simple probate case and non complicated estates.
If there are people who will contest the will or complicated properties, business deals; most likely, you will need a lawyer and probating yourself will not work. But if it is very clear and simple, you can probabe yourself. Great book, worh every penny spent on it.

This book really helped my wife go through the probate process for her mother's estate. Highly recommended book!

I never knew about this book until recently, when I heard author Gary Magnesen and Melvin Dummar doing an extensive (several hours) radio interview. They both appeared to be very credible guys telling an incredible story. I found myself riveted to the radio until the very end of their appearance, which (I think) was about 2 am! I bought the book later that day.

To my surprise, former FBI Agent Magnesen is a very good writer. Like other readers, I found myself enjoying the book so much, it was hard to put down. Magnesen pieces together a convincing case to support Melvin Dummar's claim about picking up a nearly dead Howard Hughes on a desolate dirt road in the middle of the desert late one winter night. Like the author (and most others), I've always been skeptical about Dummar's dubious story. Magnesen's The Investigation has persuaded me to believe that Dummar's story is most likely true, and that he very possibly saved Howard Hughes' life.

Magnesen also makes a somewhat persuasive, though not compelling, case regarding the authenticity of the so-called "Mormon will". Despite the author's best efforts to authenticate the will, I'm personally not convinced that it was actually written by Howard Hughes. I can certainly understand if other readers come to a different conclusion.

Gary Magnesen does a commendable job uncovering the critical details of this 30 year old cold case. It's a shame that he launched his investigation after so much time had passed, when many of the potential witnesses and nearly all of the physical evidence are lost to history. Still, The Investigation a well written, fascinating story with ample detail to make this a "must read" for anyone interested in the life of Howard Hughes and/or Melvin Dummar. Highly recommended.

This is a fast read, Ive read all the HRH books and this was intresting. I think the author did a fine job. After reading this book I felt that indeed Hughes would have loved the drama that swept the nation, Even in death he is larger then life. The book is a great read and will be surprising....

It took a the span of 24 hours to read this book. Every second I was not working or taking care of a 10 month-old baby I was hiding in a corner with my nose stuck in this book. The author starts as a skeptic, but through brillant research and persistence he uncovers the truth of this long-awaited fiasco. His years of FBI experience really shines through his journey to the untold story. Highly Recomended!

Magnesen is probably a great detective and FBI agent, but he gets a C grade for organization and writing. The book was difficult to follow; as were the characters. One thing that would have helped immensely would have been to put a list of key players and their job/title descriptions at the end so we could refer to the list when the people would be mentioned in later chapters. However, his purpose in writing was not intended as great literature, but to convince readers that Dummar is not a kook. And, he did succeed in doing that because I did put the book down feeling like the "Mormon Will" could be real. Magnesen discovers some very convincing evidence that did not come out in the trial or was not pursued.
If you are intrigued by Howard Hughes, add this book to your list.

The Investigation by Gary Magnesen represents the trifecta of historical research. Magnesen has the rare combination of an FBI career, Nevada residency and a degree in psychology as implements to harvest the truth in regards to the "Mormon Will."

Fragmented by time and lore, the tale of the unlikely Samaritan, Melvin Dummar is cast in the bright white light of a logical and linear review by a skeptic armed with nothing more than his background and compelling logic as arrows in an intellectual quiver.

I followed the suspicion and misgivings associated with the tale of Melvin Dummar associated with the holographic Will penned by the late Aviator, Industrialist and enigma, Howard Hughes. Shadowing Magnesen's process and logic was eased by his descriptive narration of personal doubts and the path required to find a logical end. He was not on a quest, nor does he seem influenced by the story which ultimately led to his involvement. If anything, he was drawn by the mounting inconsistencies and unfinished stories by those directly effected by Mr. Dummar's tale.

I was fascinated by the process which he undertook in this unlikely task to add clarity to a foggy footnote from the past (1976). The mind numbing research of court and county records, with the juxtaposition of interviews including citizens from towns whose glory days have long since passed into modern history added an element of humor, without diminishing the value of those who still reside there.

Each chapter was a building block which reinforced the tale told by Melvin Dummar as more than plausible. In fact, I was totally convinced he was telling the truth.

The teaser associated with this story is the revelations of a pilot employed by Hughes in the sixties. Although his contribution to the book is barely represented by two dozen pages; his story contained the most unanswered questions or inconsistencies of the 263 pages representing Dummar's tale. The following observations are not a condemnation of the man, simply a set of examples which Magnesen held me rapt throughout the story!

1. When Deiro flew into the unpaved, unlighted airport at night, the previous pages referenced a truck illuminating the approach end of the runway. Yet on the night in question the truck was at the far end (in the pilot's eyes) of the runway. Any landing upon a gravel surfaced, unlighted airport at night would be a large risk at best and possibly illegal, at worst.
2. It is written on page 102, "The fact that Daniels (geologist) was having a beer or two in the morning tells us something about him." Yet the pilot (Deiro) having too many Johnny Walker's and needing to take a nap is not questioned in regard to his credibility. Drinking within eight hours prior to a commercial flight is illegal!
3. Upon the pilots return to Las Vegas, since nobody asked; he didn't bother reporting his loss of the passenger he departed with seven hours earlier.


The preceding examples are a reflection of my intrigue and justification for a media (website) to communicate with this author.

This book is at a minimum, a `can't put it down read' combined with intrigue, injustice and surviving principals!

Whether your are an entrepreneur, VC or lawyer, THIS is the book that you must read. It's really everything that you need to navigate the entire startup ecosystem. I've been in the industry for over a decade and I still use it as a reference and encourage both entrepreneurs and lawyers to read alike. I also think it's a great resource for VCs sitting on boards to make sure they are complying with all the latest and greatest regulations.

Includes all important areas of law for the entrepreneur. Was most helpful for our incorporation. Good, short, to-the-point, comparisons of S-corp, C-corp, LLC, partnership, and sole proprietorship. Still covered all issues and is updated to late 2007. This is important because the tax-code changes frequently (last major update was in 2003), and small changes to corporate structure and court pratices happen every year. Better than "Structuring Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Entrepreneurial Transactions." Better than "Starting Your Own Business" by Stephen C. Harper. Better than searching for piecemeal information on websites like news.YCombinator.

Other important areas covered are Contracts & Lease, Operational Liability, and Intellectual Property. I will be using this book heavily for those areas as well.

A book that every entrepreneur should read. Read it before you start the company, it will help you a lot.

This book goes into great detail about all aspects of Business Law. Anyone who currently owns a business or is thinking about opening a business needs to read this book, or at least have it near by as a reference guide.

However, the book is certainly aimed at Corporate USA and those who are looking to start up a BIG business. If you are looking to open or currently own a Small Business, then there are better books on the market that are tailored more to your needs.

This book deserves to be on the shelf of every entrepreneur. The Entrepreneur's Guide to Business Law will take you on a virtual tour of the start-up process, and beyond, from the legal perspective. As experienced entrepreneurs understand, any business is a web of relationships, many of which are detailed in legal documents. This is the case for the relationship (establishment) of the entity with the state, relationships between co-founders, relationships between employees and the company, relationship between the company and its investors, suppliers, customers, etc. The legal foundation for all of these is clearly explained, and this book includes a wealth of practical information that will help any entrepreneur to work more efficiently and effectively with their legal counsel.

Steven K. Gold
Author, Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture

This is an excellent book and anyone who is contemplating starting a non-profit organization will find its information and guidance well worth the investment.

My wife and I helped start a non-profit organization and used this book as guidance for the state incorporation and IRS filings. The non-profit recently received 501(c)(3) approval with public charity status and we believe this book was instrumental in getting this accomplished.

We purchased this book early when thinking through starting the non-profit, so many early decisions were informed by this book's suggestions. For example, the book advises on choosing directors and structuring a NPO to make clear that you are not self-dealing.

This book won't work by itself -- whoever does the paperwork should have a good eye for detail and an ability to write. Don't think that this book makes it so easy that you just need to fill out a few forms with simple entries and you will have IRS approval. My wife's background as a paralegal and her college degree were helpful in getting this done. One of our NPO directors is also a paralegal and provided helpful advice on the final paperwork. Also, your charity should be set up with clearly stated purposes, and you should prepare yourself to address how those fit in with the IRS guidelines.

The book's instruction on getting public charity status is important to read and understand. For our desired IRS category, the book explains the need for a history of donations from many parties and/or the need to prepare a fundraising plan. This was very important advice and prepared us to have the charity structure and plan in place prior to filing.

In summary, this is a very good book that helped our organization to attain IRS public charity status without paying an attorney fees the charity could not afford. If you want to create a 501(c)(3) public charity, your organization needs a clearly charitable purpose that meets IRS standards, a board that doesn't create a climate for self-dealing, and a plan for or history of public fundraising. That, combined with a reader's willingness to follow instructions, to write clearly for the IRS, be detail-oriented, and seek outside proofreading and advice will help you gain approval.

The charity we used this book for is Christ and Cancer, a public charity that provides Christian encouragement and financial grants for families battling cancer and low-cost housing for patients at the Houston Medical Center / MD Anderson Cancer Center. http://www.christandcancer.org/

This book is an outstanding resource. Not only does it contain line-level detailed instructions as to the forms, but it guides you in thinking through your purpose and whether a public charity is right for your organization. As a retired CPA, I can appreciate Mancuso's thoroughness in covering the subject matter.

This book was a little wordy, even for someone who has incorporated a for-profit before. But the information is very consistent, and the forms provided and website references make this a very handy book to start with. Just make sure you want the right kind of 501(c)(3) that this book is written for first (public benefit), or he continually reinforces that this book is not right for you!

I find this really helpful and well written and organized as a book. The CD ROM with the forms are really helpful too (though I found an editing error in one of the forms..but nothing too major...just a spelling mistake (a typing error), that's all). I'm quite ready and less confused now that I have read this book. It also helps me to stop and think more about my organizational plan and such, so that it'll fit with the regulations about incorporation of non profit and the tax exempt status.

As an engineer who is interested in taking the patent bar exam, I needed a reference that would provide the essentials of patent law in a concise format. This book certainly meets that requirement.

Initially I found the text difficult, but the further I read, the more comfortable I became with the legal terms and concepts. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who desires a quick "leg up" into the field of patent law.

I picked up this book to study for the patent bar exam. I've yet to take the exam so I can't say if this book is appropriate study material, but I can say that it is very well written, concise and easy to understand. It gives a detailed introduction into patent law without becoming too convoluted. Although it looks like a law textbook, it's actually quite enjoyable to read. The author provides excellent examples, from actual court cases, to all points of patent law and the patent process. The glossary at the end is very useful for someone without a background in law, like me. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about patent law.

I am a LL.M. Student. Initially I had to prepare my classes with the traditional Case Book. This was frustrating, because sometimes the Tech/Language is difficult to follow. Then, I found this wonderful book. Its very easy to follow, with pretty simple examples. Very well organize. She makes Patents very intuitive. The author first explain everything with A + B Examples, then she enters to more difficult stuff. If you don't have a tech background, this is your book! I think, this book is suitable even for business managers that wants to know about patents. GREAT BOOK!

An excellent book, giving a clear and level-headed picture of the current patent law landscape in the United States. A book on this subject matter could get ridiculous in a hurry, especially for someone unfamiliar with it (which probably applies to most everyone who would read a book with such a title.) The subject matter is organized in a logical fashion, and only segues briefly to more fully explain a particular point, expanding separate issues in separate chapters. I highly recommend.

This book is great for preparing for the patent bar. As a scientist (physics background) wanting to take the patent bar, I found this book clear, logical, and easy to read. I was hesitant on buying it for studying for the patent bar after reading some of the reviews. However, I passed the patent bar on my first attempt using only this book and the bullseye prep review notes.

This book really helped me to identify and deal with a terribly confusing ordeal. I am really happy someone told me about this book and it was available to help me.

It's hard to believe that sexual harassment is a reality in today's workplace. Unfortunately it is and this book is truly insightful and provides a needed safety net of information for those dealing with this difficult subject. Definitely the best I've seen on this subject.

Thank God this book was written! Unfortunately due to confidentiality clauses victims are made to sign, others dealing with similar problems on the job do not have the benefit of their experiences. Thanks to Ms. O'shea and Ms. LaLonde for having the courage to explore this difficult subject.

Having "been there and done that" this book validated all the emotions and choices I made as the victim of sexual harassment. It really tells it like it is. I highly recommend it to anyone who truly wants to understand the ramifications of sexual harassment.

Understanding the sensitivities surrounding the subject of the book, I realize it may seem rather obtuse to "enjoy" reading it.

However, this book is not just about condolence. Rather, it gives us the realization of the prevalent societal truth. Also, the book is not just a mere reference, but true stories based on authors' own experiences.

Authors sketched the very contours of real life in our society, but it's a finely tuned portrait, with deep perspective and understanding, rather than a mere description.

The book is well written and unapologetic in its frankness.....most readers, whether it'd be a man or a woman, should find some relatedness to this book.

This beautifully written book captures every detail of the Cruzan case so that the public has a chance to witness the events unfolding and how Nancy's family is impacted. Used as a course text book, this invaluable tool has taught students the basics of the laws in place regarding end-of-life care, terminology used in end-of-life situations, and the emotional impact of the finality of decisions made as a person nears death.

I have read this book several times and could keep reading it....

Long Goodbye: The Deaths Of Nancy Cruzan by William H. Colby is the in-depth and true story of a judicial trial concerning Nancy Cruzan, a woman who was thrown from her vehicle and suffered horrific injuries. Since that tragic accident, Nancy has remained in a coma for five years, until her family abandoned hope for her revival and requested the removal of Nancy's feeding tube so her life could end peacefully. But the state intervened and denied the family's wishes. Thus began a extended legal battle began over who had the authority and the right to authorize the end of medical intervention with respect to a patient like Nancy. Long Goodbye is a profoundly emotional story of striving to do what one hopes is the right thing, in accordance with the wishes of those who cannot speak for themselves -- and the role of government to intrude into family and medical issues. This is a profoundly important issue that plays out in our hospitals and nursing homes every day. At the crux of the matter is the right to life, the right to die, and who has the final authority over a loved one caught up in a plight similar to Nancy Cruzan and her family.

no matter the side you take in the persistent vegetative state, this book exposes you to the intricate details of life and death matters. William Colby is not only an outstanding lawyer but a great author. the book is detailed with facts and carries you into a world that we dont normally think about or decide to ignore: the world of legal matters concerning death and what happens if this is a personal matter. you'll learn a lot from this book aside from it being an interesting and engaging read!!!!!!!!!

I really am enjoying this book. Although I am reading it as an assignment, I believe I would have read it regardless.

Despite this book being written by the lawyer who represented the parents of Nancy Cruzan who wanted feeding apparatus to be withdrawn and thus to have Nancy die, this book presents the issues and the struggle fairly and even-handedly. This is shown in a way since after reading it I conclude the U.S Supreme Court's decision was right--in the circumstances shown the family could without monetary loss have permitted their child to not be starved to death. The account of the trial and of the appellate history of the case is absorbing and shows the author is an able lawyer, admirable in representing his clients. I have no hesitancy in saying if it had been my child I would not have gone to the efforts which Nancy's father went to in order to have his child die. But psychologically Nancy's parents wanted the living death to end and their lawyer was right to seek the relief his clients desired. An extraordinary book.