Trial Advocacy
The book is well written. Every lawyer has their own style, so several of the "techniques" recommended in the book are criticized by practicing attorneys. The chapters are pretty broad, I believe the entire book is less than 10 chapters: picking a jury, opening statement, direct, cross, exhibits, closing statement, expert witnesses. The information is accurate but this book is not a how to.
How to Stumble Through Your First Trial Without Embarrassing Yourself
This book is absolutely fantastic. It's almost like a "Trials for Dummies" book for young attorneys and law students. Mauet's writing is easy to read and his advice is easy to follow. He provides examples that really drive home his points. This book should be assigned reading for every trial advocacy class. It was not assigned for my class but an attorney recommeded it to me and I found it invaluable. If you have a trial competition coming up, or are simply in over your head as a young attorney, reach for this lifeline ASAP!
A classic, but there are better books on trial techniques out there
Mauet's book has been around for a long time and it's beginning to show its age. The new edition sticks with the same format and doesn't add much new material. It offers solid advice that hardly anyone would disagree with, but in fact that's one of its flaws: it just doesn't push the envelope. For example, it tries to teach trial skills by looking only at hypothetical situations and fictional characters. Why use fiction when real life is so much more interesting and instructive? Why not use real court cases and learn from the mistakes and successes of lawyers we all know about?
My favorite trial techniques book right now is Winning at Trial, written by a current US Attorney (D. Shane Read). The author not only knows what he's talking about (you get the same solid advice as with Mauet), but the book also comes with two DVDs with over 4 hours of video from televised trials (including the O.J. trial), as well as numerous transcripts from actual trials. For students, your professor is probably going to stick with whatever text they're currently using, but I would recommend Read's book as a complement to give you a better idea of what really good (and not so good) trial attorneys do in actual trials.
Too long for delivery.
The product in itself is fine. However, It took almost a month for me to receive the book. When in the purchase reciept it said it would arrive within 7 to 10 business days. I bought other books through Amazon from private owners and I received those books 2 days after my purchase and I was still waiting for the book I ordered through amazon. I would think that Amazon would be more speedy with purchases.
Good, but look at Common Sense Rules of Advocacy by Evans
Mauet's book is very good, but Keith Evans' book, Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers, IS FOR THE ADVOCATE AND NOT THE LITIGATOR.Keith Evans practiced as a trial lawyer in California and as a barrister in England. In addition to law school teaching, Mr. Evans also made numerous presentations to different American Inns of Court.
Evans book is now published by TheCapitol.Net, and more information about this classic of trial advocacy can be found on their web site: thecapitol.net
Best bet is to buy Mauet's book and also the Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers by Keith Evans.
