Some people are born musicians, some are born to fly, but Floyd Abrams was a born litigator.  His destiny was to be found in one long sentence, which we, as Americans, should be very familiar with.

 

Specializing in First Amendment issues, specifically the freedom of speech and press, current partner in Cahill, Gordon & Reindel Abrams has given us the story of his life of litigation in SPEAKING FREELY: Trials of the First Amendment.  A total professional, a man of determination and talent (even when faced with personal rejection) he gives us an electrifying look at our country and ourselves in nine eye opening chapters in his book.

In The Pentagon Papers Case, a "pure First Amendment challenge," we see a young Abrams step up to the plate to represent the New York Times against the Nixon administration.  It was here he became "hooked" on the First Amendment.  Now the ball was rolling ....  Was NBC going to be held liable to Wayne Newton for insinuating he was a liar and had mob connections?  Newsday uncovered the trail of heroin from Turkey to the "veins of Long Island kids," but were they mistaken in pegging Karaduman as a trafficker?  Was Rudolph Giuliani that cool, calm collected individual we all know and love or well  known bully who threatened to destroy the Brooklyn Museum over a well placed clump bit of elephant dung? If a career can be made of such things based on the premise of freedom of the press and speech, the author can and does do it.

I found this book to be sobering, yet amusing at times.  At first glance my impression was that this book would be as interesting as dry toast, but I was pleasantly surprised and riveted by the cases Abrams defended and wrote about.  The Dixie Chicks are sometimes lauded as the "goddesses of free speech," yet, dear reader,  because of people like Floyd Abrams and others they continue to have the right to "speak freely", whether we like what they say or not.