The Essential Words and Writings of Clarence Darrow

by Darrow, Clarence; Larson, Edward J.

• ISBN13: 9780812966770
• ISBN10: 0812966775
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-12
• Publisher: Modern Library

Summary

The celebrated American lawyer Clarence Darrow was renowned for his spirited, ruthlessly logical defense of populist causes and controversial ideas. Even today, Darrow's words continue to frame public discussion about our civil liberties and our religious and civic life. In this timely volume, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward J. Larson and ethicist Jack Marshall assemble a broad and rich collection of the iconic lawyer's words and writingsopening statements, trial arguments, lecturesaccompanied by excerpts from his memoir and annotated with expert commentary. These selections showcase the mesmerizing power of Darrow's passions and ideals, which have lost none of their impact or immediacy with the passage of time.

Author Biography

Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) had one of the most influential legal careers in American history. He is renowned for his landmark defenses in the 1924 Leopold/Loeb thrill-killing case and the so-called Scopes monkey trial of 1925, where the debate over evolution first surged to national attention. He was notable as a friend to the underdog, a leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and a distinguished speaker on agnosticism, liberalism, and free thought.


Edward J. Larson is Russell Professor of American History and Talmadge Chair of Law at the University of Georgia. He is the author of six books, including Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory, published by Modern Library, and Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion, for which he won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History.

Jack Marshall is an adjunct professor of legal ethics at American University and the president and founder of ProEthics, Ltd., which conducts ethics seminars across the country. His articles and commentary have appeared in The Federal Lawyer, Everyday Law, Trial, and The Weekly Standard.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xi
Lectures, Speeches, and Addresses
Introduction: From The Story of My Life	p. 3
Main Selection: "Crime and Criminals"	p. 6
Supplementary Selections: "Why I Am an Agnostic"	p. 18
"The Right of Revolution"	p. 21
"The Problem of the Negro"	p. 24
Opening Statements and Trial Arguments
Introduction: From The Story of My Life	p. 29
Main Selection: From Tennessee v. Scopes	p. 31
Supplementary Selection: From Idaho v. Haywood	p. 50
Articles and Essays
Introduction: From The Story of My Life	p. 62
Main Selection: "The Myth of the Soul"	p. 63
Supplementary Selections: "How to Pick a Jury"	p. 75
"Absurdities of the Bible"	p. 84
Debates
Introduction: From The Story of My Life	p. 89
Main Selection: "Are We Machines?"	p. 91
Supplementary Selections: "Is Life Worth Living?"	p. 103
"Is the Human Race Permanently Progressing Toward a Better Civilization?"	p. 111
Witness Examinations
Introduction: From The Story of My Life	p. 120
Main Selection: Bryan Examination from Tennessee v. Scopes	p. 122
Supplementary Selections: Aller Examination from Idaho v. Haywood	p. 131
Schuknecht Examination from Michigan v. Sweet	p. 139
Morgan Examination from Tennessee v. Scopes	p. 148
Voir Dire from Idaho v. Haywood	p. 154
Examination of Expert Witnesses from Hawaii v. Fortescue	p. 156
Fiction
Introduction: From "Realism in Literature and Art"	p. 161
Main Selection: "The Breaker Boy"	p. 164
Supplementary Selections: "Little Louis Epstine"	p. 172
Rules of Conduct" from Farmington	p. 180
Biographical Writings and Speeches
Introduction: From Darrow's Reflections on His Sixty-first Birthday	p. 183
Main Selection: Voltaire	p. 185
Supplementary Selection: John Brown	p. 204
Closing Arguments
Introduction: From The Story of My Life	p. 213
Main Selection: From Michigan v. Sweet	p. 214
Supplementary Selections: From Idaho v. Haywood	p. 230
From Illinois v. Leopold and Loeb	p. 235
From Hawaii v. Fortescue	p. 240
Acknowledgments	p. 247
Biographical Timeline	p. 249
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 253
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