Without a Doubt: Book Review: Marcia Clark and the Trial of the Century

Full Disclosure:

Yesterday

I was 23 years old on the night of June 12, 1994.  Young, impressionable, and always wanting to believe the best in everyone, I fought both myself and everyone else believing OJ had to be innocent for months, until the 9-1-1 call appeared and I could hear the reality of Nicole Brown's life.   I remember turning in, night after night, after night, watching the trial endlessly.  I remember believing it would never end (and really, has it ever?) I remember not understanding domestic violence or why anyone would stay.   I remember conversations about the wonky parking of the Bronco, the (stupid) Bronco chase, and the impossible to believe behavior of the Brown family both before and after Nicole's murder. Then there was Kato, the dog and the house guest.   I remember Ron Goldman's sister Kim, crying at the verdict and feeling terrible for her pain.

Today
Flash forward 21-22 years and we have The People Vs OJ Simpson on FX taking us back in time to the insanity that was the OJ Simpson trial.    I started watching the series fully prepared to switch it off after 10 minutes and found myself transfixed.  I suddenly remembered how much I liked Marcia Clark and Chris Darden and how much I did not like Judge Ito and OJ Simpson.

This brings me to this book; Without A Doubt by Marcia Clark.   To be fair, it isn't a new book.  In fact, I was so worn out hearing about OJ Simpson after the trial and so disheartened by the verdict itself that I had no desire to read any book by anyone associated with the trial.  

More than that, I hold OJ Simpson and Robert Shapiro personally responsible for the Kardashian takeover of America's senses.  Follow me for a moment.   If OJ had not committed a double murder, nobody would have ever heard of Robert Kardashian and if Robert Shapiro had not worked with Kardashian he would not have helped Kim get her 'own shoe line' so in a way, it is OJ Simpson's fault we are stuck with Kim and Kanye.   Thanks a heck of a lot OJ, murder was the worst thing you ever did but you have been punishing America for years.

Okay, the book.   So after not thinking about the whole thing for 20 years or so, the TV show started me remembering the time and I suddenly felt like I needed to read the books by Clark and Darden.   Marcia's book is on Kindle but Chris' isn't so I am going to have to go find a copy somewhere of his to read it.

A few things about this book, which I am not going to even waste posting a summary of, it's about the trial, Marcia Clark, Chris Darden, and how their lives were forever effected by the events of June 12, 1994.

The book is a fascinating look at the personal experience of the lead prosecutor for the City of Los Angeles.  There is some limited personal information about Marcia Clark and the things she experienced before the trial and her personal struggles during the trial.  It is amazing to see not only how much this case effected Clark but also to realize that pretty much nobody that was personally connected to this trial was ever the same.  (Perhaps the exception is that weak, push over of a judge, Lance Ito.)  The book takes you behind the doors of the People's case.  You see why some evidence was left out, some was forced out, and some shouldn't have been allowed into admittance (by the defense) in the first place.   You learn a lot about Clark's feelings leading up to the final summation of the case and you get a little insight into the defense thoughts based on comments they made to Clark.

This book made me wish a couple of things, first that I had gone to law school and second, that I had read this book in 1996 when it came out so I could reasonably still go to law school.  It isn't that Clark makes you feel like the job of a A.D.A. is glamorous, it is simply that, for me, I realized there is nothing I would like to do more than put away criminals who do not deserve to be included in general society.  

I am going to be honest, I loved this book.  My admiration for Marcia Clark is tremendous and her honest recounting of the trial and the realities of trying the case at a difficult time in the history of Los Angeles helps put the case in perspective.  

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Book Review: The Atlantis Origin Mystery Trilogy

The Atlantis Gene: (from Amazon)

The Immari are good at keeping secrets. For 2,000 years, they've hidden the truth about human evolution. They've also searched for an ancient enemy--a threat that could wipe out the human race. Now the search is over.

Off the coast of Antarctica, a research vessel discovers a mysterious structure buried deep in an iceberg. It has been there for thousands of years, and something is guarding it. As the Immari rush to execute their plan, a brilliant geneticist makes a discovery that could change everything.

Dr. Kate Warner moved to Jakarta, Indonesia to escape her past. She hasn't recovered from what happened to her, but she has made an incredible breakthrough: a cure for autism. Or so she thinks. What she has found is far more dangerous--for her and the entire human race. Her work could be the key to the next stage of human evolution. In the hands of the Immari, it would mean the end of humanity as we know it.

Agent David Vale has spent ten years trying to stop the Immari. Now he's out of time. His informant is dead. His organization has been infiltrated. His enemy is hunting him. But when David receives a coded message related to the Immari attack, he risks everything to save the one person that can help him solve it: Dr. Kate Warner.

Together, Kate and David must race to unravel a global conspiracy and learn the truth about the Atlantis Gene... and human origins. Their journey takes them to the far corners of the globe and into the secrets of their pasts. The Immari are close on their heels and will stop at nothing to obtain Kate's research and force the next stage of human evolution--even if it means killing 99.9% of the world's population. David and Kate can stop them... if they can trust each other. And stay alive.

(I am not including the other two synopsis here because you have to start with the first and follow the story in order.) 

First, let me say, I normally read mystery, crime, and true crime books.  Also, I am way behind on doing any sort of book reviews.    So look for a few books to show up soon including a couple of series and a few true crime books.   With that in mind, I thought I would share the Atlantis Origin Mystery Trilogy.  

My take:

What I enjoyed most about this series is that it mixed history, science, and mystery together and combined a couple of main characters, Kate and David, who you follow throughout the series.   The Series starts with The Atlantis Gene and concludes with The Atlantis World and in between you ride along through a bunch of twists and turns that leave you simultaneously scratching your head, wanting throw the book (or Kindle in my case) at the wall because the bad guys (the Immari) in this series are so unlikable, and yet you just can't stop reading.  

The story starts when we find out that human history was given a little kick in the pants several thousand years ago, just at the brink of our extinction, when a little gene therapy saved us and  helped us advance.  Of course this little kick came from your friendly aliens.   Throughout the series, we follow Kate and David in their race to save the human race and Earth from themselves and some not no nice aliens.    

Now let me say that without giving away anything in this series, the main characters Kate and David, are both likable and cute.  Kate is a doctor specializing in Autism and reversing the effects and David is your average super hero/secret agent.     As you follow Kate and David through this series and their natural attraction to each other, of course, they fall in love, and I don't think I am giving anything away here, because that move is pretty obvious from about 5 chapters in to the first book.   Anyway, it is an intergalactic roller coaster that can only end in one of two ways, we survive or we become extinct.    

The first two books follow a single fight here on our world but by the third book the series crosses the universe and back in the effort to save little old us.   It is a fun ride! 

Just the facts:

The books are easy to read even with all the science mumbo jumbo mixed in.  Actually, I didn't mind that and was able to follow.    The history facts that are woven into the story are fascinating and made me actually look up some of the true life facts thrown at you.  Full Disclosure: I love history so I may or may not have downloaded a book on Proto-Indo Europeans.  I know, I know, I am a history nerd.    Between the three books you meet a large cast of characters and by the third book you may have a hard time remembering who was who in the first book.   There were a few things that I kept wanting resolved from the first book that just seemed forgotten but don't give up, you will get your answers, eventually.   

I enjoyed this series and recommend it to anyone who likes Science Fiction and Mystery books.   It crosses back and forth between those with a little Romance thrown in.   

Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito and Meredith Kercher

update:  all blog comments will be removed that are deemed a personal attack.  There is no freedom of the press in blog land.  You are welcome to your opinion but not welcome to attack me for expressing mine. 

I have never done book reviews before so I thought, why not start with two books on the same subject which may get me in trouble? 

Let me explain.   A few weeks ago I decided to read Amanda Knox story.  I tweeted a simple tweet or three on what I was reading: 

Sorry about the language! 

I was shocked at the harassing and down right nasty tweets I got, leading me to have to block people.  Apparently, you aren't allowed to have opinions on this case unless you believe the way people want you to?! 

First you should know that when I went into both these books I knew very little about the case.  That's not true now.  Not satisfied to take Amanda's version or Raffaele's for that matter, I googled, I read, I looked at photos, I listened to podcasts and I have become convinced that neither one of these young people were anything more than victims of circumstances and a inept police force and somewhat crazy prosecutor. 

But enough of that.  I read Amanda's book first, okay actually I listened to it on audible.com and then listened to Rafaelle's.  What I found most interesting was how completely they back each other up. They have the same memories and the same experiences of what happened.  Almost like, they are telling the truth. They talk about why they behaved the way they did, things that caused much criticism.  They both talk about how their language barriers, she spoke very little Italian at the time and he spoke little English, lead to confused translations.  There are simple explaination a for the things they did and said. For the record, let me stress,  if the best evidence you have in a homicide is that a girl kissed a boy a few hours after finding her roommates body and she may have done a cartwheel after waiting for your boyfriend and then being stuck in police interrogations for hours (she is a yoga fan, BTW) well lock me up too.  I would definitely kiss my husband and want to be comforted and, gasp, held.  Especially, by the way, if my family were an ocean away and I was in a foreign country where I could barely speak the language.   (A fact that nobody who believes she is guilty seems to remember when they start taking about the confession she signed in formal Italian which she couldn't have actually written or read.) Her quirky behavior, didn't actually seem all that strange to me knowing she was only 20 and from Seattle.  People from Seattle are a little quirky, don't you think?   I could go on and on about this case and why I don't think they are guilty, but I won't.  

As far as the books are concerned "Honor Bound" was my favorite.  It's very easy to like this young man when he starts explaining why he did the things he did in the days, weeks, months, and years since that tragic November day in 2007.  He was standing by Amanda because he cared and because he wasn't going to lie to get out of prison. They had only known each other for about 10 days when this happened and yet they remain friends to this day, bound by tragedy. 

"Waiting to be Heard" is actually read by Amanda and while the recitation itself seems a little flat, I'm not sure if I had had every single move I made analyzed and second guessed for the last 7 years, if I wouldn't want to try and shield my emotions also.  When you listen to what she went through, it's hard not to come away appalled and yet, appreciative of the justice system in the USA.  I have put my 20-21 year old self in her shoes and I could honestly say, I am not sure I would have been much different.  I certainly would have cried about Meredith's death and Amanda did, just not around reporters.   This book, like the other, is a fast read and engrossing. 

Both books are easy "reads" and completely scary.  What I walked away thinking is "I never want to visit Italy."   This is sad actually considering I have always wanted to visit Rome, Tuscany, and Assissi, which happens to be next to Perugia. 

I should warn you I am in the middle of a 3rd book on this trial and have another I will read when I can.  What I can say is that I understand how obsessive this case can be to those watching but the sad part, the part I can't seem to shake is that Meredith, the victim has become lost.  Rudy Guede, the only person who's DNA was actually found in the room where Meredith was killed is about to walk free.  Amanda and Raffaele lost years of their lives and stand to lose more because of the crazy Italian "justice" system.  People have gotten so wrapped up at taking sides that they attack each other on Twitter, Blogs, and other forms of Social Media. Sadly, all of this should have been avoided, could have been avoided, had the police work been done well. Mostly, I am sad that it looks like Meredith will never truly have justice and Amanda and Raffaele may never find peace. 

Should you read these books?  Yes!

As Americans I think it is important to understand this case.  As a step-parent and aunt I think it is vital to know what you should worry about before sending your kids to another country.  

Finally, I keep hearing that phrase in my head, you know the saying "The simplest explanation is probably the truth."   What is more simple?  A known criminal with a history of breaking in to others places by throwing a rock through the window, surprised when Meredith came home early, killed her, or Meredith's roommate and her boyfriend of a week teamed up with a guy neither had met more than once, in a ritualistic sex game and killed Meredith when the game got too real?  Justice for Meredith does not include wrongly convicted people spending time in prison.  Respecting Meredith does not include allowing innocent people to be railroaded by a crazy prosecutor and a unfair legal system.

Note on Blog Comments:  if you are going to tell me she was convicted save it.  50% of Italian initial convictions are overturned.  It means nothing.  I pray the judge who hears this case in March looks at the evidence.  Anyone who does can see there is none.