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What makes Johnnie Cochran tick?A LAWYER'S LIFEBy Johnnie Cochran with David Fisher Nonfiction St. Martin's Press, $25.95Although A Lawyer’s Life” is remarkably lacking in introspection, it’s still revealing about Johnnie Cochran’s particular place in our culture. Known best for clearing O.J. Simpson of murder charges, Mr. Cochran is nearly as noted for his successful defense of Sean Puffy” Combs in a gun-possession case, and for defending Abner Louima and Rodney King. He’s an incredibly successful lawyer whom critics accuse of playing the race card, a charge he takes pains to discuss here, though not dismiss.After more than 40 years as a lawyer, Mr. Cochran suggests he’s done with the razzle-dazzle and has his sights on higher ground. Among his recent causes: reparations forAmerican slavery, unjust convictions” he’d like reversed, and, in general, serving as a legal and social gadfly.“A Lawyer’s Life” tracks Mr. Cochran from his early days in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office to his current status as the dean of black lawyers. While many paint him black and black only, he represented both Rodney King, the black man beaten by white Los Angeles police officers in 1991, and Reginald Denny, a white truck driver who was pulled from his truck and beaten by blacks after riots erupted in Los Angeles following the acquittal of the police alleged to have beaten up Mr. King.Mr. Cochran drives a Rolls, has more money than he knowsBOOKSHELFNoteworthy Readingwhat to do with, and can pick his clients and causes. Although his book is all about career and short on family and character, tracking the development of Mr. Cochran’s personality as well as his professional life is engrossing.Knight Ridder NewsWAR TORN: STORIES OF WAR FROM THE WOMEN REPORTERS WHO COVERED VIETNAMBy Tad Bartimus, Denby Fawcett, Jurate Kazickas, Edith Lederer, Ann Bryan Mariano, Anne Morrissy Merick, Laura Palmer, Kate Webb and Tracy Wood Nonfiction Random House, $24.95From bomb-riddled Baghdad and Tora Bora to harrowing jungle ambushes in Africa’s Sierra Leone and the former Zaire, war reporting has come to represent the height of testosterone-driven, male journalism, replete with bravado and machismo.Except for a few prominent female journalists, including CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Ashleigh Banfield of MSNBC and the Associated Press’ Kathy Gannon, conflict reporting remains dominated by men.But War Torn” — a collection of nine essays by women journalists who covered the Vietnam War — offers compelling reasons why the news industry ought to encourage conflict reporting from both genders.“Vietnam returns to me in snapshots,” writes Tad Bartimus, who covered the war for AP.And snapshots, be they tragic, offbeat, humorous, sad or compelling, are what War Torn” offers the reader.From the daily five o’clock follies military briefings to the siege of Khe Sanh and drinks on the rooftop of Saigon’s Caravelle Hotel, these reporters prevailed beyond the usual rigors of daily journalism — gruff editors, demanding deadlines and cutthroat industry competition.Where the essays of WarTorn” shine is in their insight into what military analysts and consultants now call the collateral damage of war — maimed civilian victims, emaciated refugees and orphans.Associated PressIS YOUR MEDICARE + CHOICE OR HMO BEING CANCELLED?We can help you find the MOST affordable Medicare Supplement Policy In Maryland! Plans Include the following features:• Choose your own doctors -no network to stay within!• Automatic claims filing available at no cost• Free prescription discount drug card available at no extra costCall Keith Murray410-280-1801MURRAY INSURANCEand Finance. Inc.Serving Seniors For Over 25 Years0810706
Newspaper Details
Annapolis Sunday Capital
Annapolis, Maryland, US
Sun, Dec 08, 2002
Page 51
Full Page
Clipped by
Canon C.
USA 20 Feb 2025
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