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John Edwards
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Four Trials Hardcover – January 1, 2010

by John Reid Edwards (Author), John Auchard (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 61 ratings
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Raised in a small town by parents employed in the local mills, John Edwards worked in those mills himself — and then went on to become one of America's most successful and respected attorneys. He built a national reputation representing people whose lives had been shattered by corporate recklessness and grievous medical negligence. In landmark cases, Edwards helped people from all walks of life stand up for themselves against tremendous odds. Four Trials provides an electrifying account of four of his cases as it tells the story of the courageous and unmistakably decent people Edwards was privileged to represent in times of tragedy, great loss, and often great joy. And in a deeply moving account, Four Trials also speaks of the tragedies and joys that Senator Edwards has known in his own life — and how today life and justice are more precious to him than ever.


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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Publisher
    Unknown
  3. Publication date
    January 1, 2010
  4. ISBN-10
    1616844825
  5. ISBN-13
    978-1616844820
  6. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Unknown (January 1, 2010)
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1616844825
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1616844820
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

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John Edwards

John Edwards

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
61 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

S.E. Brizendine
5.0 out of 5 stars John Edwards:
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2007
Verified Purchase
In an attempt to learn information about 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate, John Edwards, I bought a few books. Four Trials exceeded my expectations, and I would recommend this book very highly. It's more than just details about four trials. John included details about his life that allows the reader to begin to understand how his determination and intelligence combine to give way to a successful life and career.

More than once my eyes swelled up to hold back the emotion that this book stirred within my heart. John not opens the door to some of the private details of his life, but he opens his heart in the telling. My mind matches that comforting southern accent of his with the clear, slow and to the point tone of his voice to the words that I was reading off the page. He is a friend of the American people.

One trial of a once little girl, Jennifer Campbell, that John defended hit home for me. In 1979 her mother, in a North Carolina hospital, was forced to deliver vaginally as opposed to Cesarean due to negligence and malpractice. It left the baby and her family with cerebral palsy. I never knew how fortunate that I and my family were until I read this book. I was a 1962 baby, born of a Cesarean birth in an Indiana hospital. My Mom and I were sitting at a restaurant eating barbecue wings about a month ago. She became overwhelmed with joy and appreciation as she agreed how lucky we were to be cared for by a 72 year old doctor who was progressive enough to give me a chance for a life without any birth defects.

The trials in this book aren't just about John's clients or their families, they include John and his family's own personal trials that he has allowed to become public knowledge, and that makes the book even more compelling. Once you pick it up, you probably won't want to put it down.
One person found this helpful
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4.0 out of 5 stars A Portrayal of an Human Attorney
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2007
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Four Trials is an excellent read by John Edwards relaying the integrity he had during this facet of his professional life. I enjoyed reading his candor about his life, (including his life history), his education, his entry and work as an attorney and the profile of several important cases which he handled.

I was impressed by Edwards' integrity and the sincerity with which he represented his clients as portrayed in this book. There were some places in the book where, I felt, that Edwards uses the book as a means to somewhat over-explain parts of his life.

Overall, this is a good book to gain a sense of what the 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential candidate / 2008 Presidential candidate is really all about. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of the breadth of this man.

**addendum 10-23-08 I am not so sure that Edwards is an honest man after his 2008 admission of his infidelity while campaigning for the 2008 Presidential primary. I was truly duped by him; especially after reading this book. I guess men are after all just men. They just let that little head do the thinkin' too often.
6 people found this helpful
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Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars Trial lawyer as hero? You bet!
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2004
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This book just might change your opinion of lawyers forever. Edwards dispels the pervasive cultural prejudice against lawyers by telling four compelling true stories of tragedy and justice. These are stories of people whose lives were ruined by circumstances beyond their control. The law could never give back to them what they had lost. What it could do, with the help of one compassionate lawyer named John Edwards, was to help minimize the negative impact their tragedies would have on the rest of their lives.
Four Trials is moving and poignant. It is also no less than a restorative tonic for one's faith in the American system of justice.
John Edwards' character, his love for people, and his great respect for the law shine through in the book. Reading it impressed me so much with his integrity and compassion that I now have a new hero and a new dream for this country: to make this man President some day.
9 people found this helpful
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Kenneth Young
2.0 out of 5 stars Saint Edwards?
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2004
That's how my partner referred to John Edwards, sarcasm apparent in her voice, after reading this book. This is very much a character piece, designed to give a feel for Edwards as a person, rather than Edwards as a candidate. Short on policy, longer on "I care about justice for the people working to get by."
Unless you're already an Edwards fan and want to learn more about your idol, or have an interest in product liability and medical malpractice civil suits, pass on this one.
8 people found this helpful
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TB
1.0 out of 5 stars Rated 1 star because 0 stars weren't available
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2008
Verified Purchase
I contributed to his campaign in 2004 and received this book included with my contribution. I hate this book!

He glorifies how he sued Doctors out of the water.

I know many doctors that do as much as they can to help people and lawyers like Edwards are a reason some doctors(who are a little guy on their own) have gone to hell.

Let's do some math!

Let's say a Surgeon makes $450,000/year
Uncle Sam takes about half which is $225,000

A doctor who just lost a malpractice suit, such as a surgeon, will look to pay $150 to $200,000 per year on malpractice insurance. ($225,000 minus $200,000 = $25,000)

Wow! Many people make more than some surgeons! Thanks to Edwards-like lawyers.
One person found this helpful
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J. W. Lucas
5.0 out of 5 stars pristine legal work
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2011
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Four Trials presents four landmark legal cases in the state of NC. The discussion incorporates Mr Edwards personal insights, convictions at the time and interweaves some of his personal life experiences occurring during the trial work. The cases are presented unbiasedly with regards to the merit of the law suites with sufficient background information, discovery detail and at trail transcript. Reading this book gave perspicuity to the resultant legislative reform benefits. Highly recommend this read for understanding legal precedence and an appreciation for the merit of justified suits.
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Top reviews from other countries

LaChatte
5.0 out of 5 stars Handsome man inside and out
Reviewed in Japan on February 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
I've been curious about Mr. Edwards since he resumed his original profession -- a lawyer standing up for victims of medical malpractice or corporate negligence.

This book vividly depicts his dedicated representation for his clients and how hard he persevered and won challenging cases, while chronicling his personal life, in particular his deep love for his late son Wade.

This is such an engaging book that I simply could not stop reading. As co-author, Professor of English at the University of Maryland John Auchard did a terrific job on the overall organization and compelling storytelling.

Mr. Edwards is incredibly handsome inside and out, and it is good to know he is back in his wonderful calling after the infidelity scandal.
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Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2013
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This book was a very great book. You were able to make a connection with the story in many ways. I onestly couldn't even put this book down until I was like half way through. This book was worth it.
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