29 ratings | 28 reviews | avg rating:4.38

more photos (1)

William's Bookshelves

read (28)
currently-reading (0)
to-read (0)

William’s Friends (1,419)

Michele Piccini

32,128 books | 2,941 friends

Robin Mizell

245 books | 102 friends

Brendan Koerner

423 books | 202 friends

Addie

473 books | 238 friends

Graceface

29 books | 93 friends

Arlena

2,287 books | 1,271 friends

Abby Matisse

114 books | 170 friends

Lori

92 books | 217 friends

More friends…

William is following 2 people

William Bernhardt

Goodreads author profile

url

http://www.goodreads.com/willbern

born

The United States

gender

male

website

http://www.williambernhardt.com

genre

Thriller, Nonfiction

member since

November 2008

About this author

edit data

William loves his job and it shows in his writing. Library Journal has called him the "master of the courtroom drama;" his books have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. The Vancouver Sun dubbed him "the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer." His novel Dark Eye was a psychological thriller that, in the words of bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, "will chill you while its two unique and endearing protagonists steal your heart." Bernhardt's novels are renowned for their unexpected twists, breathless pace, humor, and insightful consideration of issues confronting contemporary American society. He is also the author of The Code of Buddyhood, a coming-of-age novel described by The West Coast Review of Books as "a pow...more William loves his job and it shows in his writing. Library Journal has called him the "master of the courtroom drama;" his books have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. The Vancouver Sun dubbed him "the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer." His novel Dark Eye was a psychological thriller that, in the words of bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, "will chill you while its two unique and endearing protagonists steal your heart." Bernhardt's novels are renowned for their unexpected twists, breathless pace, humor, and insightful consideration of issues confronting contemporary American society. He is also the author of The Code of Buddyhood, a coming-of-age novel described by The West Coast Review of Books as "a powerful and sophisticated novel about the nature of friendship," a holiday novel, The Midnight Before Christmas, a biography for young adults, Equal Justice: The Courage of Ada Sipuel, a children's book, Princess Alice and the Dreadful Dragon, and has edited an anthology of original short stories (Legal Briefs) and a multi-author fundraising novel for The Nature Conservancy (Natural Suspect). And as if that weren't enough, he is also an often-published poet and a member of the Academy of American Poets.

Bernhardt's career is the product of a lifelong love affair with books. When he was seven years old, he told people he wanted to be a writer. He got his first rejection letter when he was eleven (and several thereafter). He was an English major in college, and after a break for a legal career, returned to college for a Masters Degree in English literature. The studying seems to have paid off. Bernhardt's books have been translated and published in more than two dozen countries. He has twice won the Oklahoma Book Award for Best Fiction, in 1995 and 1999, and in 1998 he received the Southern Writers Guild's Gold Medal Award. In 2000, he was honored with the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award, which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." That same year, he was presented with a Career Achievement Award at the 2000 Booklovers Convention in Houston. He has also been inducted into the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame, the youngest author ever so honored.

In addition to his work as a writer, Bernhardt is also a popular teacher and publisher. In 1999, he founded Babylon Books (formerly HAWK). Throughout the year, Bernhardt teaches writing and literature to fortunate students who invariably remark on his passion, knowledge, and expertise. His Red Sneakers Writers Center hosts conferences, seminars, and a series of books designed to provide useful writing instruction.
(less)

combine editions
William Bernhardt's Books

Average rating: 3.74 · 5,696 ratings · 556 reviews · 37 distinct works · Similar authors

	Primary Justice 3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 avg rating — 383 ratings — published 1991 — 12 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Perfect Justice 3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 avg rating — 314 ratings — published 1994 — 8 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Blind Justice: A Novel of Suspense 3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 avg rating — 283 ratings — published 1992 — 10 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Naked Justice 4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 avg rating — 262 ratings — published 1997 — 6 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Capitol Murder: A Novel 3.74 of 5 stars 3.74 avg rating — 280 ratings — published 2006 — 10 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Cruel Justice 3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 avg rating — 268 ratings — published 1996 — 9 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Criminal Intent 3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 avg rating — 248 ratings — published 2002 — 11 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Capitol Conspiracy 3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 avg rating — 352 ratings — published 2008 — 18 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Murder One 3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 avg rating — 230 ratings — published 2012 — 5 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Hate Crime 3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 avg rating — 243 ratings — published 2004 — 10 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by William Bernhardt…

Series by William Bernhardt

Ben Kincaid (16 books)
by William Bernhardt (Goodreads Author)
3.8155577299412915 of 5 stars 3.82 avg rating — 4,088 ratings

Susan Pulaski (2 books)
by William Bernhardt (Goodreads Author)
3.588516746411483 of 5 stars 3.59 avg rating — 418 ratings

Eliot Ness Mystery (1 book)
by William Bernhardt (Goodreads Author)
3.5374149659863945 of 5 stars 3.54 avg rating — 147 ratings

Upcoming Events

No scheduled events. Add an event.

rss
William's Recent Updates

William is now friends with Glo Ward
May 23, 2013 10:16pm · like
William rated a book 4 of 5 stars Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I've been trying to educate myself on YA fiction and my daughter recommended this one. I can see why. The idea of a society divided into five groups probably made many readers think of the cliques that divide high schools. A more apt political metaph...more
May 06, 2013 05:07am · see review
William made a comment in the group Young People Writing — Story Structure topic "I've written a book on Story Structure. If you're writing but don't have an understanding of the basics, this could be exactly what you need. If you'l...more "
Apr 28, 2013 07:46am
William joined the group Young People Writing
Apr 28, 2013 07:44am · like
William rated a book 5 of 5 stars The Ophelia Cut (Dismas Hardy Mystery, #14) by John Lescroart (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Bottom line: John Lescroart is the best of us. I'd call him the best lawyer-writer, but he isn't even a lawyer (he just plays one on tv) so let's just call him the best. I love the way this man writes. If you haven't read one of his books, do yoursel...more
Apr 28, 2013 07:00am · see review
William rated a book 4 of 5 stars Angelology (Angelology, #1) by Danielle Trussoni	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I found this a clever and engaging fantasy novel set in a world in which fallen angels and their descendants still walk the earth...and aren't terribly fond of humanity. What I particularly enjoyed was the faux-scholarly approach, with angel academic...more
Apr 28, 2013 06:59am · see review
William rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Dinner by Herman Koch read in March, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Every now and again I like to read the latest hyped book in publishing to see what the fuss is about. I pleased to report that in this case, it's about extremely well crafted, highly readable prose, and given that this book has been translated, that...more
Mar 24, 2013 09:34am · see review
William rated a book 5 of 5 stars The 13th Juror (Dismas Hardy, #4) by John Lescroart (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
One of the finest works of popular fiction I've ever read. People often ask me, are there other writers of legal fiction you enjoy? Well, as a matter of fact, yes, and here it is. Lescroart is always good, but I will probably always think of this as...more
Mar 17, 2013 10:22am · see review
William rated a book 4 of 5 stars Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story by Jim Holt read in March, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I thought this was a frequently fascinating discourse on one of the world's most fascinating (and frightening) questions, one that touches on both philosophy and science. To be sure, some chapters are better than others, and I did have a feeling at t...more
Mar 17, 2013 10:20am · see review

More of William's books…

Quotes by William Bernhardt

“Insanity is my dominant characteristic. - Christina McCall”
― William Bernhardt, Naked Justice

4 people liked it

“But we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a world where gossip passes for news, and sensationalism passes for journalism. - Christina McCall”
― William Bernhardt, Naked Justice

3 people liked it

“I still believe in good and bad, in black and white, in right and wrong. I believe the guilty should be punished. I believe the law enforcement community has an obligation to make the world a better place, a safer placce. And I believe that with dedication and hard work, everyone can make a difference. Even lawyers. - Jack Bullock”
― William Bernhardt, Naked Justice

2 people liked it

See all William Bernhardt's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Seasonal Read...: Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks	2748	2247	May 31, 2010 09:00pm
Book Buying Addic...: June 2010 Purchases	128	129	Jul 02, 2010 06:42pm
The Next Best Boo...: Autism	8	57	Jul 21, 2010 03:54pm
The Mystery, Crim...: Winner Chosen: Group Read: Sept 15-Oct 14 2010	45	209	Sep 13, 2010 09:34pm
Romance Readers R...: 2010 November Monthly Challenge: Participants' Lists Thread	496	368	Dec 07, 2010 04:02pm
Cover to Cover Ch...: Ellen's 2010 Booklist	6	95	Dec 31, 2010 02:46pm

More…

Quotes William Likes

“Insanity is my dominant characteristic. - Christina McCall”
― William Bernhardt, Naked Justice

4 people liked it

“But we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a world where gossip passes for news, and sensationalism passes for journalism. - Christina McCall”
― William Bernhardt, Naked Justice

3 people liked it