With Justice for Some: Politically Charged Criminal Trials in the Early 20th Century That Helped Shape Today's America

by Lise Pearlman

Lise Pearlman's With Justice for Some: Politically Charged Criminal Trials in the Early 20th Century that Helped Shape Today's America takes a fascinating look back at headline-grabbing criminal trials from the early 1900s as a cultural backdrop for contentious issues we face as a nation today. In her first book The Sky's The Limit: People v. Newton, The REAL Trial of the 20th Century? these early trials were compared to the 1968 death penalty trial of Black Panther leader Huey Newton, which the author considered the real trial of the century neglected by most historians. Here, these riveting trials are reexamined with emphasis on the insights they provide to today's political climate. Pearlman's new book opens with a remarkable admission by former FBI Chief James Comey in a speech on Lincoln's birthday in February 2015: "All of us in law enforcement must be honest enough to acknowledge that much of our history is not pretty. At many points in American history, law enforcement enforced the status quo . . . that was often brutally unfair to disfavored groups." He invited all Americans to re-examine our "cultural inheritance" with fresh eyes. That is what Pearlman's new book seeks to do. This well-researched volume takes advantage of the passage of time to put each trial into perspective from work done decades, sometimes even a century, later by investigative journalists and historians who unearthed far more evidence of what really happened in the events that made banner headlines in the early 20th century. She makes the case that by revisiting riveting high-stakes trials that still have ramifications today, we can gain a better understanding of the extent cultural bias has permeated the fabric of our culture -- and a better premise from which to move forward as a nation than the whitewashed history so many of us were taught in school.

430 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2017

Reviews

[Ava Edward]

This book is a powerful and eye-opening analysis of how international law operates in practice rather than in theory. Noura Erakat skillfully shows that law is not neutral and that its application in the case of Palestine has often reinforced inequality instead of correcting it. Deeply researched and clearly written, Justice for Some challenges readers to rethink long-held assumptions about justice, legality, and power.

[Ava Edward]

Noura Erakat presents a bold and thoughtful critique of international law and its role in the Palestinian experience. The book is both scholarly and readable, making it suitable for academics and general readers alike. It encourages critical thinking and leaves a lasting impression long after finishing.

[Ava Edward]

Justice for Some is a compelling and eye-opening book that challenges the idea of international law as a neutral force. Noura Erakat clearly explains how legal frameworks have often reinforced inequality rather than corrected it. The book is well-researched, engaging, and essential for understanding the deeper structures behind the Palestinian struggle.

[ABF]

With Justice for Some is a compelling examination of early 20th century criminal trials and how they continue to shape America today. Lise Pearlman connects history, law, and politics in a way that feels both educational and deeply relevant to our current national conversations.

[Grok]

This book powerfully revisits landmark criminal trials and challenges the version of history many of us were taught. Pearlman’s research and analysis reveal how cultural bias influenced justice in the past and why those lessons still matter today.

[Books Booze]

Lise Pearlman does an excellent job reexamining politically charged trials with fresh evidence uncovered decades later. The book encourages readers to reflect on America’s legal and cultural inheritance with honesty and critical thought.

[Ethan Peace]

A Strong Connection Between Past and Present
With Justice for Some shows how unresolved issues from early criminal trials still echo in today’s political and legal climate. The author presents history clearly, thoughtfully, and with purpose, making this a meaningful read.

[Jaxx Laura]

This book invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about justice, law enforcement, and cultural bias in American history. Pearlman’s careful research and thoughtful perspective make this an important and engaging work.