Final Verdict

by Adela Rogers St. Johns

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Genres: Law, True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography

520 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Rogers St. Johns was an author, screenwriter, and journalist whose long career followed a variety of topics from sports, politics, and the movies.

She won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970.

Reviews

[Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Her writing style and (admitted) lack of objectivity was just too hard to deal with and I gave up.

[Debra Pawlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adela Rogers St. Johns has always fascinated me. After all, she was affectionately called 'Mother Confessor' by many early Hollywood greats. She knew them all, the good and the bad. This book, however, was written about her father--the famous attorney Earl Rogers (it is said that he was the inspiration for Perry Mason) who died in 1922. While at times her eyewitness accounts of some of his most famous trials may be a bit jaded, it was always very interesting. They lived in a totally different era where she grew up riding horses in lieu of cars, handwriting letters in lieu of telephones and looking after a famous father who over imbibed. This book is not a quick read, but St. Johns tells her stories with wit and an insider's knowledge. Though her memories may be flawed at times, the fact that she adored her father and he idolized her, shines throughout her commentary. His courtroom antics were legendary and his innovative style influenced many attorneys to come. He was one of the first to introduce ballistics, as well as forensics, to the courtroom. If a man was in trouble, 'Get Earl Rogers' became his mantra. Now, I am intrigued to learn even more.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75* ....Enough of interest here if one can keep in mind the context of, and not be put off by the clear bias found in, the narrator's voice (subject's daughter is the author). No one could argue that Mrs. Rogers St. Johns is a poor writer and I personally appreciated the slant her view gives the many accounts and trial descriptions found in the book. Where her slant may, and in many cases should, cause the reader to question the information as concrete fact, I think it adds so much more back in emotion and feeling. This book would be impossible for any other writer to accomplish with regard to Earl Rogers, as no other writer had the spot in the catbird seat that Mrs. Rogers is kind enough to share with us.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. Apparently, rumor has it that Earl Rogers was Erle Stanley Gardner's inspiration for the character of Perry Mason.

Rogers must have been an amazing attorney. What comes through most beautifully was the love that his daughter bore for him regardless of his severe alcoholism and relevant behavior.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite whatever weaknesses the book may have in terms of writing style or lack of objectivity (which St. Johns admits is not really possible for a daughter writing about her father), I found it fascinating to read about this lawyer who apparently had such a big impact on how trials are conducted, yet whom most people today have never heard of. It also was interesting to read about life in an era when so much that we take for granted did not exist - fast transportation and communication, for instance. This was city life, not pioneer homesteading, but still very different from today, and not just in technology. It also is an account of the power and effects of alcoholism.

[Stephanie Kelly]

This book is a biography of Earl Rogers, the first great criminal defense lawyer who was the basis for Perry Mason, written by his daughter, who was essentially raised by her father in his law practice. The courtroom scenes and courtroom strategy were fascinating. Rogers was honestly portrayed, at least as much as a daughter can do of her father.

[Iamreddave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole courtroom drama genre is based on Rogers. Perry Mason in particular is based on him. This first person account of him is told from the adoring eye of his daughter. Alcoholism is an important subplot amongst the episodic court cases. Also as a view of California in the 1900s the book is really interesting.

[Harry M Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

Having a legal background, I really enjoyed this book. Even recognizing the familial bias of a daughter, the trial stories and transcripts revealed how good a trial lawyer Earl Rogers was.

[Khris Sellin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is the reason why this book is so painful because I have to read it for CE credits??? It's KILLING me. I thought it would be WAY more interesting. Oh well, it's only 500 something pages!

[Danath01 · Rating 3 out of 5]

great legal mind

[Katherine]

never read...can't delete