Out of Harm's Way

by Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson eats giants for breakfast. Just ask media giant and shock-jock Howard Stern, who ranted on air about the "one lunatic lawyer" who got him kicked off the air. Jack, an outraged father and activist lawyer, is on a mission to protect children from the violent and obscene video games, music lyrics, shock jock radio shows, and television programs he says are creating a culture of violence and degradation. Going beyond outrage, Thompson chronicles his own spiritual journey from bystander to activist and offers the sociological, medical, scientific, and legal evidence that will motivate all Americans--especially parents--to get involved.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this thin volume, Florida Attorney Jack Thompson puts himself to the right of George W. Bush and Rush Limbaugh, lambasting popular culture, gay rights, and calling AIDS a moral issue, not a medical one. Mr. Thompson’s recent battles in the “culture war” involve the gaming industry, but Out of Harm’s Way begins with his campaign against a South Florida shock jock (an unnamed Neil Rogers) and his rise to public figure status during his litigation against rappers 2 Live Crew. Thompson becomes a censor celebrity (courtesy of the ACLU) for his efforts against Ice-T (Body Count)’s “Cop Killer” and then moves on to the gaming industry in the wake of school shootings he connects to violent video games (Thompson calls them “murder simulators”).

Out of Harm’s Way is more of a testimonial to Thompson’s life in Christ and a professional biography than a deeper work of social criticism. Thompson offers anecdotal evidence, but is clearly compelled by a strong conservative belief about what should be available for adults and children. Thompson’s first person account leads him to use “I” a lot and he writes in a conversational tone addressing an audience he believes shares his beliefs. If you share Thompson’s views, then you should enjoy this book. If you disagree with Thompson, then you have just gained access to the other side’s playbook.

[Jayson Wan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a reliable source of toilet paper.

[Melody]

This is a really good book. I bought it at a convention recently for half price, with the proceeds going to a good cause. I don't know that I'd really need to read it over again, but it will be a good one to share with people. It discusses one man's crusade to get filth (Howard Stern type) off the airwaves where children will be exposed to it. The crusade morphed into a fight against the violent video game industry and it really opened my eyes to the evil going on out there in the name of entertainment. Anyone who has children who are into video games needs to read this book. It is a quick read, and although the subject matter isn't pleasant, the book was not unpleasant to read. I especially enjoyed the author's openness about his Christian religion and how that played a part in his decisions. Highly recommended.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although he manages to make a few good, albeit extremely conservative, points, Jack Thompson's legal credibility is consistently undermined by his insistence on using Bible scripture and his self-described status as a "crusader" to support his decisions.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polarizing figure. Chew the meat. Spit out the bones.