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Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape
The director of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in Manhattan draws on her two decades of experience with nationally prominent rape cases to recount the stories behind the trials and explain recent changes in the law benefitting rape victims. Reprint.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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About the author
Linda Fairstein
100 books1,608 followersLinda Fairstein (born 1947) is one of America's foremost legal experts on crimes of violence against women and children. She served as head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office from 1976 until 2002 and is the author of a series of novels featuring Manhattan prosecutor Alexandra Cooper.
Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.
This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.
Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.
Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.
Series:
* Alexandra Cooper Mystery
Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.
This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.
Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.
Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.
Series:
* Alexandra Cooper Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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June 4, 2019Three things she did not count on was them surviving, them getting out, and technology. She thought she got away with it but you always reap what you sow... I hope she's ready
February 14, 2020
Linda, Does your war against rape involve convicting innocent children of rape?
Don’t buy anything written by this author. Her advocacy for women is hard to believe when she sticks up for Harvey Weinstein and is responsible for convicting The Central Park Five of a crime they didn’t commit.
Don’t buy anything written by this author. Her advocacy for women is hard to believe when she sticks up for Harvey Weinstein and is responsible for convicting The Central Park Five of a crime they didn’t commit.
June 3, 2019
Central Park Five
um-not-these-authors
December 13, 2019Linda Fairstein headed the sex crimes unit at the Manhattan district attorney’s office and played a pivotal role in coercing the false confessions from the Central Park Five that sent them to prison.
I would not read any of her books for this reason alone, but the fact that she authored this book, Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape is particularly galling.
I would not read any of her books for this reason alone, but the fact that she authored this book, Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape is particularly galling.
June 4, 2019
She waged war on innocent teens, not rape.
May 12, 2020
Fairstein's history with the NYC District Attorney's office dates back to her graduation from Vassar and saw improvements in the handling of rape cases. Ostensibly the connecting thread in the book is a case she worked on - the Midtown Rapist - but that seems fairly minor in context. Other cases are used better for illustrating various issues.
It is understandably focused on the law and order aspects of rape, without solutions for the culture that encourages it. There is not a good grasp on rape culture, though acquaintance rape is treated. At the same time, for when the book is written it would have been pretty cutting edge, and even now as history it is pretty interesting.
It is understandably focused on the law and order aspects of rape, without solutions for the culture that encourages it. There is not a good grasp on rape culture, though acquaintance rape is treated. At the same time, for when the book is written it would have been pretty cutting edge, and even now as history it is pretty interesting.
February 19, 2009
I read this for a social work class and found her writing to be informative and easy to follow. I've started reading her fiction as well.
February 22, 2010
YES! Dear Ms. Fairstein, please continue non-fiction writing. Your intellect is able to more gracefully approach the page and your insights are better here than in occasional fiction.
Fantastico!
Fantastico!
March 1, 2013
Too old to be feasible today. Focuses too much on a single case study per chapter.
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January 16, 2019A very difficult book to read, not because it was badly written but because of the difficult subject matter. It took me several months to slowly work through it, but I was very happy to say I read it and quite challenged and moved by the stories told and the actions of Fairstein.
I want to read her novels, but as this was her first work, and as quite often with authors, it could lend some understanding too how she writes, and what she writes.
This is a valuable book, and should be read by many, if not all.
A challenging read, but a worthwhile read!
I want to read her novels, but as this was her first work, and as quite often with authors, it could lend some understanding too how she writes, and what she writes.
This is a valuable book, and should be read by many, if not all.
A challenging read, but a worthwhile read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews