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Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away with Murder
"Provocative and entertaining…A powerful and damning diatribe on Simpson’s acquittal." ― People Here is the account of the O. J. Simpson case that no one dared to write, that no one else could write. In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Vincent Bugliosi, the famed prosecutor of Charles Manson and author of Helter Skelter , goes to the heart of the trial that divided the country and made a mockery of justice. He lays out the mountains of evidence; rebuts the defense; offers a thrilling summation; condemns the monumental blunders of the judge, the "Dream Team," and the media; and exposes, for the first time anywhere, the shocking incompetence of the prosecution.
512 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 1996
295 people are currently reading
3097 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Bugliosi
50 books1,132 followersAmerican attorney and author, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson and his followers for the murder of Sharon Tate and others.
In his books he claimed that O.J Simpson and Lee Harvey Oswald were guilty of the crimes they were accused of.
In his latest book he states that George W. Bush should be prosecuted for murder.
Bugliosi lived in Pasadena, CA.
In his books he claimed that O.J Simpson and Lee Harvey Oswald were guilty of the crimes they were accused of.
In his latest book he states that George W. Bush should be prosecuted for murder.
Bugliosi lived in Pasadena, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 24, 2024
Why can't Vincent Bugliosi masturbate in private like normal people do?
Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away With Murder, is 500 pages of Mr. Bugliosi telling the readers how great, smart, and amazing he is. If he had been the prosecutor none of this would have happened. If he had been the Judge he would have done things like that. If he had been in the defense team he would have demanded O.J. simply confess. If he had been in charge of the media no one would have even covered this case.
Vincent Bugliosi seems to think he invented the practice of law and he and only he knows how to properly practice it. Everyone including the reader is a brain dead idiot compared to him. Mr. Bugliosi is what I call a "Well actually person". I'm sure most of us know someone who no matter the subject knows everything about it and will talk over you make their point. Another term for this might be Mansplaining. Mr. Bugliosi is most certainly a mansplainer.
As I said in one of my updates Mr. Bugliosi was so irritating that I found myself wanting to defend O.J. Simpson, a double murderer(allegedly) and all around terrible person. Mr. Bugliosi spends a lot of time being incredulous to the fact that the defense team actually put up a defense based on the innocence of their client. Mr. Bugliosi argues that 1. No lawyer should defend a guilty person. 2. If they do take the case they should do the bare minimum to win the case. Now I'm not a lawyer but I'm pretty sure everyone even the guilty are entitled to competent defense.
I'm sure Mr. Bugliosi was a great prosecutor but he really came off in this book as more a prick. In fact he seems like a huge prick.
No rec.
Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away With Murder, is 500 pages of Mr. Bugliosi telling the readers how great, smart, and amazing he is. If he had been the prosecutor none of this would have happened. If he had been the Judge he would have done things like that. If he had been in the defense team he would have demanded O.J. simply confess. If he had been in charge of the media no one would have even covered this case.
Vincent Bugliosi seems to think he invented the practice of law and he and only he knows how to properly practice it. Everyone including the reader is a brain dead idiot compared to him. Mr. Bugliosi is what I call a "Well actually person". I'm sure most of us know someone who no matter the subject knows everything about it and will talk over you make their point. Another term for this might be Mansplaining. Mr. Bugliosi is most certainly a mansplainer.
As I said in one of my updates Mr. Bugliosi was so irritating that I found myself wanting to defend O.J. Simpson, a double murderer(allegedly) and all around terrible person. Mr. Bugliosi spends a lot of time being incredulous to the fact that the defense team actually put up a defense based on the innocence of their client. Mr. Bugliosi argues that 1. No lawyer should defend a guilty person. 2. If they do take the case they should do the bare minimum to win the case. Now I'm not a lawyer but I'm pretty sure everyone even the guilty are entitled to competent defense.
I'm sure Mr. Bugliosi was a great prosecutor but he really came off in this book as more a prick. In fact he seems like a huge prick.
No rec.
February 8, 2025
"The choice I had was to be candid or not to write the book at all".
Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away with Murder (Paperback)
by Vincent Bugliosi
My old review is below if you'd like to read it.
In view of Simpson's passing, I decided to revisit. I really wrote quite a tiny review of this. So I thought I would expand on it.
Bugliosi was a man I'd like to have met, to have known. A brilliant legal mind he was but also he struck me as having that coveted thing we all want and that is wisdom.
Had Bugliosi prosecuted Simpson, I've no doubt, he'd (Simpson) have been found guilty and easily.
In addition to the compelling legal argument, what I adored about this book and did not express (which is why I felt I had to edit this review) is his outlook on life.
Bugliosi speaks about incompetence in this book at great length and why so many are continually upset with the quality of well -- just about everything.
Think about it. HOW many times have you been hung up on by a robot while trying to call a computer company, a TV company, a phone provider, a healthcare company, ETC?
Buglioso explains his outlook on competence and trust me, it is hysterical (and true.) Expect nothing and be quite satisfied when competence comes around.
I read this so very long ago but never forgot it and that is as much for Bugliosi's personality as much as his legal theories.
If you are looking for an absorbing as well as a fascinating book on the prosecution of Simpson, this is it.
I loved this book, not just because of the compelling case Bugliosi makes but because of his musings on life which I found to be utterly delightful and a few of which I have taken to heart.
This is a really good book for Non Fiction readers. It really lays out the case and shows how the trial was so bungled.
It is long and rather wordy as his books tend to be but it is a great book and I'd highly recommend it.
Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away with Murder (Paperback)
by Vincent Bugliosi
My old review is below if you'd like to read it.
In view of Simpson's passing, I decided to revisit. I really wrote quite a tiny review of this. So I thought I would expand on it.
Bugliosi was a man I'd like to have met, to have known. A brilliant legal mind he was but also he struck me as having that coveted thing we all want and that is wisdom.
Had Bugliosi prosecuted Simpson, I've no doubt, he'd (Simpson) have been found guilty and easily.
In addition to the compelling legal argument, what I adored about this book and did not express (which is why I felt I had to edit this review) is his outlook on life.
Bugliosi speaks about incompetence in this book at great length and why so many are continually upset with the quality of well -- just about everything.
Think about it. HOW many times have you been hung up on by a robot while trying to call a computer company, a TV company, a phone provider, a healthcare company, ETC?
Buglioso explains his outlook on competence and trust me, it is hysterical (and true.) Expect nothing and be quite satisfied when competence comes around.
I read this so very long ago but never forgot it and that is as much for Bugliosi's personality as much as his legal theories.
If you are looking for an absorbing as well as a fascinating book on the prosecution of Simpson, this is it.
I loved this book, not just because of the compelling case Bugliosi makes but because of his musings on life which I found to be utterly delightful and a few of which I have taken to heart.
This is a really good book for Non Fiction readers. It really lays out the case and shows how the trial was so bungled.
It is long and rather wordy as his books tend to be but it is a great book and I'd highly recommend it.
October 14, 2011
Bugliosi is completely insufferable. I don't think I've ever seen so much ego dripping off the page. I agree with his take on the trial, but still, I found the entire book to be an unpleasant, unseemly, self-serving screed.
June 18, 2009
For a case that was overly saturated in the media, and with an abnormal plethora of books written about it, to have one book stand above all the rest is quite a feat.
"Outrage" is not a rehashing of the crimes themselves, nor a step-by-step recounting of the criminal trial. It is master prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi's views on the five main reasons that Simpson got away with murder. And Mr. Bugliosi spares no one. From his biting critique of the prosecutors' weak arguments to amazement at the defense's blatant race card tactic to disgust at the media-obsessed judge and disappointment at the weary jurors, Bugliosi pulls no punches in stating flat out that due to bungling all around, a murderer walks free among us.
Bugliosi is best known for being the prosecutor to put Charles Manson and several members of his "Family" behind bars and he is well equipped to write this scathing tome. Finishing the book, it is clear that the prosecutors would have done themselves a favor by hiring Bugliosi as a consultant.
If you're going to read a book about the Simpson criminal trial, choose this one . . . or at least read this one first.
"Outrage" is not a rehashing of the crimes themselves, nor a step-by-step recounting of the criminal trial. It is master prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi's views on the five main reasons that Simpson got away with murder. And Mr. Bugliosi spares no one. From his biting critique of the prosecutors' weak arguments to amazement at the defense's blatant race card tactic to disgust at the media-obsessed judge and disappointment at the weary jurors, Bugliosi pulls no punches in stating flat out that due to bungling all around, a murderer walks free among us.
Bugliosi is best known for being the prosecutor to put Charles Manson and several members of his "Family" behind bars and he is well equipped to write this scathing tome. Finishing the book, it is clear that the prosecutors would have done themselves a favor by hiring Bugliosi as a consultant.
If you're going to read a book about the Simpson criminal trial, choose this one . . . or at least read this one first.
November 17, 2007
As an attorney, this was the first and last book I read on the OJ Simpson prosecution (if it can be called that)... Bugliosi's treatment shreds the LA District Attorney's Office for their incompetence just as convincingly as he lays out the facts that prove (to this reader) Simpson's guilt - beyond reasonable doubt.
December 30, 2012
I "sorta" read Bugliosi's most famous work "Helter Skelter" as a kid (meaning I skimmed it a lot). This one came up in an online forum I was reading and I thought it could be an interesting read, as I was one of the millions who followed the trial on TV as it happened.
The good parts of the book are pretty much the five reasons that the author lays out. He does a good job of explaining how the lousy jury, the inept prosecution, and the bizarre judge botched this case, which should have been a slam dunk.
The reason the book is just "OK" and I only gave it two stars is that it was written pretty soon after the verdict came down and Bugliosi is just SPUTTERING mad in all of it. Nothing wrong with that, except I think that it made his writing suffer. He launches personal, snarky, sometimes downright petty jabs at the players in this show so often that it starts to make HIM look bad. An overarching theme of the book is that most people are really stupid and I'm very clever and this is how I would have done it. With a few years "cooling off" time, maybe he could have told the story in a more measured, less childish tone.
The good parts of the book are pretty much the five reasons that the author lays out. He does a good job of explaining how the lousy jury, the inept prosecution, and the bizarre judge botched this case, which should have been a slam dunk.
The reason the book is just "OK" and I only gave it two stars is that it was written pretty soon after the verdict came down and Bugliosi is just SPUTTERING mad in all of it. Nothing wrong with that, except I think that it made his writing suffer. He launches personal, snarky, sometimes downright petty jabs at the players in this show so often that it starts to make HIM look bad. An overarching theme of the book is that most people are really stupid and I'm very clever and this is how I would have done it. With a few years "cooling off" time, maybe he could have told the story in a more measured, less childish tone.
January 12, 2017
Excellent explanation of what went wrong with the OJ Simpson case and how the justice system is still flawed...
December 14, 2019
I recently watched the new mini series about the OJ Simpson case, at which point I read the Toobin book and went searching for another. I had read Bugliosi's book on the Manson murders, so was excited to read his take on the case.
Unfortunately, the book was terrible. Bugliosi has gotten cantankerous in his old age, and it shows. This was not an objective review of the case and evidence -- he views everything through the lens of Simpson being guilty and uses that as circular logic about why other pieces of evidence are believable or not. He is also insufferably sexist and egotistical. I honestly can't believe I stuck it out and read it until the end.
As an example of how off the rails this book went, there is an entire section on why Bugliosi doesn't believe in God, and how messed up God would have to be to let Nicole and Ron get killed, and then let OJ get away with it.
For the record, I think Simpson is guilty. I just expected a more articulate and objective review of the case from someone of Bugliosi's stature. I can't believe his publisher let this go to print.
Unfortunately, the book was terrible. Bugliosi has gotten cantankerous in his old age, and it shows. This was not an objective review of the case and evidence -- he views everything through the lens of Simpson being guilty and uses that as circular logic about why other pieces of evidence are believable or not. He is also insufferably sexist and egotistical. I honestly can't believe I stuck it out and read it until the end.
As an example of how off the rails this book went, there is an entire section on why Bugliosi doesn't believe in God, and how messed up God would have to be to let Nicole and Ron get killed, and then let OJ get away with it.
For the record, I think Simpson is guilty. I just expected a more articulate and objective review of the case from someone of Bugliosi's stature. I can't believe his publisher let this go to print.
July 28, 2008
I suppose some readers may find Bugliosi's tone and style a little off-putting. I rather liked it. It's so different from what I'm accustomed to reading. Stern, vigorous, and uncompromising. I can see why Bugliosi was such an extremely effective prosecutor. To be honest, I never really cared all that much about the Simpson case, and I still have no particular interest. The value of this book, for me, lies in its powerful, scathing, commonsensical critique of the lawyers' performances in the case. Even if it is Monday-morning quarterbacking, I think that this book has value as a lesson in how one constructs, organizes, and presents a case. I do not agree with all the points made in the book, but I found it pretty useful.
September 20, 2015
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. But about halfway through the 5th reason, it seemed to feel like Bugliosi was more intent on himself. His previous cases. And how he would have questioned witnesses, or opening and closing statements he would have made. You have your five reasons that he was found not guilty. Stick with that. I realize that Bugliosi has amazing experience in criminal trials. He's extremely knowledgeable. I don't question that. By the epilogue I was just skimming. I don't know where some of his random thoughts in the epilogue came from. I don't even mind the way he rages about the prosecution, the judge, and the defense. I'm horrified by the evidence the prosecution didn't give. I had forgotten what a media who're Ito was. I just really wish that the entire book couldn't have been more focused on the fact, and there had been less preaching by Bugliosi. the last part of the book kept me from giving this the 4 stars I had originally planned.
August 6, 2012
If you liked "Helter Skelter," don't assume you'll like "Outrage." Rather than police investigation story, Outrage is a very long-winded criticism of the L.A. County's handling of the O.J. Simpson trial. Bugliosi's criticism isn't just reserved for the police department, however, he's got lots to say about the Prosecutors office, the Defense and the jury.
Bugliosi does mention in his forward that he's going to be criticizing, so I won't say he didn't deliver what he promised. And deliver it in plenty.
Bugliosi does mention in his forward that he's going to be criticizing, so I won't say he didn't deliver what he promised. And deliver it in plenty.
February 12, 2017
This "true crime" book doesn't simply go by the blueprint set by Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood". You may or may not agree with Bugliosi's take on the trial (and Bugliosi's voice, for better or worse, is much too loud and clear throughout the book: it's either his way or the highway), or even the title of this book itself, but in its own way I find it original. Much more original than, say, Bugliosi's own "And the Sea Will Tell."
January 11, 2013
This is just Vincent Bugliosi tooting his own horn.
February 28, 2017
Amazing breakdown of the case form a legendary former prosecutor. Must read
October 31, 2013
How do you take a fascinating case like the O.J. Simpson murder trial and make it boring, offensive, and tiresome? Hire Vincent Bugliosi to write a book about it, of course.
I have read quite a few books on the O.J .Simpson case. I strongly believe he is guilty. But I was very curious about this book because I was interested to hear Bugliosi's take on it. The glowing reviews on Amazon convinced me I was about to read a brilliant rhetoric on how and why the state lost the Simpson case. Instead, what I got was a bitter diatribe about how literally everyone (not just those involved with this case) is intellectually inferior to the author. Bugliosi attacks the media, the defense team, the prosecution, the judge, the jury, and even the talking head legal analysts in his furious rant on the case's outcome. He presents himself as morally and intellectually superior to everyone, even going as far as to attack the courage and characted of a soldier in the Bosnian War, who was described in the media as an American hero for surviving a plane crash deep in enemy territory. Was this necessary? No. Did this have anything, anything at all, to do with the book's topic?. No. But in his desperate need to paint himself as so much better than everyone else, he will allow anyone - even a courageous soldier - to fall on his sword. It was unnecessary at best and nasty at worst. But at least it clearly shows the character of the author to any critical reader who is not blinded by his accomplishments.
Not only does he arrogantly place himself on a stool - make that a throne - above the rest of society (while tearing down those whom he considers to have over-bloated reputations) he rambles ad nauseum about topics that have nothing to do with the case at hand. He goes on and on and on about random topics like the Reagan presidency and the existence (or lack thereof) of God. One has to wonder, did he bother using an editor before publishing this book? Or did his giant ego lead him to think he didn't need one?
I will state that he makes some good points about the overwhelming amount of evidence in this case and how celebrity culture was a major factor in Simpson's acquittal. But that's also kind of obvious to anyone who watched the trial or even just watched the evening news throughout 1996. Much as he loves to accuses the dream team of being glaringly predictable, his own insights into the case are also blindingly obvious. The man might be a great prosecutor - indeed, the man behind the Manson convictions - but he is so overwhelmingly arrogant that it takes away from his achievements. Yes, we get it Mr. Bugliosi, you are smarter than the rest of us lowly humans. Cochran wasn't possibly a genius for knowing which issues would resonate with the jury. The jury was clearly both dumb and racist. Judge Ito was much too infatuated with the limelight. Blah blah blahdy blah blah.
If I could have given this book less than one star I would have. If you insist on reading it, please try to find a free copy online or get it from your local library. At least then you can avoid the mistake I made of paying ten bucks for this rubbish. I wish I'd given the money to a homeless bum rather than padded Bugliosi's overly large wallet - AND EGO - with my purchase. Hopefully, you can learn from me and avoid the same.
I have read quite a few books on the O.J .Simpson case. I strongly believe he is guilty. But I was very curious about this book because I was interested to hear Bugliosi's take on it. The glowing reviews on Amazon convinced me I was about to read a brilliant rhetoric on how and why the state lost the Simpson case. Instead, what I got was a bitter diatribe about how literally everyone (not just those involved with this case) is intellectually inferior to the author. Bugliosi attacks the media, the defense team, the prosecution, the judge, the jury, and even the talking head legal analysts in his furious rant on the case's outcome. He presents himself as morally and intellectually superior to everyone, even going as far as to attack the courage and characted of a soldier in the Bosnian War, who was described in the media as an American hero for surviving a plane crash deep in enemy territory. Was this necessary? No. Did this have anything, anything at all, to do with the book's topic?. No. But in his desperate need to paint himself as so much better than everyone else, he will allow anyone - even a courageous soldier - to fall on his sword. It was unnecessary at best and nasty at worst. But at least it clearly shows the character of the author to any critical reader who is not blinded by his accomplishments.
Not only does he arrogantly place himself on a stool - make that a throne - above the rest of society (while tearing down those whom he considers to have over-bloated reputations) he rambles ad nauseum about topics that have nothing to do with the case at hand. He goes on and on and on about random topics like the Reagan presidency and the existence (or lack thereof) of God. One has to wonder, did he bother using an editor before publishing this book? Or did his giant ego lead him to think he didn't need one?
I will state that he makes some good points about the overwhelming amount of evidence in this case and how celebrity culture was a major factor in Simpson's acquittal. But that's also kind of obvious to anyone who watched the trial or even just watched the evening news throughout 1996. Much as he loves to accuses the dream team of being glaringly predictable, his own insights into the case are also blindingly obvious. The man might be a great prosecutor - indeed, the man behind the Manson convictions - but he is so overwhelmingly arrogant that it takes away from his achievements. Yes, we get it Mr. Bugliosi, you are smarter than the rest of us lowly humans. Cochran wasn't possibly a genius for knowing which issues would resonate with the jury. The jury was clearly both dumb and racist. Judge Ito was much too infatuated with the limelight. Blah blah blahdy blah blah.
If I could have given this book less than one star I would have. If you insist on reading it, please try to find a free copy online or get it from your local library. At least then you can avoid the mistake I made of paying ten bucks for this rubbish. I wish I'd given the money to a homeless bum rather than padded Bugliosi's overly large wallet - AND EGO - with my purchase. Hopefully, you can learn from me and avoid the same.
July 30, 2013
This book covers the reason O.J. got away with murder according to Vincent Bugliosi. Bugliosi is the prosecutor who prosecuted the Manson murders and wrote Helter Skelter (an excellent book). He is very intelligent and very logical reaching his conclusion on known facts. This is probably why I like him so much since I tend to do the same.
I must forewarn you that Bugliosi is "outraged" at O.J. getting off and it definitely shows in this book. To his credit he warns you up front that he is angry. None of this bothered me much since I like passionate people. That said, I thought this was a very enlightening book on exactly what happened in that trial. Most people who followed the trial ought to know the prosecutors were a large part of the problem and the mostly black jury was the other. The jury was not the reason this trial went south though. Had the prosecutors presented their case in a manner the jury could "get it" then they probably would have convicted him. Instead they bought into the police "frame-up" which was nonsense.
It bothers me that O.J. got away with murder, but I wouldn't say I am outraged. Especially now that he is in prison where he belongs. He clearly did the crime, the evidence is overwhelming. Why the prosecutors didn't take their job more seriously I will never understand.
I must forewarn you that Bugliosi is "outraged" at O.J. getting off and it definitely shows in this book. To his credit he warns you up front that he is angry. None of this bothered me much since I like passionate people. That said, I thought this was a very enlightening book on exactly what happened in that trial. Most people who followed the trial ought to know the prosecutors were a large part of the problem and the mostly black jury was the other. The jury was not the reason this trial went south though. Had the prosecutors presented their case in a manner the jury could "get it" then they probably would have convicted him. Instead they bought into the police "frame-up" which was nonsense.
It bothers me that O.J. got away with murder, but I wouldn't say I am outraged. Especially now that he is in prison where he belongs. He clearly did the crime, the evidence is overwhelming. Why the prosecutors didn't take their job more seriously I will never understand.
February 11, 2017
Extremely compelling dissection of what went wrong with the prosecution of double-murderer OJ Simpson. It's almost amazing at the cascade of failures from the head DA (and father of current mayor of Los Angeles) Gil Carcetti, to the prosecutors, the jurors, the media, and even the so-called dream-team that allowed OJ To walk. The excerpts from the book written by three members of the jury are very disturbing.
At times some readers may find Bulgiotti's style a bit too overwhelming and academic, but the sections in bold where he writes his version of a summation are amazing. Even with the crappy case made by the DA, I have a feeling that Bugliosi's summation alone would have swayed some of those jurors.
At times some readers may find Bulgiotti's style a bit too overwhelming and academic, but the sections in bold where he writes his version of a summation are amazing. Even with the crappy case made by the DA, I have a feeling that Bugliosi's summation alone would have swayed some of those jurors.
March 14, 2017
Recently I decided to watch "American Crime: The People Vs. O.J. Simpson", and it brought back all the rage I originally felt back in 1995 when the verdict was read on live tv. Once I finished the series, I immediately googled books about this case, and came across this one. I chose this book to read because I really couldn't understand how on earth the verdict could be not guilty, when the evidence was all there pointing to OJ being guilty as hell. This book made it perfectly clear and pointed out the many mistakes the prosecution made in presenting their case. Even with those mistakes, there is no denying that the blood/DNA evidence should have been enough to get the conviction, but unfortunately, race and emotions trumped common sense and let a murderer go free.
January 9, 2009
Vincent Bugliosi is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely loved this book. I was not able to watch all of the O.J. trial but knew enough that I was amazed when the jury came back with a not guilty verdict. I know the jury was not able to hear all of the evidence and Judge Ito had trouble controlling the courtroom, but Vincent Bugliosi details additional problems with the prosecution team that assured O.J. would be found not guilty. There were also many problems with the "Dreamteam" but the prosecution team failed to use that to their advantage. A great read.
November 6, 2015
I read this in high school and since there a mini series coming out next year about the trial I thought it would be a good idea to read it again since I now have an education in criminal law. I admire everything about Vince Bugliosi. His work ethic was second to none and he had a brilliant career. If you're an aspiring trial lawyer, criminal justice student, or just want to know how in the hell OJ Simpson was acquitted, this is a must read book. The word outrage doesn't even begin to cover it. Aside from the subject matter, it's chock full of tips for criminal trial lawyers.
January 1, 2010
This is a sobering account of the so-called "trial of the century" of O.J. Simpson. It is rare that I read a book where the author's anger virtually boils from the page but Bugliosi pulls no punches in deconstructing the various players in this saga. A terrific read.
May 15, 2009
I really tried to like this book, but I just hated it. I couldn't even finish it.
April 12, 2021
This book is horrible. It is repetitive, it is condescending, it is boring. If you are following the OJ Simpson trial and its affects, naturally you will come across this book. Well, do not bother.
I want to point out that I agree with the general idea: I am also very disturbed by the outcome of the trial and what lead there but I will definitely not sit down and write hundreds of pages about how everybody else is stupid and how great I am and I would have done a much better job. What is the point of all this?
I struggled through the book and I skipped a lot, because of repetition. If you are an avid reader of you also have a legal background you can literally skim read and read between the lines: “here comes another grandiose section of self-congratulations” and you search with your eyes when a new topic or an original thought is inserted.
This book is not reader friendly at all but it is also difficult to read if you are used to a decent narrator voice who guides you through certain events without having the urge to talk down to people and just push them down in the mud where they allegedly belong.
I do not recommend. Skip it. The whole thing.
I want to point out that I agree with the general idea: I am also very disturbed by the outcome of the trial and what lead there but I will definitely not sit down and write hundreds of pages about how everybody else is stupid and how great I am and I would have done a much better job. What is the point of all this?
I struggled through the book and I skipped a lot, because of repetition. If you are an avid reader of you also have a legal background you can literally skim read and read between the lines: “here comes another grandiose section of self-congratulations” and you search with your eyes when a new topic or an original thought is inserted.
This book is not reader friendly at all but it is also difficult to read if you are used to a decent narrator voice who guides you through certain events without having the urge to talk down to people and just push them down in the mud where they allegedly belong.
I do not recommend. Skip it. The whole thing.
January 6, 2025
Vincent Bugliosi expertly dives into the prosecution of O.J. Simpson. If you’ve ever been interested in the case or in criminal prosecutions more generally, this book should be considered one of the few must-reads especially for those who have wondered, “How on Earth did O.J. get away with murder?” I have long considered this one of, if not, the best book I have ever read, and I’d encourage anyone remotely interested to give it a read.
June 2, 2018
a real slog to get through, and I’m very interested in the trial.
May 19, 2021
Mr Bugliosi is angry. He should have been. He was the man who prosecuted the Manson family. And that was certainly a more challenging case than this one; proving in front of a jury that views, ideas, preaching whatever you call it infact amounted to a criminal conspiracy seems to have been a greater ask than showing a jury that it shouldn't matter what an officer on the case said 10 years ago if there is DNA evidence along with the absence of an alibi against the defendant. He doesn't spare the "Dream Team" either and suggests that they won only because they were less incompetent than the prosecution.
Only clear issue with this book is Mr Bugliosi's tendency of inserting Himself and His qualities as a prosecutor and a lawyer in general everywhere. His pithy and aphoristic comments especially on the mediocrity encountered, perpetrated, executed by everyday people in their everyday lives are interesting and engaging. But these usually come about after he has made some point or the other about how He is a better man by being the more "skilled" (whatever that means in the legal profession) lawyer and thus it all gains a very haughty and sniffy air, a notion which the writer is aware, that gets built in a reader's mind; and he makes several attempts to address these in asides, but they appear like afterthoughts and spoil the taste of those very pertinent observations that the writer has shared.
Only clear issue with this book is Mr Bugliosi's tendency of inserting Himself and His qualities as a prosecutor and a lawyer in general everywhere. His pithy and aphoristic comments especially on the mediocrity encountered, perpetrated, executed by everyday people in their everyday lives are interesting and engaging. But these usually come about after he has made some point or the other about how He is a better man by being the more "skilled" (whatever that means in the legal profession) lawyer and thus it all gains a very haughty and sniffy air, a notion which the writer is aware, that gets built in a reader's mind; and he makes several attempts to address these in asides, but they appear like afterthoughts and spoil the taste of those very pertinent observations that the writer has shared.
September 22, 2013
A thorough and convincing argument both of Simpson's guilt and that the case was lost primarily due to failures by the prosecution to present their side properly. Bugliosi cites many examples of instances where introduction of a piece of evidence or a testimony would have substantially undermined or even completely eliminated crucial points the defense were presenting. He also correctly points out that the points that the defense used to sway the jury were largely left unaddressed by the prosecution, even though they could have been easily refuted if they'd been vigorously countered.
This would normally have been a four-star review, but I deducted one primarily due to a lengthy digression late in the book where the author wanders off into a discussion of his own (agnostic) views on the existence of God. It really makes no difference to me what he chooses to believe or not to believe, but the whole passage seemed to have some sort of axe to grind and, more significantly,
bore no relation to the point of the book. It was rather out of place and felt like an attempt to boost the word count. To be fair, it would be easy enough to skip, and certainly doesn't undermine the main points if the text.
Well worth a read for those interested in true crime or in this case.
This would normally have been a four-star review, but I deducted one primarily due to a lengthy digression late in the book where the author wanders off into a discussion of his own (agnostic) views on the existence of God. It really makes no difference to me what he chooses to believe or not to believe, but the whole passage seemed to have some sort of axe to grind and, more significantly,
bore no relation to the point of the book. It was rather out of place and felt like an attempt to boost the word count. To be fair, it would be easy enough to skip, and certainly doesn't undermine the main points if the text.
Well worth a read for those interested in true crime or in this case.
July 8, 2016
What starts out as a reasonably interesting observation of the Simpson trial's dynamics launches into a screed where virtually everyone associated with the case comes under Bugliosi's withering criticism.
Much of what he observes about trial tactics and what did or did not happen during the case would interest trial lawyers. But eventually he devolves into what, in many instances, feels like mean-spirited spewing at the prosecution's shortcomings. He doesn't spare the judge or the defense attorneys either. And as if we aren't getting it, he digresses into personal philosophies and observations, which not unlike many issues in the trial itself, we could have done without.
He admits his anger with the verdict and its motivation to write the book. But it seems he could have written a valuable book in fewer words without the scolding tone.
Much of what he observes about trial tactics and what did or did not happen during the case would interest trial lawyers. But eventually he devolves into what, in many instances, feels like mean-spirited spewing at the prosecution's shortcomings. He doesn't spare the judge or the defense attorneys either. And as if we aren't getting it, he digresses into personal philosophies and observations, which not unlike many issues in the trial itself, we could have done without.
He admits his anger with the verdict and its motivation to write the book. But it seems he could have written a valuable book in fewer words without the scolding tone.
May 16, 2010
Vincent Bugliosi was a great prosecutor and when he analizes the OJ SImpson case, he pulls no punches. He shows why he believes OJ was guilty and why he was found not guilty. He examines the errors of the DA's office, Judge Ito, The Prosecution and The defenses errors. He discusses how he would have done things as prosecutor and he has biting things to say about the media "experts" who covered the trial. He points out what he would have done instead. He also discusses the social impact of the trial and verdict.
He is very blunt in his discussion and I find a lot of it very interesting and I understand why he had such a successful career as a prosecutor. Sometimes the book reads slow but it is well worth the read no matter what your opinion on Simpson's guilt.
He is very blunt in his discussion and I find a lot of it very interesting and I understand why he had such a successful career as a prosecutor. Sometimes the book reads slow but it is well worth the read no matter what your opinion on Simpson's guilt.
December 5, 2016
Wow! The O.J. trial story is deeply interesting, with fascinating people, great subplots, and a turbo-charged racial community profile. With all that Mr. Bugliosi has written a very difficult to read, critical analysis of the trial from his couch. I appreciate his experience, I appreciate his prosecutorial knowledge and skill. I did not appreciate his condescending criticism of every other lawyer involved with this case. I don't ever stop reading a book but this book is way too long and way to condescending for me. I learned several things that I had not here-to-for read about the case but in retrospect it was not worth the pain of reading Mr. Bubliosi's rant. I do not recommend this book.
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