Opening Arguments: A Young Lawyer's First Case: United States v. Oliver North

by Jeffrey Toobin

Recounts the investigation and trial of Oliver North, examines how government lawyers build a case, and reveals a young lawyer's training

Genres: Politics, History, Law

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jeffrey Ross Toobin (J.D., Harvard Law School, 1986; B.A., American History and Literature, Harvard University) is a lawyer, blogger, and media legal correspondent for CNN and formerly The New Yorker magazine. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, and later worked as a legal analyst for ABC News, where he received a 2001 Emmy Award for his coverage of the Elian Gonzales custody saga.

Reviews

[Michaela Kollin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit dry and hard to follow. The insights into trial strategy and case-building were interesting but I felt like Toobin assumed a level of familiarity with Oliver North’s misdeeds that I didn’t have, so a lot of Opening Arguments sailed over my head and didn’t leave as much of an impact as it could have.

[Readnponder · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the case of Oliver North in the late 1980s. Toobin was a recent law school grad when he went to work for the Office of Independent Counsel. (In fact, he hadn't take the bar exam yet.) He provides an earnest and wide-eyed perspective of one of the decade's most controversial cases. About the same time, I worked for a judge who was presiding over a separate Iran-Contra case. I was curious to compare my brief experience with Toobin's in depth participation. Some readers may find the legal minutiae tedious, but I enjoyed the stroll down memory lane.

[william t. hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been there, done that.

I am also a retired United States Air Force officer, lieutenant colonel who underwent a military court martial, but with a different result. Prisoner of Peace is my story.

[Jordan Lauterbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dull at points, but last 100 pages save it a bit.

[Chip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exceptionally slow for the first two-thirds but once the trial of Ollie North started I couldn't put it down. Good, not great. Can see how this was a stepping stone for Toobin.

[Christopher]

Well written, detailed,memoir of Toobin's experiences as part of the prosecutorial team who tried Oliver North. Fascinating insights into several of the lawyers, witnesses and judge involved in this case. A fly on the wall glimpse into this case and our judicial system.