Ready for the Defense

(Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1971; Avon softcover, 1972, and Carroll & Graf reprint, 1995) The New York Times described this book as “a gripping account of five of Martin Garbus’ dramatic trials with all the suspense and excitement of first-rate courtroom dramas leav[ing] few emotions untapped.” The trials range from the criminal defense of Lenny Bruce to copyright cases and murder cases. Studs Terkel said, “The way things are going, I may be the subject of prosecution. Assuming I am of sound mind, I hereby choose as attorney for my defense Martin Garbus. Garbus draws on experience as a trial lawyer in criminal defense, corporate litigation, estates and class action suits. His cases, recounted in this book, are Darrowesque.” The book was a New York Times notable book.

“Garbus, the lawyer who handled the defense of Timothy Leary and Lenny Bruce, discusses these cases and includes rundowns of others… Readers will gain respect for the law, and particularly for Garbus, whatever their view of some of the defendants!” – Library Jornal

“The cockeyed way thing are going leads me to suspect that all sane men may be subject to prosecution of one sort of another. Assuming I am of sound mind, I hereby choose as attorney for my defense, Martin Garbus. His cases, recounted in this book, are Darrowesque!” – Studs Terkel

“Garbus is of the breed of Clarence Darrow and his book is engrossing!” – Publishers’ Weekly