Whether or not you always agree with his perspective, you can admire Doctor Emanuel Tanay's work. He continues a tradition which stretches as far back as from Socrates and the Biblical prophets to Emile Zola and Thurgood Marshall. Dr. Tanay's voice of painful yet reflected-upon experience decries injustice in the midst of the pursuit of justice.
Harold J. Bursztajn ... Read moreM.D., co-founder, Program in Psychiatry and the Law at Harvard Medical School Dr. Emanuel Tanay is a well-known forensic psychiatrist, who, having become an internationally known expert on homicide, has been called upon to testify in many high-profile cases, such as those involving Jack Ruby, Ted Bundy, Sam Sheppard, and Robert Garwood. In this book he sets out an illuminating discussion of the injustice of the American legal system. American Legal Injustice's revelations will surprise many readers and leave them with impressions never to be forgotten. It is a must read.
Ralph Slovenko, Wayne State University Law School When I was Attorney General of Michigan from 1962 through 1998, I had the opportunity to work with and discuss numerous psychiatric issues with Dr. Emanuel Tanay. In addition to being a recognized leader in the field of psychiatry, I found Dr. Tanay to be a true scholar in other disciplines. I consider him a renaissance man. His latest book affords him the opportunity to point out the lack of fairness that occurs in our judicial system. Dr. Tanay inherently knows that our forefathers were correct when they said you must pursue justice, since it cannot be a guarantee.
Frank Kelley, Attorney General Emeritus of Michigan, 1962-1998 In case descriptions, Tanay describes his observations and presents expert reports that he authored. He is a wonderful observer, thoughtfully attuned to subtleties in body movement and facial expressions of the people he has assessed. His reports are vividly written, cogent, and compelling. He has been involved in some of the most notorious criminal trials of the 20th century, including those of Jack Ruby, Ted Bundy, and Sam Sheppard....American Legal Injustice: Behind the Scenes With an Expert Witness is more personal and more idiosyncratic than any other book about expert testimony. . . .Tanay gives us an assertive position, openly embraced and explicitly stated. This book is a valuable point of departure for experts evaluating and thinking through their own positions on expert testimony and the insanity defense.
PsycCRITIQUES
Emanuel Tanay has written a passionate, readable, provocative, and controversial memoir about his unique style and experiences in forensic psychiatry. He has exposed many flaws in the justice system that should be addressed. I recommend his book highly.
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Every criminal justice practitioner has a professional obligation to read Dr. Tanay?s book, American Legal Injustice: Behind the Scenes with an Expert Witness. From the classroom to the courtroom, whether you are a student or have already assumed arole within the American justice system, you will gain a clearer understanding of the obstacles that prevent our justice system from being effective in every type of civil or criminal action. Rarely do we have the opportunity to learn from experts withmore than 50 years of experience. Dr. Tanay presents the insider?s viewpoint?from both the prosecution and defense tables?with his honest examination of the American legal system. The courtroom is a stage; proceedings are live dramas; and the side with the best story with actors that can portray their roles most effectively will prevail. In every situation, individuals enter the courtroom unprepared and usually are subjected to a jury whose expectations have been formed by television shows. Today?s justice system does fail to exonerate some who are wrongfully accused of crimes. Dr. Tanay examines some of those situations and successfully engages the reader in his analysis of some very high profile cases. This honest examination of the justice sys
Jacqueline Fish, PhD, Charleston Southern University Dr. Tanay's testimonial style has proven riveting and highly credible to judges and juries alike. . . . Dr. Tanay is passionate about the injustice of justice. He does not shy away from expressing his thoughts and feelings about controversial issues. The law can be a cruel and blunt instrument, when dealing with the mentally ill. Readers may strongly agree or disagree with Dr. Tanay's views, but they will be richly rewarded in encountering the heart and the mind of a great forensic psychiatrist.
From the Foreword by Robert I. Simon, MD Every criminal justice practitioner has a professional obligation to read Dr. Tanay’s book, American Legal Injustice: Behind the Scenes with an Expert Witness. From the classroom to the courtroom, whether you are a student or have already assumed a role within the American justice system, you will gain a clearer understanding of the obstacles that prevent our justice system from being effective in every type of civil or criminal action. Rarely do we have the opportunity to learn from experts with more than 50 years of experience. Dr. Tanay presents the insider’s viewpoint—from both the prosecution and defense tables—with his honest examination of the American legal system. The courtroom is a stage; proceedings are live dramas; and the side with the best story with actors that can portray their roles most effectively will prevail. In every situation, individuals enter the courtroom unprepared and usually are subjected to a jury whose expectations have been formed by television shows. Today’s justice system does fail to exonerate some who are wrongfully accused of crimes. Dr. Tanay examines some of those situations and successfully engages the reader in his analysis of some very high profile cases. This honest examination of the justice system from an insider’s point of view should be mandatory reading for all professionals in the criminal justice system. Whether you are in law enforcement, a prosecutor or defense attorney, a correctional staff member, a caregiver, or the family member of a victim or defendant, you will find yourself immersed in Dr. Tanay’s captivating examination of his role as an expert witness in cases across the nation spanning five decades of American history.
Jacqueline Fish, PhD, Charleston Southern University I found this a meaty and stimulating read….I would rate this a five-star book for lawyers and much of the interested general public. In addition I would suggest its incorporation into selective areas of the post-graduate medical curriculum.
Louis C. Johnston, MD, FACP Show Less