Tough Talk
How I Fought for Writers, Comics, Bigots, and the American Way
By Martin Garbus | Publisher: Crown
About the book
The boisterous freedom promised by the First Amendment is both the heart of American experiment and the fissure along which it divides itself. Those who would fight freedom's enemies, from political correctness to corporate intimidation to outright censorship, face powerful adversaries. But they also have a potent weapon at their disposal: good, old-fashioned talk--tough talk. And as one of America's leading First Amendment attorneys, Martin Garbus is one of the toughest talkers there is.
Starting with his work on the tam that defended the legendary satirist Lenny Bruce against obscenity charges, Garbus has been a fearless advocate for some of the most important voices of our time, among them union organizer Cesar Chavez, actor Robert Redford, director Spike Lee, writer Samuel Beckett, Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov, and Czech playwright Vaclav Havel, who, as president of his country's revolutionary government, invited Garbus to help write the nation's constitution.
But Garbus is not an ivory-tower theoretician. He is a highly effective defense lawyer who takes on cases with the full intent of winning. In Tough Talk, Garbus goes behind the scenes to show us how our system really works and what he does to make it work for his clients. How does an attorney get controversial cases? What does he do to gain control of a hostile courtroom? How does he work with a defendant whose beliefs are the opposite of his own?
Tough Talk is both the story of one man's battle for freedom and a clear-eyed account of every major First Amendment issue this nation has faced in the last three decades, for the battles Garbus has fought have become the touchstones of America's debate about the limits of freedom. In showing us how he has harnessed his personal idealism to the gritty reality of the courtroom, Garbus gives brilliant testimony to the power of tough talk.
Editions of Tough Talk
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780812991055
Read an Excerpt
The boisterous freedom promised by the First Amendment is both the heart of American experiment and the fissure along which it divides itself. Those who would fight freedom's enemies, from political correctness to corporate intimidation to outright censorship, face powerful adversaries. But they also have a potent weapon at their disposal: good, old-fashioned talk--tough talk. And as one of America's leading First Amendment attorneys, Martin Garbus is one of the toughest talkers there is.
Starting with his work on the tam that defended the legendary satirist Lenny Bruce against obscenity charges, Garbus has been a fearless advocate for some of the most important voices of our time, among them union organizer Cesar Chavez, actor Robert Redford, director Spike Lee, writer Samuel Beckett, Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov, and Czech playwright Vaclav Havel, who, as president of his country's revolutionary government, invited Garbus to help write the nation's constitution.
But Garbus is not an ivory-tower theoretician. He is a highly effective defense lawyer who takes on cases with the full intent of winning. In Tough Talk, Garbus goes behind the scenes to show us how our system really works and what he does to make it work for his clients. How does an attorney get controversial cases? What does he do to gain control of a hostile courtroom? How does he work with a defendant whose beliefs are the opposite of his own?
Tough Talk is both the story of one man's battle for freedom and a clear-eyed account of every major First Amendment issue this nation has faced in the last three decades, for the battles Garbus has fought have become the touchstones of America's debate about the limits of freedom. In showing us how he has harnessed his personal idealism to the gritty reality of the courtroom, Garbus gives brilliant testimony to the power of tough talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tough Talk about?
The boisterous freedom promised by the First Amendment is both the heart of American experiment and the fissure along which it divides itself. Those who would fight freedom's enemies, from political correctness to corporate intimidation to outright censorship, face powerful adversaries. But they also have a potent weapon at their disposal: good, old-fashioned talk--tough talk. And as one of America's leading First Amendment attorneys, Martin Garbus is one of the toughest talkers there is.
Starting with his work on the tam that defended the legendary satirist Lenny Bruce against obscenity charges, Garbus has been a fearless advocate for some of the most important voices of our time, among them union organizer Cesar Chavez, actor Robert Redford, director Spike Lee, writer Samuel Beckett, Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov, and Czech playwright Vaclav Havel, who, as president of his country's revolutionary government, invited Garbus to help write the nation's constitution.
But Garbus is not an ivory-tower theoretician. He is a highly effective defense lawyer who takes on cases with the full intent of winning. In Tough Talk, Garbus goes behind the scenes to show us how our system really works and what he does to make it work for his clients. How does an attorney get controversial cases? What does he do to gain control of a hostile courtroom? How does he work with a defendant whose beliefs are the opposite of his own?
Tough Talk is both the story of one man's battle for freedom and a clear-eyed account of every major First Amendment issue this nation has faced in the last three decades, for the battles Garbus has fought have become the touchstones of America's debate about the limits of freedom. In showing us how he has harnessed his personal idealism to the gritty reality of the courtroom, Garbus gives brilliant testimony to the power of tough talk.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Tough Talk?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general
Where can I read a sample of Tough Talk?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780812991055
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Tough Talk?
Martin Garbus
Who is the Publisher of the book Tough Talk?
Crown
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Tough Talk is available as paperback(ISBN 9780812991055)
Where can I buy Tough Talk online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Tough Talk from below
Where can I buy Tough Talk?