Nothing like the Truth—The trials and tribulations of a criminal judge: A brilliant book

A radio call was made to two ambulance crew members to attend to a road traffic accident. They ignored the calls, drove to a side road, parked and cut the ambulance’s belt to disguise their laziness. The questions that intrigued the author when he was to represent the two men: how to defend persons who are known to be guilty? how could people be so immoral? These questions are at the heart of this book. 

I picked the book being inspired by the positive reviews—and I must say that it’s decidedly unputdownable. The preface begins with a cynicism towards a broken society with liars. The author then reveals a slice of his experiences at the criminal bar over a span of four decades—first as a barrister and thereafter as a judge. The book begins with questions about identifying the ‘innocent accused’ or the ‘innocent victim’. Then, much to my surprise, before jumping into discussions about his phase as a criminal barrister, the author reveals his not-so-goody-two-shoes days. It appears that the bar must have changed him into a serious and ethically strong man. One consoling aspect is the author’s observation that most advocates in the bar stick to high ethical standards—many driven by their rectitudinous roots and a few governed by the lurking fear of the disciplinary body. The stories of those who get reeled into the whirlpool of crime and their emotions are aptly described. The author also discusses the development of the police system, the changing nature of crime, qualities of a good criminal barrister and similar themes. The narration is personal, passionate and full of energy that would make us want to read and re-read.