Circle of Greed: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Lawyer Who Brought Corporate America to Its Knees

I found the book compelling and timely - given today's social, political and economic climates. Cannon and Dillon have created an amazing and very readable account of the inner workings of class-action suits within the legal system, the formation of questionable political, legal, and corporate liaisons, the lack-luster SEC, investigative work, and cheating. The unfolding revelations within the text are both troubling and fascinating at the same time. The authors clearly reveal there is not much of a delineation between narcissistic, brilliant people and stupidity. Lerach is a conumdrum; and his world of law is clearly full of moral and ethical contradictions. Kuddos to the authors for providing such a wonderfully detailed account of Lerach's world and giving greater insight into the socio-political inadequacies that have become a part of this nation's conscience. KW

You've heard of the blind leading the blind? How about the amoral prosecuting the amoral? Dillon and Cannon paint an interesting picture of a complicated anti-hero. It seems perfectly tuned to the climate of anger and blame in today's politics. The crusading lawyer for the little guy turns out to not really be such a crusader and more a self-serving opportunist. Good for those who like shades of gray.

Circle of Greed provides a fascinating account of the rise and fall one of the most famous--or infamous--class action lawyers, Bill Lerach. The book has many fine qualities. First, it is very interesting reading. Lerach has lived a colorful life, and Dillon and Cannon tell a heck of a story. Second, because Lerach was so prominent in prosecuting class actions, the book provides a concise history of many of the most important cases of fraud in the financial industry over the last several decades, a history that could not be more timely. Dillon and Cannon do a wonderful job of explaining in clear and accessible terms some of the shenanigans in which corporate America has engaged. Those descriptions by themselves justify the price of the book. Third, Circle of Greed offers a balanced account of class actions and their virtues and vices as a means of achieving justice. Lerach himself appears as a complicated character: a true believer who was so committed to his cause--and to winning--that he was willing to bend and even break the rules, leading to his incarceration. As a law professor, I teach about and study class actions and complex litigation. Over the years I have learned that people's ideological commitments tend to shape their views of class action litigation rather than the other way around. As a result, Circle of Greed is likely to be a Rorschach test. Those who hate class actions may object that Dillon and Cannon fail to condemn Lerach in clear enough terms. Those who are enamored with class actions may think Dillon and Cannon were too tough on Lerach--or should have chosen a more sympathetic subject, a class action lawyer who acted more ethically. But those who read Circle of Greed with an open mind may learn a little bit about one man's story, as well as a bit about the strengths and weaknesses of class litigation. Dillon and Cannon just provide the facts. The reader has to decide what to do with them.

As someone who has closely followed the life and career of Bill Lerach I have been waiting quite some time for someone to write this book, knowing that any recounting of legal work could turn out to be a dry and boring read. I am not disappointed. Dillon and Canon have turned what could have been a tiresome repeat of hearings, trials and settlement conferences into a spellbinding account of a colorful and demi-heroic rougue, someone any reader of the book will never forget, and Wall Street will never forgive. I'd have finished and reviewed the book much sooner, but my wife got her hands on it and wouldn't give it back until she'd reached the last page.

A tremendous book. A gripping page-turner that every reader will enjoy - even people without a background or specific interest in politics or law. Objectively and thoroughly reported, the authors make complex subjects understandable and present the tale of a larger-than-life character in a tale that someone will certainly turn into a blockbuster movie.