Helpful Score: 4
I've read every one of John Grisham's books and while I like almost all of them, I feel that his best work was done in his first 5 books, those being A Time To Kill, The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, and The Chamber. The Chamber, to me, is the most powerful among these books because more than any other book by Grisham, it brings a hot button justice issue out in the open and it challenges the way people think about that issue. It is just as simple to say "an eye for an eye" as it is to say that any killing is wrong and this book definitely makes you consider both sides of the issue.
The ending scene is, without a doubt, the most power scene that you will find in any Grisham book. I am not a very emotional person but I can say that I was moved to tears by The Chamber's final pages. If you're a Grisham fan or a book enthusiast of any kind or even if you have a strong stance on either side of the capital punishment debate, you simply must read The Chamber.
The ending scene is, without a doubt, the most power scene that you will find in any Grisham book. I am not a very emotional person but I can say that I was moved to tears by The Chamber's final pages. If you're a Grisham fan or a book enthusiast of any kind or even if you have a strong stance on either side of the capital punishment debate, you simply must read The Chamber.
Helpful Score: 2
Grisham is brilliant. His experience as an attorney makes him excel at his craft. Better than any "Law and Order" on t.v. Take the night off and read a good book, instead!
Helpful Score: 2
Of Grisham's novel, this is one of my favorites. The issue of the death chamber, of what is truth, what is lies and what lies past in times that still haunts everyone today.... Hatred, racism, murder, pain... An excellent read.
Helpful Score: 1
In 1967 in Greenville, Mississippi, known Klan member Sam Cayhall is accused of bombing the law offices of Jewish civil rights activist Marvin Kramer, killing Kramer's two sons. Cayhall's first trial, with an all-white jury and a Klan rally outside the courthouse, ends in a hung jury: the retrial six months later has the same outcome.
Twelve years later an ambitious district attorney in Greenville reopens the case. Much has changed since 1967, and this time, with a jury of eight whites and four blacks, Cayhall is convicted. He is transferred to the state penitentiary at Parchman to await execution on death row.
In 1990, in the huge Chicago law firm of Kravitz & Bane, a young lawyer named Adam Hall asks to work on the Cayhall case, which the firm was handled on a pro bono basis for years. But the case is all but lost and time is running out: within weeks Sam Cayhall will finally go to the gas chamber. Why in the world would Adam want to get involved?
Twelve years later an ambitious district attorney in Greenville reopens the case. Much has changed since 1967, and this time, with a jury of eight whites and four blacks, Cayhall is convicted. He is transferred to the state penitentiary at Parchman to await execution on death row.
In 1990, in the huge Chicago law firm of Kravitz & Bane, a young lawyer named Adam Hall asks to work on the Cayhall case, which the firm was handled on a pro bono basis for years. But the case is all but lost and time is running out: within weeks Sam Cayhall will finally go to the gas chamber. Why in the world would Adam want to get involved?
Helpful Score: 1
Very interesting, fast moving. Not a slow page in the whole book. Hard to put down.
This was a most riveting and emotional book! As usual, Grisham grabs you from the beginning and never lets go. It was a bit long and sometimes tedious, but well worth the time to read it. It makes one really think about the death penalty and how it is used, politically and otherwise in this country.
a dark and thoughtful tale pulsing with moral uncertainites
Grisham is at the top of his game here, and his is a very good game!
i must admit, i've never really been a grisham fan. i gave it a try... i just couldn't get into it.
Another great story by Grisham. Spell binding until the end.
In the Corridors of Chicago's top law firm. Twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brillant legal career.
Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case. Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances- except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case. Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances- except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
In the corridors of Chicago's top law firm: Twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Maximum security unit. Mississippi state prison:
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bambing in 1967. He has run out of chances - except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets - including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life..or cost Adam his.
Maximum security unit. Mississippi state prison:
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bambing in 1967. He has run out of chances - except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets - including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life..or cost Adam his.
In 1967 in Greenville, Mississippi, known Klan member Sam Cayhall is accused of bombing the law offices of Jewish civil rights activist Marvin Kramer, killing Kramer's two sons. Cayhall's first trial, with an all-white jury and a Klan rally outside the courthouse, ends in a hung jury; the retrial six months later has the same outcome. Twelve years later an ambitious district attorney in Greenville reopens the case. Much has changed since 1967, and this time, with a jury of eight whites and four blacks, Cayhall is convicted. He is transferred to the state penitentiary at Parchman to await execution on death row. In 1990, in the huge Chicago law firm of Kravitz & Bane, a young lawyer named Adam Hall asks to work on the Cayhall case, which the firm has handled on a pro bono basis for years. But the case is all but lost and time is running out: within weeks Sam Cayhall will finally go to the gas chamber. Why in the world would Adam want to get involved?
26 year old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career.Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case. Makes you think about the death penelty law.
I like all John Grisham books so I am a bit biased. This book wasn't quite the same as some others with the twists and turns but he takes you through a very touching and seemingly hopless case throughout with a peaceful understanding closing at the end. It's a big book but held my interest throughout.
Another one of my husband's books, great read.
Compelling...Powerful Make readers think long & hard about the death penalty.
It's John Grisham... nothing else need be said.
Totally hypnotic... full of blooming, echoing prose... scenes unfold and unfold and you cant stop reading.
A thought-provoking tale...
Time is running out. typical John Grisham book, about the attempt to save a man from the death chamber
Makes you think twice about the death penalty.
"In the corridors of Chicago's top law firm, twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
...Sam Cayhill is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances--except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson..."
...Sam Cayhill is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances--except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson..."
Excellent book
My favorite. A powerful story of a man facing the death penalty. Can his young, liberal Chicago lawyer grandson save Sam Cayhall's life? Compelling and moving story as these two find each other. You definitely won't put this one down!
My favorite of Grisham's books....this one brought me to tears. Much better than the movie.
I could not put this book down... John Grisham keeps you on the edge of your seat...
I would give this book 0 or negative stars if I could. It was boring and I actually rooted for the horrible, remorseless grandfather to die. Avoid this book like the plague!
This was one of the better Grisholm books..i could hardly put it down
Quite good as are his other works!
One of Grisham's best!
woo hoo, I don't even know what to say. This is an excellent book. I couldn't put it down. Very good read.
an eye opener about the death penalty
totally hypnotic a book you cant stop reading
I enjoyed this book. It's one of J. Grisham's better "law" books.
I had just read The Green Mile when I came to this book. It was easy to enjoy both. And I learned more about Parchment Farm, which had been a bit of a mystery to this West coaster. And a tale of being the lawyer for a death row prisoner.
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances--except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
Very intense and worth it!
This is my favorite of Grisham's books. Chilling and relentlessly suspenseful. It is at once a story of family pain and reconciliation, a depiction of social ills (racism, violence, our flawed prisons), and a primer on the criminal justice system. No matter what your position on the death penalty, you'll find a lot to contemplate in this novel. Recommended.
WOW! It was hard to put this one down until I was done
Well known. Read it if you like Grisham
Good book!
Great book!!! It kept me on the edge of my seat... Had to know if Adam would succeed....
"A #1 New York Times Bestseller."
The Chamber is an epic-like excursion into many of the issues regarding the gas chamber as a method of execution. The main protagonist is an old man who participated in a terrorist bombing of a Jewish attorney in Mississippi during the height of KKK activity.
The other key character is his grandson, a fresh-faced attorney from a large Chicago-based law firm who only "discovered" his grandfather a few years earlier. He is his grandfather's last chance.
This novel is peppered with facts about the gas chamber and about the litigation of the death penalty in general. The characterization of a large number of characters is deep and it makes you sympathize with a character as hateful as Sam Cayhall.
This moves at a slower pace than many of his other novels, but this allows for greater character development, which I really enjoyed. I felt that I knew the characters as the novel was developing. I found this refreshing as many novels these days seem to skip the development of characters.
The other key character is his grandson, a fresh-faced attorney from a large Chicago-based law firm who only "discovered" his grandfather a few years earlier. He is his grandfather's last chance.
This novel is peppered with facts about the gas chamber and about the litigation of the death penalty in general. The characterization of a large number of characters is deep and it makes you sympathize with a character as hateful as Sam Cayhall.
This moves at a slower pace than many of his other novels, but this allows for greater character development, which I really enjoyed. I felt that I knew the characters as the novel was developing. I found this refreshing as many novels these days seem to skip the development of characters.
Grisham's The Chamber examines death penalty and racism
A former Klansman is convicted of murder 20 years after the crime; he is sentenced to death. All his legal appeals have been exhausted and now he only has weeks to live.
The former Klansman's grandson has become a lawyer and argues for a stay of execution. The family whole, long troubled history is laid out
He has done a lot of crimes while in those white robes, but did he commit the one crime that he is in prison for? There are some surprising answers to that.
An examination of the death penalty and of racism in America make this an interesting and thoughtful read.
A former Klansman is convicted of murder 20 years after the crime; he is sentenced to death. All his legal appeals have been exhausted and now he only has weeks to live.
The former Klansman's grandson has become a lawyer and argues for a stay of execution. The family whole, long troubled history is laid out
He has done a lot of crimes while in those white robes, but did he commit the one crime that he is in prison for? There are some surprising answers to that.
An examination of the death penalty and of racism in America make this an interesting and thoughtful read.
I liked many of John Grisham's novels up until the last two I've read. I have recently read The Street Lawyer and The Chamber and was severely dissapointed. It became obvious to me that Grisham is a liberal as he seems to victimize the criminals in his books and make the conservatives out to be the bad guys. I got tired of the political rhetoric and will likely refrain from reading any more of his books.
The book was really slow for me at first. But, once I start a book, I force myself to finish it. Once I got about fourteen chapters in, it finally got to be interesting and I couldn't put it down. The end of the book really did shock me.
If you like legal suspense, you'll love Grisham. Great book!
Adam Hall is a 26-year-old attorney, fresh out of law school and working at the best firm in Chicago. He might have been humming Timbuk 3's big hit, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades," if it wasn't for his psychotic Southern grandfather, Sam Cayhall. Cayhall, a card-carrying member of the KKK, is on death row for killing two men. Knowing his uncle will surely die without his legal expertise, Hall comes to the rescue and puts his dazzling career at stake, while digging up a barnyard of skeletons from his family's past.
I didn't think this one was as good as the other John Grisham books.
Twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is resking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has runout of chances - except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has runout of chances - except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
John Grisham is my favorite writer~! As with all of John Grisham books (ok, everyone except the Christmas story one!) its a page-turner. This is a story about one man's fight to escape the death penalty.
Probably Grisham's best. I could not put this book down.
Not the same cover shown.
In the coriridors of chicago's top law firm: 26 year old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal carrer. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Maxium security unit, Mississippi state prison: Sam Cayhall is a former klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances-except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam had only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets-including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life... or cost Adam his.
Maxium security unit, Mississippi state prison: Sam Cayhall is a former klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances-except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam had only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets-including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life... or cost Adam his.
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman now at the Maximum Security Unit at the Miss.State Prison. He has run out of chances for a fatal bombing in 1967 and is now facing the death penalty. His only hope is his grandson, Adam, from Chicago. Between the two men is a chasim of shame, family ties, and secrets - including one that could save Sam's life and end Adam's.
Very exciting book!
Very exciting book!
Great read . . . keeps the pages turning.
Really, what can you say about another great Grisham novel?
Another page turner by John Grisham!
A tale of pulsing moral uncertainties
This story of successful young lawyer Adam Hall who seems to be throwing away his careeror even risking his own life by defending death-row killer, Sam Cayhall. One of Grisham's most suspenseful novels.
A classic!!!!!!!!!!
Adam Hall is a young attorney, fresh out of law school and working at an important law firm in Chicago. Adam's future was full of possibilities, if it wasn't for his psychotic Southern grandfather, Sam Cayhall. Cayhall, a card-carrying member of the KKK, is on death row for killing two men. Knowing his uncle will surely die without his legal expertise, Hall comes to the rescue and puts his dazzling career at stake, while digging up a barnyard of skeletons from his family's past. This isn't the typical action-packed plot Grisham does so well and readers should ready themselves for a slower pace, well-fleshed-out characters, and heavy doses of sentimentalism.
"A dark and thoughtful tale pulsing with moral uncertainties"
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets - including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life...or cost Adam's his.
Very good book. John Grisham knows how to tell a story!
Outstanding book detailing the life of a man to die in the "chamber"...
AMAZING AUTHOR, ANY BOOK BY HIM IS GREAT.
BIG BOOK - 676 pages .. every one a John Grisham gem ...
"The decision to bomb the office of the radical Jew lawyer was reached with relative ease.This scrutinizes the death penalty and all of its nuances--from racially motivated murder to the cruel and unusual effects of a malfunctioning gas chamber.
Adam Hall is a 26-year-old attorney, fresh out of law school and working at the best firm in Chicago. He might have been humming Timbuk 3's big hit, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades," if it wasn't for his psychotic Southern grandfather, Sam Cayhall. Cayhall, a card-carrying member of the KKK, is on death row for killing two men. Knowing his uncle will surely die without his legal expertise, Hall comes to the rescue and puts his dazzling career at stake, while digging up a barnyard of skeletons from his family's past. This is a most interesting plot.
Adam Hall is a 26-year-old attorney, fresh out of law school and working at the best firm in Chicago. He might have been humming Timbuk 3's big hit, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades," if it wasn't for his psychotic Southern grandfather, Sam Cayhall. Cayhall, a card-carrying member of the KKK, is on death row for killing two men. Knowing his uncle will surely die without his legal expertise, Hall comes to the rescue and puts his dazzling career at stake, while digging up a barnyard of skeletons from his family's past. This is a most interesting plot.
VERY intense story dealing with the death penalty
Another fantastic Grisham novel - like most of his- hard to put down.
This is a great Grisham classic, written when he was still including the Gospel into his stories. This story is of a grandfather on death row, a grandson who doesn't know the old man but decides to help him (as a young lawyer). Their relationship develops slowly, the old man decides to make his life right with God & his grandson. The lessons on the prison system & esp. death row are at time shocking but true. The story of what God does between a grandfather & his grandson is very moving. It's worth rereading if it's been a few years since you've read it; at least it was for me.
One of his earlier books which I think are the best.
A critical look at capital punishment but still a fast read. Interesting Grisham book.
I did get into this book but it was just ok for me.
not sure if I have read it or not!!
A good book but not his best in my opinion. There were things that I expected to be large parts of the story and turned out to be no big deal. Worth reading but not what I had expected.
Awesome!
Good book. A little dark at times since it focuses on death row and the grandfather-grandson relationship of a condemned man.
Probably one of his very best novels...
A mesmerizing mystery, suspenseful right down to the last pages
Loved this when I read it! Couldn't put it down!
Grisham's take on the death penalty--the grandson of a racist murderer tries to stop his execution.
Intriguing...this is one of those books that go right down to the wire.
In the corridors of Chicago's top law firm:
Twenty -six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Maximum Security Unit, Mississippi State Prison:
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances -- except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets -- including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life... or cost Adam his.
Twenty -six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Maximum Security Unit, Mississippi State Prison:
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances -- except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets -- including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life... or cost Adam his.
Another book by a GREAT author!
Grisham at his best.
While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while protesters and TV cameras gather, Adam Hall, attorney, has only days to save his client. Between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies and secrets.
Another good Grisham book!!
John Grisham is one of the best authors! In this suspenseful story you'll keep reading to find out if Adam Cayhall succeeds...
This Grisham is average....
While the executioners prepare the gas chamebe, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, and minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life or cost Adam his.
A lawyer is risking his career to help a man on death row.....which is his grandfather and former klansman.
It's been awhile, but I remember this as being very suspenseful and interesting. A great read.
In the corridors of Chigago's top law firm: Twenty six year old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death row killer and an impossible case.
The jacket is torn a little on the bottom but the book is in real good
condition.
condition.
Different cover
This is a paperback, for some reason the auto-listing states cds.
This book does have a clipped corner.
In the Corridors of Chicago's Top Law Firm: 26 yr old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is eisking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Maximum security unit, Mississippi State Prison: Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and uprepentant racist now facing the death penalty for fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances - except for on: the young liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
In the Corridors of Chicago's Top Law Firm: 26 yr old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is eisking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Maximum security unit, Mississippi State Prison: Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and uprepentant racist now facing the death penalty for fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances - except for on: the young liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.
This book is well loved, but is in good condition.
Great condition.
