Climbing Jacob's Ladder: A Trial Lawyer's Journey on Behalf of 'The Least of These'

Jacob Smith, a prominent black lawyer and political and civil rights leader in New York in the segregated 1950s, was assassinated when his son, Jock, was eight years old. If this memoir told only of a child's loving remembrance of his father (and a desire to follow in his footsteps, thus Climbing Jacob's Ladder), it would be a success. But Jock Smith grew up to become a lawyer himself, a college professor, one of the first African American assistant attorneys general in Alabama, and then a highly successful plaintiff's lawyer, sports agent, sports memorabilia collector, and inspirational speaker. Now a national partner to superlawyer Johnnie Cochran, Smith operates in a fascinating world of power, wealth, fame, and faith. Climbing Jacob's Ladder tells it all. Jock Smith is a great storyteller, and co-author Paul Hemphill is a great writer. Their collaboration brings us an insider's view of the legal system, big-time sports collecting, contemporary black life, evangelism, and civil rights.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: NewSouth Books
Published: 03/01/2002
ISBN: 9781588380784
Pages: 304
Weight: 1.27lbs
Size: 9.18h x 6.42w x 1.02d

Review Citations: PW Notes and Reprints 05/13/2002 pg. 67
Publishers Weekly 05/16/2002