Jonathan Harr has written a gripping novel, entitled A Civil Action, about the true events of a gripping court case involving two major corporations and the families who were greatly affected . In Woburn, Massachusetts, twenty-eight children contracted acute lymphocytic leukemia between 1964 and 1986. The explanation for the contraction of the disease and even the death of some children was discovered in the water; two municipal wells near the city were found to be contaminated with toxic chemicals. Eight families filed suit against WR Grace & Co. and Beatrice Foods Inc., accusing them of well contamination and the deaths of their children. The families only wanted an apology and the truth, but when the affair began, finding out the truth became difficult. A recurring theme throughout the book is the conflict between the search for truth and the legal process. The two are almost always incompatible in the courtroom, and A Civil Action illustrates this quite well. The fight for the truth was taken over by the legal tactics used by the accused, the aim of which was to prevent the truth from coming to light. It is natural for both the plaintiff and defendant to use tactics to create the verdict rather than using the facts of the case because both are aiming for success. Misinformation, partial truths and hidden facts are common in the courtroom and one scene from A Civil Action shows how this can change the entire trial. People in the courtroom can manipulate the trial so that the odds are in their favor. The truth is rarely the center of attention. The courtroom is not used to find out the truth. It is used for power and to acquire wealth. Jerome Facher, defendant in the Woburn case for Grace, was good with...... middle of paper...... cleanup of the contaminated items began, proving that with a long and careful process, the truth can be found. Even though the legal process got in the way and prolonged the trial, it was ultimately worth it. In conclusion, discovering the truth, the facts and the goal of justice should be the main goal of any trial. civil matter. Unfortunately, the legal process gets in the way. The legal system becomes unfair and in some cases justice is never served. Watching the story unfold and reading about the struggle between wealth, power, and justice is thrilling, but saddening. The book is important and should be read by everyone, from people who study the legal system to people who don't. This is a moving and engaging book. This cannot be forgotten. One man can make the biggest difference and finding the truth is far more rewarding than any wealth..