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Frank Sikora
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The Judge: The Life and Opinions of Alabama's Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Hardcover – January 1, 1992

by Frank Sikora (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the black drive for civil rights, but the changes he sought came largely in legal opinions issued by federal judges. Foremost of these was Frank Minis Johnson Jr., of Montgomery, Alabama, who presided over some of the most emotional hearings and trials of the rights movement—hearings brimming with dramatic and poignant testimony from the black people who cried out for the freedoms that are the legacy of all Americans.

Beginning with Judge Johnson’s coming-of-age in the hill country of Winston County, Alabama, this book covers many of his notable cases: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Rides, school desegregation, the Selma-to-Montgomery march, and the night-rider slaying of Viola Liuzzo, as well as Johnson’s work for prisoners, women, and the mentally ill. Much of the book is comprised of interviews and direct quotes from Johnson himself, making this recounting of Judge Johnson’s life dynamically autobiographical.
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  1. Print length
    340 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    River City Pub
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1992
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    096228159X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0962281594
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While more limited as a character study and legal/historical analysis than Jack Bass's Taming the Storm (reviewed above), this book is a useful complement. Using long stretches of court transcripts and equally long quotes from Johnson, Sikora, a staffer on the Birmingham (Ala.) News, dramatically reconstructs several major cases handled by the Federal Judge, whom former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brennan considers ``a remarkable man and a remarkable judge.'' Sikora describes courtroom arguments regarding the Montgomery bus boycott, Freedom Riders in Montgomery and, notably, the march Martin Luther King Jr. led in Selma. Sikora presents Johnson as a serious man with a sense of humor and of spirituality, but should have further explored Johnson's distance from standard liberalism: Johnson maintains that Northern liberal whites in the Civil Rights Movement were ``sorely misguided,'' personally opposes interracial marriages and by 1984 believed that blacks should compete equally with whites in education. Photos not seen by PW.

Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ River City Pub (January 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 096228159X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0962281594
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

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Frank Sikora

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

James R. Mahurin
5.0 out of 5 stars Every American needs to know about Judge Frank M. Johnson.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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Judge Frank M. Johnson was a quiet man whose intellect and strength of character changed the country.
One person found this helpful
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rrt
5.0 out of 5 stars Formula for righteousness
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2020
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A great look at how integrity and commitment to standards of our democracy wins out over political expediency in the long run. A model for us as individuals when we look at being selfish and self-righteous vs. generous, and putting the greater good over our own personal pseudo-interests and being truly righteous.
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Ken Kabb
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding narrative from the civil rights era
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2021
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Well written with interviews from the judge interwoven with history and commentary. A very good read.
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Tommy C. Bartlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for an introduction to Judge Frank Johnson's life.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
Frank Sikora was a writer for the Birmingham News during the turbulent days of the 1960s when Federal Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. made many of his controversial rulings on Alabama's segregation laws. Sikora details a penetrating look at the state and its people during those times. This is a must-read book for those who wish to understand the difficult journey of those seeking fairness and equality.
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Ejayt7
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2018
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I love this book, because it is the real trth about who really changed the US, concerning, The Civil Rights Movement
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Fred O. Van Zandt
5.0 out of 5 stars The Judge
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2011
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Excellent bio of a great jurist. Federal Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. rendered important decisions that helped to implement the civil rights of blacks and prision and mental institution inmates.
2 people found this helpful
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Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2003
Sikora's biography of Federal Judge Frank Johnson, who's court rulings helped desegregate Alabama, is by far the best told story of the judge. Sikora is an impeccable researcher and a poignant storyteller. Through extensive interviews with Johnson, Sikora was able to include lengthy quotes by the Judge, which make up at least 1/4 of the book. Sikora has captured Frank Johnson as both a judge and a man. This is a must-read for anyone interested in civil rights history.
3 people found this helpful
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