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Tower Publishing
588 Saco Road
Standish, ME 04084
Book: perfect bound paperback
Copyright: 2010
ISBN-13:
9781932056952
Number of pages: 255
Published: March 2010
** Also Available **
on Amazon Kindle
Book Description:
This book is for prosecutors, law students and anyone else interested in a behind the scenes look at the job of the American legal superhero–the prosecutor. In “The Best Story Wins,” nationally recognized legal educator and former prosecutor John Bobo offers an essential explanation of how the role of storytelling is critical to effective advocacy, as well as other lessons of legal jujitsu. Mr. Bobo imparts readers with the wisdom that leads to winning at trial–crafting a theme for your case, effectively battling defense attorneys, and communicating with both judges and juries. Sections also explore practical concerns for beyond the courtroom, such as how recognizing the symptoms of burnout and discovering a healthy work-life balance.
Author John Bobo explains, "In an average day, prosecutors face almost every issue that plagues society: drug abuse, gang violence, domestic violence, child abuse, drunk driving, armed robbery and murder. And that's just the docket before lunch,” the author says. “With shoe-string budgets and huge case loads, prosecutors deal with the most horrible things that people do to each other. This book is for them. It's the book I wish someone had pushed into my hands those first weeks on the job, and it's the book to help prosecutors thrive and enjoy their profession."
A well-known national trainer of prosecutors, John Bobo served as a prosecutor for the State of Tennessee before joining the American Prosecutors Research Institute in Alexandria, VA. Receiving his J.D. from the University of Memphis in 1991, John has prosecuted cases ranging from first-degree murder to shovel and knife fights, but his primary areas of focus were narcotics offenses, vehicular homicides and impaired driving related crimes. In 2004, John was appointed by the White House to serve in the U.S. Department of Transportation to work on drug and alcohol policy issues, and he later headed up U.S. DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration. Currently, he lives in the Washington, D.C. area working as a speaker, writer and consultant.
Testimonials and endorsements:
“A manual for prosecuting cases that should be on the desk of every prosecutor in the country.”
~ Rick Knight, Assistant Prosecutor, Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,
Kansas City, Missouri
“A must read…It is truly one of the best explanations of what it is to be a prosecutor in print
today. John Bobo writes with an easy wit and entertaining style about the trials and tribulations of
having the most serious job there is. His book thrives because he is sharing the secrets he learned
by doing. I only wish that the rest of society could be convinced to pick it up. They would enjoy it
and be amazed and better understand the most important role in the criminal justice system today.
I am putting it on my law students reading list now.”
~ Joe McCormack, Bureau Chief, Bronx District Attorney’s Office, New York & Adjunct
Professor, St. John’s School of Law
“In my 20 years with the Justice Department and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, I have had
nearly 100 federal trials. I found The Best Story Wins to be an excellent read with incredibly helpful
and practical suggestions for those prosecutors (young and old) who will or have actually tried countless cases before juries. Any trial—large or small—is a unique experience that can be
extremely stressful and fraught with indecision, trepidation, and fear; The Best Story Wins is a
wonderful talisman for those volatile emotions that cannot always be avoided in the hearty soul of
a trial warrior.”
~ Gene Rossi, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief, Specials Unit, U.S. Attorney’s Office,
Eastern District of Virginia
“This book is a treasure for all new prosecutors and those who train or supervise them. Mr.
Bobo, a nationally recognized trainer of new prosecutors, presents a work as welcoming as a
conversation with a good friend. He lays out practical insights about the nuts and bolts of doing
the work and includes a candid and frank discussion of the rewards and challenges for all who
choose to start their workday announcing: ‘READY FOR THE PEOPLE, YOUR HONOR’.”
~ Frank Horowitz, Former State Director, DUI Prosecution Project, California District
Attorneys Association
“A prosecutor with more cases than she can handle has no time to read a how-to book, yet it’s
exactly what she needs. And, this book is the answer! It’s so much fun and the advice is
practical: what it’s really like day in and day out. It’s also a great reminder that being a
prosecutor truly is the best job you’ll ever have…so enjoy it!”
~ Kimberly Fogarty Kinzie, former Massachusetts prosecutor and staff attorney at the
Massachusetts District Attorneys Association
“This book should be required reading for anyone starting or even considering a career as a
prosecutor. Clear, unvarnished information from people who have faced the challenges and
succeeded in protecting public safety as well as their own sanity!”
~ Creg G. Datig, Director, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program, the California
District Attorneys Association
“The Best Story Wins is not just a book for new prosecutors. Anyone who has been or ever
wanted to be a prosecutor will enjoy the advice, stories and stylistic witticisms of the author. The
chapter about the dangers of burnout should be required reading for every prosecutor spouse. John Bobo has given us a tool that will help retain new prosecutors by helping them better
understand the public service profession they have joined."
~ Thomas E Kimball, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Tennessee District Attorneys
General Conference
“Refreshing, practical, personalized and fun to read. Bobo's book is a fire hose that you will
come back to drink from over and over again. Bobo explores all the in’s and out’s that new
prosecutors face in their personal and professional relationships.”
~ Irene Bardot, Assistant Attorney General, Organized Crime Task Force, State of New
York’s Attorney’s General Office.
“Four years of college, three years of law school, and we learn virtually nothing about
prosecuting cases in the real world. John serves as a terrific surrogate ‘buddy’ through his book as
only he can. Every starting prosecutor can benefit from his extensive experience and advice.”
~ Stephen K. Talpins, CEO of the National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime
Copyright 2011 Tower Publishing, 588 Saco Road, Standish, ME 04084. All rights are reserved. 1-800-969-8693
