( 1 reviews )
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( 0 of 4 found this review helpful ) Posted: Aug 9 2005
Using classic literary sources as well as real trial histories, from Adam & Eve (on the cover in all their naked glory) to O. J. Simpson (travesty of justice) who got away with murder, this book has many instances in between the beginning and end. Written by a Professor of The University of Chicago Law School where he and my son Jeff got all of their degrees from Bachelors to Ph.D. Both learned men and both antagonists. He explores Christopher Marlowe's DOCTOR FAUSTUS, in all its negativity with the conflicting good and evil themes. As opposed to Goethe's masterpiece, FAUST, whose hero is saved at the last moment from the dreadful fate he had bargained for with the devil. Parts of the Marlowe play (he was murdered at the age of 29) were censored as theologically, also politically questionable. Bill played the lead in a performance at Martin College of Death in 'Death Takes A Holiday' as Faust surrenders his soul to the devil and curses his parents and his very existence. He seeks fame, seeks out the help of the Devil, which was not considered wicked. Both Lucifer and Mephistophilis are painfully ugly. Frederick March was a handsome devil in the movie. Sophocles' ANTIGONE, Thomas More, the Rosenbergs (Ethel and Julius), Dillinger, Joan of Arc, Jesus of Nazareth, were considered in the same vein as Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew. Strange. Goethe wrote, "We are shaped and fashioned by what we love." Dr. Anastaplo has previously written PLATO'S MENO, THINKER AS ARTIST, THE CONSTITUTIONALIST, and LIBERTY, EQUALITY & mODERN CONSTITUTIONALISM. He also teaches at Loyola and Dominican Universities in Chicago and has written numerous other books.
