The Trial of the Chicago 7: The Official Transcript

By: Mark L. Levine - editor, George C. McNamee - editor, Daniel Greenberg - editor, Aaron Sorkin - introduction

Narrated by: J. K. Simmons, Jeff Daniels, Chris Jackson, John Hawkes, Chris Chalk, Luke Kirby, Corey Stoll, Norbert Leo Butz, George Newbern, full cast

Republished fifty years later to coincide with the release of the Academy Award–nominated film of the same title written and directed by Aaron Sorkin with an all-star cast, this is the classic account of perhaps the most infamous, and definitely the most entertaining, trial in recent American history.

In the fall of 1969 eight prominent anti-Vietnam War activists were put on trial for conspiring to riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. One of the eight, Black Panther cofounder Bobby Seale, was literally bound and gagged in court by order of the judge, Julius Hoffman, and his case was separated from that of the others.

The activists, who included Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and Tom Hayden, and their attorneys, William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass, insisted that the First Amendment was on trial. Their witnesses were a virtual who’s who of the 1960s counterculture: Allen Ginsberg, Timothy Leary, Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Norman Mailer, among them.

The defendants constantly interrupted to protest what they felt were unfair rulings by the judge. The trial became a circus, all the while receiving intense media coverage. The convictions that resulted were subsequently overturned on appeal, but the trial remained a political and cultural touchstone, a mirror of the deep divisions in the country. The Trial of the Chicago 7 consists of the highlights from trial testimony with a brief epilogue describing what later happened to the principal figures.

Critic reviews

"J.K. Simmons anchors this dramatization of the full transcript of the trial of the Chicago Seven, protesters at the 1968 Democratic Convention who were prosecuted by the federal government. Simmons does the heavy lifting as the obtuse and obstructionist judge who oversees the proceedings. The combative and willful ignorance of the judge comes through in Simmons's gruff delivery. The production values of this audiobook are stellar. There are full sound effects. When characters speak simultaneously, listeners are able to discern each voice. This dramatic work is a perfect way for listeners to experience this important historical document, as they will be able to hear the tone and intentions of those involved, as opposed to merely reading a dense court transcript."

“It is very good theater”

That is a quote from one of the defendants. This trial was a circus from start to finish. 5 months in jail for referring to the judge as mr Hoffman instead of your honor or judge Hoffman. This trial is an eye opening experience that America is not nor will it ever be infallible.

I recoupment profusely. Each defend gave a speech worthy of Hollywood. You will not be disappointed.

Astounding

Great cast and mind-blowing content. Astounding American history well presented, even for the layman.

A stellar review of the "highlights" of this case.

If you've seen the movie inspired by this case I highly recommend this book.

Utter insanity

I genuinely can’t believe that the whole trial just went like this, and that not many people know about it. At least I didn’t know about it, and I grew up in a Chicago, public school and high school. It’s just insane to me with how Miss managed the judge was, and how bad things went down, and eventually got corrected, this 10 hour long audiobook really is just a work of miracles in the worst way possible. What you’re listening to is American history, and the way that it is not hidden by the victors who write history, but the way that everyone saw the case from the plaintiff from the judge, to the bailiff, the jury and much more, you get to see the trial for what it is and the mismanagement that came with it although in transcript form, it still offers in great detail as to what happened shows you what many people don’t want to show you I would definitely recommend this as someone who doesn’t find themselves reading, or listening to audiobooks to take a listen to real unfiltered American history asked to show all of us that there are people who are above the law, and how we must fight against them.

Pure Fun

I was worried this would be boring. It isn't. I found myself laughing, getting angry, getting depressed, and getting inspired. It's a wild ride from start to finish.