Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law book cover

Doing Justice

A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law

Preet Bharara
4.27(5826 Reviews)

Overview of Doing Justice

Former prosecutor Preet Bharara's masterclass on justice unveils the moral complexities behind high-profile cases. Praised by Jeffrey Toobin as "a vivid memoir," this book asks: What separates fair punishment from revenge? The answer reshapes how we understand America's legal system.

Key Themes in Doing Justice

  • prosecutorial ethics
  • investigative skepticism
  • legal truth-seeking
  • criminal justice philosophy
  • due diligence failures

Quotes from Doing Justice

  • Justice springs as much from the heart as from the head.

  • Living with constant cynicism is exhausting.

  • Blind trust based on appearances is foolishly naive.

  • True toughness comes from strength of character, not intimidation or force.

Characters in Doing Justice

  • Preet BhararaFormer U.S. Attorney and author of the book
  • Hassan NemazeeBusinessman who defrauded banks of $290 million
  • Lyle and Erik MenendezBrothers who confessed to killing their parents
  • Kenny McCabeQuintessential investigator of the mob

About the Author

About the Author of Doing Justice

Preetinder Singh Bharara, bestselling author of Doing Justice: A Prosecutor’s Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law, is a renowned legal expert and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (2009–2017). His career prosecuting high-stakes cases—from terrorism and Wall Street fraud to organized crime and political corruption—anchors the book’s exploration of justice, ethics, and institutional integrity.

A Distinguished Scholar in Residence at NYU School of Law and partner at WilmerHale, Bharara amplifies his insights through the award-winning podcasts Stay Tuned with Preet and Café Insider, reaching millions globally.

His work has earned recognition from TIME (2012 "100 Most Influential People") and Bloomberg Markets, cementing his authority on legal and civic issues. Doing Justice debuted as a New York Times bestseller, reflecting its resonance in debates about fairness and accountability in modern society.

Download Summary of Doing Justice

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