Sign of the Cross: The Prosecutor's True Story of a Landmark Trial Against the Klan

By John W. Phillips

Book Overview

This is a prosecutor's harrowing -- and ultimately triumphant -- account of his struggle to punish the Ku Klux Klan for its acts of terror in southern California in the 1980's. Using actual testimony... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0664221963
• ISBN13: 9780664221966
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Length: 319 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Legal Drama

This is not just a story about a First Amendment battle to keep the klan in check. This is a story about who we are. In so many of the characters, I saw a little piece of myself - sometimes liking what I saw, sometimes not, but always reading on, to see which part of me pulled for which character. It's a great American story.

"Sign of the Cross" was Sensational!

It took me a few weeks to read the book, because I've had such a very hectic schedule lately. But, Sign of the Cross is a sensational True-to-Life Drama that kept me anxiously turning each and every page. The book was extremely well-written and I think we need more books like this one, so that people in our society can be aware of what's going on in society (both historically and currently).I would love to see the book adapted as a screen-play. I think it would make for a sensational film.

A Prosecutor's Inside Story of of His Trial to Stop the Klan

If you want true legal drama at its best, with insights into the inner workings of the Klan and the prosecutor who challenged it, this book will fascinate and captivate. First Amendment issues are eloquently presented by both sides. In this case, the Klan's freedom of speech is contrasted with a community's right to be free from fear. But can any one man perservere against an unwilling legal system and the most notorious terrorist groups in America?

A unique, informative, fascinating, source-based history.

John Phillips' Sign Of The Cross provides a prosecutor's true story of a trial against the Klan, and uses police records, courtroom proceedings and testimony in the course of relating Phillips' stormy legal battle against An involving history.

Great Book! Enjoyable and informative

Sign of the Cross is a riveting account of hate crime. It takes you deep into the mind of a prosecutor, and into the shadowy world of subversive forces he seeks to bring to justice. Mr. Phillip's book is very well written, and keeps you turning pages continuously. I would love to see a movie based on this book. A must read.