The only biography of America’s most controversial lawyer. Legal Gladiator is the story of perhaps the greatest lawyer in American history. It is the story of a poor, failing high schooler from Brooklyn who became the youngest professor in the history of Harvard Law School, where Ted Cruz, Natalie Portman, Mike Pompeo, Jamie Raskin, and others sat under his tutelage. It is the story of a passionate Zionist who advocated for Israel on the world stage and became a confidant of Israeli prime ministers, including Benjamin Netanyahu. And it is the story of a zealous young liberal who, as an old man, stood in front of the Senate to declare that they would be violating the Constitution by removing a Republican president he himself opposed. As a lawyer, Alan Dershowitz has had a major impact on the most notorious legal cases in modern U.S. history. From Claus von Bulow to Mike Tyson to O.J. Simpson to Jeffrey Epstein to Donald Trump, he has devoted his life to championing the bedrock principle of the American justice system: that every person—no matter how despised—has the right to a rigorous legal defense. Legal Gladiator explores Dershowitz’s rise to prominence, gives the inside story of his most high-profile cases and controversies, and provides a shockingly intimate look into his personal life. Dershowitz gave author Solomon Schmidt unprecedented access to his personal and professional life, including his private archives at Brooklyn College and dozens of interviews with him virtually and in New York City, Miami, Martha’s Vineyard, and Israel. This book includes exclusive interview content from Bob Shapiro, Jeffrey Toobin, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Glenn Greenwald, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Eliot Spitzer, Justice Stephen Breyer, Mike Huckabee, Woody Allen, Noam Chomsky, Jared Kushner, Geraldo Rivera, Mark Levin, Mike Pompeo, Megyn Kelly, Mike Tyson, Ted Cruz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., O.J. Simpson, and Donald Trump, among others.     “Alan Dershowitz's clear-headed defence of the rule of law and his fearless stances on behalf of the Jewish people and their nation-state make him a fascinating person to study and learn from. Solomon Schmidt has written a captivating story that highlights Alan's rise to prominence and his work on behalf of dissidents, U.S. presidents, and notorious criminals alike. This is a significant new biography about a significant figure. Do read it." - Lord Daniel Finkelstein, OBE, former executive editor of The Times ; member of the House of Lords; author of the bestselling Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad   "Alan Dershowitz has consistently, courageously championed the rule of law and civil liberties, even when the immediate beneficiaries are unpopular, and even when his principled advocacy has made him unpopular. His lifelong devotion to defending the rights of all people - no matter who they are or what they believe - mirrors our legal system's promise of ‘liberty and justice for all.' Solomon Schmidt has turned Alan's compelling life story into a compelling book." - Nadine Strossen, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law Emerita, New York Law School; Past National President, American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008)   "The Alan Dershowitz I know today is the same Alan Dershowitz I knew when I was a student of his at Harvard Law School. He is a principled man who cares deeply about the Constitution. As well, his public defense of Israel and the counsel he has shared with multiple presidential administrations has helped Israel remain a strong and vibrant country. This important biography by Solomon Schmidt is an objective and fascinating look at Professor Dershowitz's life story. It should be read by all those who care about the rule of law and the welfare of the nation-state of the Jewish people." - Mike Pompeo, Director of the C.I.A. (2017-2018) and 70th Secretary of State (2018-2021); author of the bestseller Never Give an Inch   "Alan Dershowitz is perhaps the greatest living lawyer in America. His knowledge of the law and reverence for the Constitution and its protections for EVERY citizen are unmatched. It's been my privilege to get to know him. I have told him that, despite the fact he is a liberal and probably would never vote for me, I do ask two things of him if I ever call him in the middle of the night. One, take the call. Two, I'm guilty and I REALLY need him! He has lived the equivalent of several lifetimes, but somehow Solomon Schmidt has fit it all into one authoritative and compelling story of Alan Dershowitz." - Mike Huckabee, governor of Arkansas (1996-2007); presidential candidate; bestselling author and host of the TV show Huckabee on TBN   "Solomon Schmidt has written a compelling and important book Legal Gladiator about one of the most influential and controversial lawyers and advocates of our time, Alan Dershowitz. My relationship with Alan goes back to the first class, the first day, I took at Harvard Law School, his Introduction t