Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining: America's Toughest Family Court Judge Speaks Out

• If you want to eat, you have to work.

• If you have children, you'd better support them.

• If you break the law, you have to pay.

• If you tap the public purse, you'd better be accountable.

Now she abandons all judicial restraint in a scathing critique of the system--filled with realistic hard-nosed alternatives to our bloated welfare bureaucracy and our soft-on-crime laws.

The book covers a variety of social issues in the context of her legal and judicial experience, and she does a full court press in giving her opinions. Not given to judicial restraint, she speaks out on those issues to which her nearly quarter of a century experience as a judge has entitled her. I only wish that she were running for public office. She would certainly have my vote.

The only issue that I take with the book is that it is really not a cohesive entity. It is a somewhat disjointed collection of essays or opinions on various social issues that repeatedly came up during her years on the bench. There is no attempt to put them together into a broader context, so that one segues into the next. This is the one shortcoming of the book. Nonetheless, it is still an interesting read.


The book was "BAD! " (meaning great!)   November 19, 1999
Faye Knight (Michigan)
19 out of 23 found this review helpful

This book should be on EVERY book shelf in America! I've read it twice. matter of fact, I purchased both books that were written by Judge Judy. I have so much respect for her because she tells it just like it SHOULD be told. As I watch her t.v. program, it amazes me to see how families could sue one another! I would NEVER sue any members of my family. I've learned many things from watching her program. Among many, these are at the top of the line: NEVER, EVER loan family members money and NEVER, EVER co-sign for ANYBODY to buy anything! I strongly practice these two important lessons. If I choose to help a family member, you can bet your last dollar, it will be a gift! This way, I'll never expect repayment, and our friendship will remain in tact!


Whatever You Do, Don't Mess With This Lady!   March 26, 2003
James Paris (Los Angeles, CA USA)
19 out of 23 found this review helpful

I don't normally read books that are ghostwritten. This one, however, was not only informative but wildly entertaining. See Judge Judy skewer self-proclaimed victims, lazy attorneys, callous bureaucrats, unwed teen mothers, craven foster parents, and in general anyone who while serving themselves degrades the lives we all lead in this land of ours.

The only negative I can think of is that, too often, points that need more detail end up as truncated sound bites. By making her points as succinctly as possible, Judge Judy has justifiably won for herself quite a following -- although the book's trenchant style is not dissimilar to her TV appearances, so I can't blame the ghost writer. I guess I'm just too much of a detail wonk to feel comfortable with short shrift on major subjects. Give me facts, footnotes, and all those other scholarly trappings that take me beyond the level of the merely anecdotal.

But this book is not meant for people like me, though I can enjoy it as much as anyone. Judge Judy's elevation of COMMON SENSE to a principle of jurisprudence is guaranteed to make you think, even if it doesn't satisfy all bases.


Tough reality from a tough lady!   August 20, 2000
Jack Guthrie (Fresh Meadows, NY United States)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

To sum this book up in one sentence is reality with no excuses allowed. This book chronicles Sheindlin's experiences as one of NYC's top family court judges. Sheindlin gives the lowdown on how those who have appeared before her always try to find a scapegoat for their misfortunes and shortcomings. However, Sheindlin is no fool because she can see these people for what they are. Most of them are just ordinary people who fail to take responsibility for their mistakes. People who constantly blame society for their own problems. People who run the gamut with excuses for everything that has gone wrong in their lives without once looking at themselves. From deadbeat dads to irresponsible moms and everything in between, Sheindlin can tell the truly misfortunate from the con artists. I couldn't put this book down. It was such an awesome piece of work. I totally recommend this book to anyone. After reading about Judge Sheindlin's 20+ years as a lawyer and judge, you'll see why it's titled "Don't Pee On My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining."