Synopses & Reviews
In the early 90s, Big Tobacco was making a killing. There was no entity more powerful, and national tobacco-related deaths numbered in the hundreds of thousands each year. The economic loss from smoking-related illnesses was billions of dollars. And yet, Big Tobacco had never paid a nickel in court.
Until one Southern, small-town lawyer figured out how Florida could sue Big Tobacco to reimburse the state for health care costs. The end result? Beyond the $13 billion settlement, hundreds of thousands of American lives have been, and will continue to be, saved.
Meet Fred Levin. Called by his own son a philanthropist and a cockroach,” Fred Levin is no ordinary attorney, and his remarkable story is far from squeaky clean.
In And Give Up Showbiz?, New York Times bestselling author Josh Young works closely with Levin to give readers a glimpse into the extraordinary and entertaining life of the top trial lawyer who was a pioneer in establishing American personal injury law. Seen as an inspiring innovator by some and a flamboyant self-promoter by others, Levin has not only fought against Big Tobacco, he has won victories for women, African Americans, and workers everywhere.
Levins unprecedented legal career is just one aspect of his roller-coaster life story. From managing one of the worlds greatest boxers to avoiding multiple disbarment attempts, and from becoming a chief in the country of
Ghana to even being a person of interest in two separate murder investigations, his story reads like a novel suitable for the silver screen. And Give Up Showbiz? is both shockingly candid and wildly funny.
Review
"Its not a typical biography. Instead, its like reading a collection of well-spun yarns. You almost feel as if youre in the same room with Levin and Young as Levin tells one amazing-but-true story after another."
The National Trial Lawyers Association
"Because of what Fred did to bring Big Tobacco to its knees, he likely is responsible for saving 100,000 American lives each year. Im proud to have him as one of my law partners."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
"A Jewish trial lawyer from a small Southern town is named national boxing manager of the year and then made a chief of Ghana. It could only happen in America, and it could only happen to Fred."
Don King
"He makes people feel comfortable with who they are and with what he is doing for them. He has done a lot for the African American community. He also throws amazing parties."
Emmitt Smith III, NFL all-time leading rusher
"[The] Fred Levin I knew will always be a superstar in my mind."
Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
"[Fred Levins] success against the powerful on behalf of those with few champions has earned him election to the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame... Fred wins when most lose because he has true passion for justice."
Morris Dees, founder, Southern Poverty Law Center
"...one of the most fascinating people I have ever met."
Terdema Ussery, Dallas Mavericks President
"Fred Levin is one of the most talented lawyers in the history of the state of Florida."
Reubin Askew, former Governor of Florida
"Explosive new book . . . Upcoming blockbuster biography about Fred Levin."
GLOBE magazine
About the Author
Josh Young is a bestselling author whose works spans entertainment, business, politics, science and natural history. He has coauthored five
New York Times bestsellers and two national bestsellers. He is the coauthor of comedian Howie Mandel's
Here's The Deal: Don't Touch Me,
You're Only As Good As Your Next One with Mike Medavoy,
Dr. Sam Parnias Erasing Death: The Science That Is Rewriting The Boundaries Between Life And Death, and
The Link: Uncovering Our Oldest Ancestor with Colin Tudge, which has been translated into five languages. Additionally, he is the coauthor of
Pure Imagination: The Making of 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' and David Attenborough's First Life: A Journey Back in Time with Matt Kaplan. On the film side, Josh served as Production Consultant on
White House Down (June 2013). As a journalist, Josh has contributed to
George magazine,
Entertainment Weekly,
LIFE magazine,
The New York Times Sunday,
The New Republic,
Details,
The (London) Sunday Telegraph, and
Los Angeles.