Moving the Bar

Michael Ratner (1943-2016) was a New York-based civil rights attorney and a lifelong socialist. He was president of the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for Constitutional Rights and the author of several books including The Trial of Donald Rumsfeld: A Prosecution by Book, Against War with Iraq, Guantanamo: What the World Should Know, and (with Michael Smith) Who Killed Che?: How the CIA Got Away With Murder.

“If you care as deeply and passionately as Michael Ratner, the suffering of the oppressed forces you to become a radical.” — Chris Hedges“He was fearless. He was outraged by outrageous things. He was inventive when the law stopped short of providing justice. And working with Michael let you experience the exhilaration of taking the law to places where it had never been.” — Peter Weiss, former vice-president of the Center for Constitutional Rights“Driven by love and compassion, Michael Ratner was the most tenacious and brilliant of lawyers” — Amy Goodman“A fascinating read that covers much radical U.S. history.” —Ajamu Baraka“Reading Michael Ratner’s Moving the Bar shows just how unusual he was in the crowded room of radical lawyers… especially when other radical lawyers fell by the wayside, and opted for money, fame and notoriety.” — CounterPunch“An honest, poignant, sprawling, remarkable, and inspiring account” — LA Progressive“One of America’s foremost human rights lawyers” — The Guardian“[A] lively, thoughtful and remarkable memoir” — Morning Star “Inspiring” — Mondoweiss“Concise and easy to read for all who care about justice… Candidly offers a glimpse of the thoughtful soul behind the legal legend.” — The Indypendent“A beautiful and compelling account from one of the leaders of the legal left” — David Cole, The Nation“A vivid memoir of a storied attorney” — The Progressive“The memoir of a great constitutional lawyer” — Radio Woodstock“A valuable guide for activists and attorneys looking to use the law as part of larger movements for justice” — Against the Current