A Civil Action
by Jonathan Harr
A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr holds a well received rating of 3.94 out of 5, based on 12K reader ratings. First published in 1995. The book spans 512 pages.
About A Civil Action
A Civil Action is a non-fiction book by Jonathan Harr about a water contamination case in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s. After finding that her child is diagnosed with leukemia, Anne Anderson notices a high prevalence of leukemia, a relatively rare disease, in her city. Eventually she gathers other families and seeks a lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, to consider their options.Schlichtmann originally decides not to take the case due to both the lack of evidence and a clear defendant. Later picking up the case, Schlichtmann finds evidence suggesting trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination of the town's water supply by Riley Tannery, a subsidiary of Beatrice Foods; a chemical company, W. R. Grace; and another company named Unifirst.In the course of the lawsuit Schlichtmann gets other attorneys to assist him. He spends lavishly as he had in his prior lawsuits, but the length of the discovery process and trial stretch all of their assets to their limit.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Jonathan Harr |
| Published | 1995 |
| Pages | 512 |
| Kindle Price | $12.99 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, History, Mystery & Thriller, Science, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 3.94 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 11,985 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is A Civil Action?
A Civil Action is categorized as Non-Fiction, History, Mystery & Thriller, Science. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is A Civil Action worth reading?
Based on 12K reader ratings, A Civil Action has an average score of 3.94 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is A Civil Action?
A Civil Action has 512 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote A Civil Action?
A Civil Action was written by Jonathan Harr. It was first published in 1995.
What is the ISBN for A Civil Action?
The ISBN-13 for A Civil Action is 9780679772680.0.
How much does A Civil Action cost on Kindle?
A Civil Action is available on Kindle for $12.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
