Book Review: Weird 365: Weird Criminal Law Stories for Every day of the Year by Professor Birdsong

 

Having worked in law enforcement once upon a time--I have always enjoyed real life accounts of criminals caught in the act or those doing something so stupid that their actions land them in trouble.  I read and reviewed Professor Birdsong's Women in Trouble, Volume VI of his Weird Criminal Law Stories last summer--and knew that I had to read his latest, Weird 365:  Criminal Law Stories for Every Day of the Year.  What did I think of Birdsong's latest collection of Weird Criminal Law Stories?

Quick Summary of Professor Birdsong’s Weird 365: Weird Criminal Law Stories for Every day of the Year:  This time the professor uses his expertise and experience in criminal law to bring forth his “365” weird criminal law stories for each day of the year. This is his funniest volume of criminal law stories mostly from around the States to date. This book covers more than a lot of silly and unlawful conduct one could imagine. Full of his witty “Birdsong” commentary and observations the book is sure to deliver some great laughs. There’s a story about the 54-year-old man who attempts to perform an exorcism on his 80-year-old girlfriend to get the devil out of her; a story about a Czech man who uses a chain saw to slice his way back into a restaurant after closing time; a story of an alleged child pornographer caught downloading child porn on his phone while being question at police headquarters; a story about a Tennessee man who had a stroke who thought he was dying confessed to a 1977 murder – he didn’t die and now is facing a murder charge; a “drunken dummy” or two; and a wide variety of just plain, stupid criminals that make this anthology worth reading.

Birdsong serves up short, daily doses of weird, criminal antics. In keeping with the other volumes, this book continues to offer short paragraphs of criminal news stories from around the world.  Birdsong breaks this book down into monthly chapters--focused mostly within the United States--with a story for each day of the month.  Birdsong adds a little personal commentary to many of the stories.
 

Would I recommend Weird 365: Weird Criminal Law Stories for Every day of the Year by Professor Birdsong?  The tales of weird, unfortunate and just plain stupid crimes and criminals featured by Birdsong are often good for a chuckle or, at least, an eye roll.  I didn't find these as funny as the other volumes that I have read.  There did not seem to be as many notable Birdsong's sarcastic side notes included as there were in other volumes--and those are just the key to these books for me.  I really do love reading these--and having at least a few, "What were they thinking?" and "WHY would you even TRY to do that?" moments--and do recommend Birdsong's Weird Criminal Law Stories to anyone who enjoys laughing at stupid human tricks.  Although this one wasn't the best of the series, in my opinion--it still offers funny peeks at the criminally stupid and would make a fun stocking stuffer or lighthearted gift.    

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About the author:

Professor Birdsong received his J.D. from the Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Howard University. He teaches law in Orlando, Florida. After graduation from law school he worked four years at the law firm of Baker Hostetler. He then entered into a varied and distinguished career in government service. He served as a diplomat with the U.S. State Department with various postings in Nigeria, Germany and the Bahamas. Professor Birdsong later served as a federal prosecutor. After leaving government service, and before he began teaching, Professor Birdsong was in private law practice in Washington, D.C. Twitter | Website | Email

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