Shysterism U.S.A.
Albuquerque: Fox Publishing, [1970]. Third Edition. “Shysterism, U.S.A., is an Exposé of the legal profession, bar associations, judges, and our American Courts & those responsible for the incredible farce we have masquerading as justice in the system as operated in America today. This blistering attack will be delivered with sledge-hammer blows, & cold rapier thrusts, jabs and sweeps in an attempt to cleanse one of the most incredible ‘rackets’ ever saddled on man-kind” (from the Prologue). Includes 23 cartoons, “which in themselves tell the story,” as well as ten proposed corrective measures.
The basis for Charles Meeker’s (1905-1987) book appears to be his own disbarment in 1966 following a complaint filed against him by the Committee on Ethics, Grievances and Discipline following numerous instances of “scandalous, misleading, reckless, abusive, disrespectful and offensive language directed to the Courts, parties and attorneys of New Mexico” (see In re Meeker, 76 N.M. 354, 414 P.2d 862 (N.M. 1966). He contends that the original publisher of Shysterism was threatened “by two attorneys claiming to represent a large bar association” and reneged on the contract forcing Meeker to self-publish the book. This experience led to his next book, How to Publish, Advertise, Distribute and Manufacture a Book at about One Fourth the Usual Cost Paid by Most Amateurs for the Same Work (1968). He also self-published numerous books on acupuncture, Folk Tales from the Far East Professor Monk: Oriental Tales, and a children’s book, Seven Nights and Seven Days.
Mass market format, 190 p., illustrated with cartoons. A strip of heavy foxing along the front edge, moderate elsewhere. Item #9192
Price: $45.00