A True Courtroom Drama of Tragedy at Sea - The Widow Wave

Gripping courtroom drama involving a mysterious boating accident, a fascinating search for the truth, and a climatic trail to reach a verdict. The tragic boating accident which begins the book happened just outside San Francisco in the Pacific in an area renown for rough seas and rapid changes to ocean conditions. What began as an accident quickly became a hard fought court case between the widow of the captain of the boat and the relatives of his guests. From the perspective of the attorney for the defense, we are introduced to an intriguing process of discovering what happened on that fateful day (the "discovery" period of the case). We see the meticulous process of gathering evidence, sifting through conflicting testimony, and interpreting small pieces of potential evidence which may be critical to the case. Naturally, the book concludes with a gripping courtroom denouement where the case is decided and the truth revealed.

Terrific book, on many levels! Gripping real life story, well told in first person. Gave real insights into the legal system in action and the myriad issues that have to considered and balanced under time and emotional pressures.If Jacobs can generate fiction as well as he recounts a real life experience we might be in for some future enjoyment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Widow Wave. I understood before I picked up the book that this was a retelling of a civil trial and I anticipated that it would read like one - a historical narrative that I might have to work at to enjoy. Not so. The author draws you in to this book from the opening chapter and he doesn't let you go until the last page. I was fascinated. This is a gripping legal story told by the attorney involved who is not afraid to expose his doubts and fears. Finally, the author is a great wordsmith! I look forward to further books by him.

As a former resident of San Francisco for 20 years I found this book mesmerizing and addictive. Mr. Jacob portrays both families in an intelligent and sympathetic way and never loses sight of the tragedy that will live with them forever. His description of the events and his understanding of the issues and personalities creates a reading pleasure that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. If this was Mr. Jacobs first literary endeavor then I hope it will not be his last.

I found this this book to be an interesting, intriguing and very readable account of a culpability trial involving maritime law, oceanography, geography, climatology, and seamanship all expressed in terms that a lay person can understand and evaluate. An intriguing "must continue reading" page-turner without the big, answers everything, surprise ending of a classic suspense novel.

Maynard C. Richmond
Staff Weather Officer
Lt Col, USAF Ret.

Having worked for many years in the court system, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jay Jacobs' book, The Widow Wave. Once I began, I could not put it down. His recounting of the entire process from trial preparation to verdict was informative and insightful. I was especially impressed by his client's unwavering defense of her husband's honor. I have seen a number of "Mr. Baum's" in the courtroom over the years and it always made a verdict for the other side especially gratifying.

This gripping true story captivated me from the very first page. Author Jay Jacobs, attorney for the defendant, was highly skilled in explaining the mysteries of the ocean's currents. This is a sea story, a courtroom drama and a widow's determination to clear her husband's name. 'The Widow Wave' is beautifully descriptive and well written. I highly recommend it to all readers.

Phew! I just finished The Widow Wave and feel like I've been through the emotional wringer of trying the case. I just picked up the book to peruse it but found myself hooked, reading late into the night and finishing early the next morning. A page turner it is. Besides giving information about the salmon charter business and various elements that contribute to rogue waves, I found fascinating the psychological insights into the different players in a courtroom trial.
It was also interesting how early pieces of seemingly not too important information later become key and how the various twists and turns of the trial can not be predicted. Jay Jacobs bares his soul as he shares his second guessing of certain decisions as well as his despair or delight as different elements of the trial unfold.

The Widow Wave is a fascinating true story. It is both educational and entertaining. The ins and outs of a court room trial are well presented for the lay person with some very interesting insights into jury selection and lawyer strategy. Once you start the book it is difficult to put down. Each chapter leaves you wanting to know what happens next. It is a most enjoyable read.

The Widow Wave was so captivating that it was difficult to lay the book down. When I did mark the page I could not wait to open the book up the the marker again and get started. I felt like I had a personal interest in the out come because of my past knowledge of the author, Jay Jacobs, when we were in high school and I wanted him to win the case from the very beginning. I'd recommend the book to young people interested in going into the Law profession.
William E. Travis

Being from Northern California and having fished out San Francisco Bay, I found The Widow Wave especially interesting and enjoyable to read. The book did an excellent job of developed all the mystery of the disaster of the sinking of the Aloha and it's effect on the families involved. The author's depiction of the personalities and egos of the attorneys as they build their arguments made me feel like I was in the courtroom.
A GREAT READ

This is a fascinating story that concerns the dangers that can occur to boaters from Puget Sound to San Diego. The always present rapid change in weather and sea conditions. Coupled with the court room drama that resulted in the tragic loss of the Aloha and the men that lost their lives. This is a must read for boaters and all who appreciate a good sea story, mystery and maritime law.

good story - poor editing (lots of replication in book chapters and way longer than necessary - ie: not a "tight" portrayal. Still - I hung in to the end and while how it turned out was somewhat of a surprise, why things happened the way they did was still not very clear. I'm glad I read it - just a little hard to enthusiastically recommend.

"Old trial lawyers tell and retell their war stories. "Widow Wave" by Jay W. Jacobs is not an old war story. It is a mesmerizing account of a sea tragedy and a trial lawyers, angst, foibles, wit, wisdom, skill and luck. Jacobs treats the reader to a rare combination of personal reflection, emotions, and the roller coaster of a trial. His legalese is pitch perfect and the true story of the loss of five fisherman off the coast of San Francisco reads like a "Perfect Storm" and "Into Thin Air". A must for anyone with a sense of adventure, mystery and a hankering for trial tactics and strategy. I could not put it down."

Melvin D. Honowitz, Esq.

This account of a tragic accident in the rough waters outside San Francisco Bay which took the lives of the five men on board, makes for an engrossing and exciting story. In defending the widow of the boat owner, the author relates all the classic elements of trial preparation and research to discover the truth of what happened. With descriptive and lucid prose, the individual personalities of all the witnesses, for the plaintiff and defense, are described as if you were in the courtroom observing them. It makes for a page turner of a book. Don't get started until you can read without stopping. Who knew all the legalese could be so interesting?

What a terrific courtroom drama this is! One widow suing another widow over the events of a boating accident that took both of their husbands. And they were all longtime friends. Jay Jacobs tells the story from the defense lawyer's perspective, and in the process he draws you into the intricacies of how a trial is constructed and executed. As good as any courtroom scenes on The Good Wife!

What a compelling true story, written in such a detailed and compassionate fashion. I truly couldn't put it down, once I began reading, and found myself wanting to flip ahead further. The technical information about waves was so interesting. Jacobs is a good writer, and I will recommend this book to friends and family.

I just finished reading Jay Jacobs' book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It gripped me from the very beginning and I simply couldn't put it down. In fact, I finished reading his book in two days. It reminded me of the Perfect Storm but with the tension of a courtroom drama added to it. I think it would make a great movie.

Be prepared to do little else while reading this book!! A gripping true story of a terrible tragedy at sea and the lawsuit that followed. The author-defense attorney and the widow of the boat owner are determined to clear the name and reputation of her late husband in what would appear to be a hopeless case. Beautifully written!

The excitement and anguish of trying a case before a jury is vividly brought to life by attorney and author Jay Jacobs. Anyone, layperson or attorney, will be riveted by the telling of this tragic ocean disaster of a fishing boat leaving from the San Francisco Bay and the ensuing litigation and representation of the captain's widow.

Robin Orme
Retired litigation attorney"

As an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction I was intrigued when my daughter sent me this book but set it aside for a time. When I began reading it I found it to be one of the most well written non-fiction books I have read in years. Jacobs has the ability, rare in non-fiction, to create a tale that reads like a fiction detective story. He develops characters as would a John D MacDonald, he uses dialogue to keep the story moving, a difficult task in a non-fiction story and he creates a "need to know" on the part of the reader that compels one to read to the end. It is a great insight into not only the workings of our judicial system but also into the mind of an attorney who is dedicated to his craft and his client.

A well-written read that you will keep you captivated until the end. Jay does a masterful job of taking the reader through even the most technical parts of the trial in a way that engages you and makes you want to learn more.

The Widow Wave is an exceptional narrative that illustrates with clarity how we arrange factual data, observation and emotions to shape or mold opinion in support of a preconceived or desired result.
George E. Jackman, retired, Cdr, USCG

This is a great courtroom story. The fact that it is a real case makes it all the better. Having tried many cases myself, I believe both lawyers and the public will learn from the book as well as simply enjoy it!

This book is a gallant attempt at making the legal process, in its real world application, exciting. Most who have studied law recognize the futility of such a task and novelists tackling the genre typically compensate by devoting considerable time to the development of character and back story. Jacobs, however, does not. And it is missed. To the author's credit, he does note that he was frequently out-done, at least procedurally, by the plaintiff's attorneys. The true stars of this book are the expert witnesses, and to them Jacobs should be forever grateful. And yet Jacobs can't be bothered to get the spelling right of his star witness (it's Rea Strange, not Rae Strange - a simple Google search would have been enough!). Strange was a leader in his field who provided the deciding testimony in numerous maritime cases. In a nod to pure fiction, Jacobs describes Rea Strange as a polyester-clad, squirming, science nerd. Having observed Strange on the witness stand numerous times, this assertion is absurd. Regardless, the book does manage to allow for a somewhat enjoyable, quick read.

I read the Widow Wave shortly after being fortunate enough to meet the author. What an interesting and humble man! The book is a real page turner. Having experiences on both large ships and small boats in horrible sea conditions combined with fascination with our legal system I found this book very exciting to read. Hey Jay - how about another book?