Twelve Angry Men (Penguin Classics)

I recently picked up Twelve Angry Men in the Penguin Classics edition, and I was absolutely blown away by its brilliance. This isn’t just a play—it’s a gripping exploration of justice, doubt, and human nature that feels as relevant today as it did when it was first written. If you love thought-provoking stories that pack a punch in under 100 pages, this is an absolute must-read. Pros: • Riveting Dialogue: The entire play unfolds in real-time in a single jury room, and every line crackles with tension. Rose’s writing is sharp and concise, pulling you into the minds of twelve very different men as they debate a life-or-death verdict. • Complex Characters: Despite having no names—just juror numbers—each character leaps off the page with distinct personalities. From the steadfast Juror 8 to the volatile Juror 3, you feel their emotions and biases in every word. • Powerful Themes: It’s a masterclass in questioning certainty and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular. The way it tackles prejudice, reason, and moral courage is both subtle and profound. • Perfect Length: Clocking in at around 70 pages, it’s short enough to read in one sitting but leaves you thinking for days. The Penguin Classics edition adds a sleek, durable format that’s great for revisiting. • Universal Appeal: Whether you’re into theater, law, psychology, or just a good story, this play hooks you. I’ve already recommended it to friends who don’t usually read plays—they loved it too! Cons: • Stage Directions Can Feel Dry: If you’re not used to reading plays, the sparse descriptions might take a moment to adjust to. It’s written for performance, so you have to imagine the action yourself. • Limited Setting: The single-room setting is part of its genius, but if you crave variety in scenery or pacing, it might feel claustrophobic—though that’s intentional. • Dated Context in Spots: Written in the 1950s, some social attitudes (like the all-male jury) reflect that era. It’s a minor quibble, since the core message transcends time. Twelve Angry Men is a flawless blend of suspense and substance—an unforgettable read that proves great storytelling doesn’t need flash to hit hard. This Penguin Classics edition is a gem I’ll keep on my shelf forever. Five stars, no deliberation needed!

I am going to direct this show in the fall so I am sure I going to read it a few more times. Written in 1957 and this stage play has not lost any relevance. I recommend that if you don’t read you should at least see it on stage. The voice acting is incredible but i don't understand the laugh track this story is anything but funny.

I’d been meaning to get around to this play and I’m glad I finally did. Great commentary on the importance of taking once’s civic duty seriously, and how our preconceived notions can affect who we’re willing to believe or disbelieve.

Excellent short book/play. Facts vs feelings vs prejudices vs lack of empathy. These and many other factors involved in how a jury determines whether the Defendant should live. Jury duty is not easy, but should be fair. Prejudices, self-interests should not be involved in decision -making.

A jury of twelve men determining the fate of one young man who's accused of, and on trial for, the murder of his father. The trial has taken place, the jury is now sequestered in the jury room to deliberate and decide the defendant's guilt or innocence. This is where it begins... I absolutely devoured this short two-hour audiobook and when I finished I had goosebumps and watery eyes. Yep, it's the 'emotional reader' in me surfacing once again. What you get with this audiobook is the experience of listening to the L.A. Theater Works production being performed by seasoned actors in front of a live audience. The acting is first rate and you'll recognize their names. I assure you, it's something you won't want to miss. Originally published on January 1, 1954, Twelve Angry Men has topics that look at our society and legal system through a magnifying glass. Although written 69 years ago the subject matter is still at the forefront of our American melting pot culture. It's stuff that matters. In my quest to read more classics, I was elated to rediscover a jewel. My hope is that you'll take the time to read or listen to this one, as well. I highly recommend it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

On April 24, 2008, I was fortunate enough to see a mesmerizing production of "Twelve Angry Men," the professional Equity touring company of the Roundabout Theatre's 2004 rendering of the play. The road company starred Richard Thomas as Juror Number 8, but this play is an ensemble acting piece, not a single star vehicle. In the play the all-white jurors have no names: #1 is the foreman, a high school football coach #2-a fairly neutral guy whose kid has the mumps #3-sadistic, has had run-in with his own son, nasty, says of the defendant, "He's got to burn." #4-a methodical note-taker who wears glasses #5-grew up in the slums #6-an ordinary Joe, a house painter #7-rabid sports fan who wants to be at his ball game, will change his vote just to get out of the jury room #8-an architect, man who has doubts, has courage to buck the crowd, without his kind, justice would perish #9-an observant old man #10-a racist who spouts his venomous bias about "them" #11-an immigrant with a German accent who has more faith in democracy than some native-born Americans #12-an advertising man who goes along with the crowd Jurors Numbers 3, 7, and 10 are the "bad guys." The jury is asked to render a death sentence verdict for a sixteen-year old troubled kid who is accused of killing his father. The first vote reveals eleven are in favor of a guilty verdict, and Juror Number Eight votes "not guilty" because he has doubts. The play is about the jurors' lack of understanding of the legal concept of "reasonable doubt." These are not impartial jurors. The boy's defense counsel did a poor job, but the jurors acted more on prejudice than on fair-mindedness. They were too quick to pull the switch on a human life. It's a melodrama in which everything happens too quickly. The audience has to suspend its disbelief for this play that was performed without an intermission when I saw it. The author uses gimmicks, but they work. Though the action of the play took place in 1954, it could take place today, because juries still haven't learned to grapple with "reasonable doubt."

(ISBN-10: 1580813402 and ISBN-13: 978-1580813402) Oh, that "Studio One" my generation watched on the telly. My mouth just waters at the thought of such excellence that regularly came into our living rooms as live broadcasts. "Twelve Angry Men" was originally written as a teleplay for the 'studio' by Reginald Rose, who is also in receipt of my kudos for writing the screenplay for the movie of the same name starring Henry Fonda, and this audio CD, which was directed by David Mamet. A real class act, this. We don't know which actor is which, except by a process of elimination of the voices we do know. The remainder we can guess about, and 'the back cover of the audio CD matches up juror number to actor, which may not be of help; jurors are not referred to by name or number' at all, and the actors are no slouches either. (Publisher's Weekly) Actually, identifying the actors is the least of our problems, for in brief, we are sequestered inside the jury room alongside the twelve, eleven of whom are fighting the holdout among them who has reasonable doubt. Their problems become our problems. They react to every little thing, e.g. whether the window should be opened on a really hot day -- as well as the most serious things possible, which manifest themselves as "the seemingly open and shut case turns complicated, igniting passions and hidden prejudices." ("Book Description," author unknown). What will they ultimately do? And what about us? Contemplate, if you will, the vaunted American Justice System as it is, up close. This is an L.A. Theater Works production with a full, splendid cast, produced in front of a live audience, and is sold in the L.A. Theater Works store on Amazon.com. You can't watch "Studio One" (they were probably saved on kinescopes anyway, the technology that preceded videotaping and resulted in fuzzy, grainy, and distorted products for showing in different time zones.) But you can listen to this and truly enjoy it, over and over again.

Bought the book for my ENG class. It was an okay book. Nothing too special.

El libro llegó en mal estado, está subrayado y tiene comentarios y anotaciones. Primera y última vez que compro algo usado. Obviamente lo devolveré, es una vergüenza que pagué por libro en pésimas condiciones.

All of us know this is Avery good play

Good

かつて英語初学者用に書き直された版を読んだことはあったがものたりなかったので、このたびオリジナル版を購入し読んだ。やはり迫力が違う。CDがあれば一緒に購入し、英語学習にいかしたいとも思う。

Great book. Was reading non stop because it's very well written. Definitely worth the read. A classic. Everyone should read it.