As Far as I Remember

This candidly written autobiography of Sir Michael Kerr chronicles the life of one of Britain's most prominent judges of the 70s and 80s from his continental childhood up to his career in the Court of Appeal and beyond. In the first part of his memoir, the author traces his family history and Germanic roots. His father, Alfred Kerr, was a well-known dramatic critic and essayist, whose writings were widely known throughout Germany. But because of the fame of his anti-Nazi writings and broadcasts, the Kerrs were forced to flee from Berlin as early as March 1933, when Hitler came to power. The later chapters of this autobiography are mainly devoted to the law. They recount the author's career, culminating in his appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal. He describes the Bar of the post-war decades and is frank about the frustrations and disappointments of his career. He also provides insights into the oddities of the English legal system, but maintaining throughout his firm belief in the importance of an independent Bar.