The Book “Lessons From the Admiral,” Gets My Highest Praise

Dear Sir Mark C. Fava,

Your book is ridiculously good. I got up through page xiv and 5 and then died. I had to stop reading and pen this note.

No. 1️⃣: Your book is exceptionally written. Let me say that again. Your book is exceptionally written.

That is the highest possible praise I, Amanda Dealy Haverstick, could possibly say to an author.

It is praise I rarely bestow. Not on anyone, including myself—as I hold myself to a ridiculously high standard.

But I wrote “GOLD COPY” in the margins in several places in the book already.

I never do that.

👉 Your book is a demonstration of the type of impeccable legal writing, engaging tone, and captivating cadence that is needed in a litigation brief.

So exceptionally done.

Bravo.

No. 2️⃣: I feel like everything in here could be made into a story about a law firm associate.

Everyone starting in Big Law should read your book.
Every associate of any year should read your book.
Those are big statements.
I mean them.

Again, bravo.

No. 3️⃣: I don’t read for pleasure. I hate books as a rule. They are work to me.

But yours is an absolute delight!

With most books, it is onerous to propel myself along through each sentence. But with yours, the cadence of the writing carries me as the reader along with the prose. It is like a treadmill carrying me.

{MY WRITING LESSONS TO SELF:

Sometimes, a writer has to make the pace go slowly.

When you are guiding a reader into the start of your book or the start of a new chapter or the start of a new section in a chapter, you have to draw them in gradually but assertively.

Otherwise, they might say, “No thanks” and jump off the treadmill, choosing not to exercise their reading eyes on your book after all.

But if you do it just right, you have your reader and can draw them in gradually until they are in so deep they are hooked.

When reading your book, I feel like a treadmill carrying me along.

You hooked this very picky reader!}
 
⬇️

So bravo, my friend, and let’s go—

👉 We need to get this book out there to all junior & mid-level lawyers everywhere, and I am all in to help you.

💌 Amanda

P.S. I love the size of your book, and I love that it is in hard copy with large print & generous spacing between the lines. Your book is the perfect size for an associate to carry around in a briefcase.

The font size, bolding, spacing, and general presentation are perfect and memorable.

The colors look good, too. 🙂

P.P.S. As for me and to explain this photo, I came down to Puerto Rico with Matt and friends for the weekend.

(And I am sitting on the bed looking out at the waves through the second-floor sliding doors that go out the deck at the hotel room I’m staying in. Your book makes for the perfect vacation pastime. Thank you.)

***
Lessons from the Admiral, by Mark C. Fava : This is a book I am psyched to read!