Category: Memoir / Law
Release Date: July 5, 2022
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-57869-088-6
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-57869-089-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021925195
eBook ISBN: 978-1-57869-090-9
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SYNOPSIS

Judge Pineles' fascinating and highly readable memoir describes his formative years, his legal and judicial career in Vermont spanning three decades, and then his improbable journey as a rule of law adviser in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, followed by a prestigious international judgeship in Kosovo. There, he adjudicated serious cases of war crimes, judicial corruption, murder, narco trafficking, and the notorious Medicus human organ trafficking case that garnered worldwide media attention. He candidly relates both his successes and failures, and lessons learned. The book includes a postscript that explains the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

PRAISE

“A compelling account by a distinguished Vermont judge who seeks to uphold the rule of law in a part of the world that ‘repays blood with blood.’ Always attuned to humanity, Dean Pineles takes us on a journey that can be harrowing or humorous, but leaves readers with a profound appreciation of the devastating consequences when a society values vendettas more than victims, and power more than precedent.”

–Jeffrey Amestoy, former Chief Justice Vermont Supreme Court and author of Slavish Shore: The Odyssey of Richard Henry Dana Jr.

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“This book provides a fascinating insight into the minutia of international justice.  Judge Pineles’ account highlights the many challenges faced by those tasked with actually implementing ambitious mandates, and the difficulties inherent in navigating both bureaucracy and political interests at both local and international levels.”

–Aidan Hehir, University of Westminster, London, and co-editor of Kosovo and Transitional Justice: The Pursuit of Justice After Large-Scale Conflict

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“My EULEX [European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo] colleague Judge Dean Pineles came to Kosovo with the training, education, and experience of an outstanding judge and had an immediate impact on his Kosovar and international colleagues. Judge Pineles sought out and was assigned to some of the most important cases that came before EULEX Judges. This book is a good, educational, and sometimes hilarious account of his and our time in Kosovo. A great read that brought back many good memories about the work and the wonderful people of Kosovo.”

–Judge Charles Smith III, international criminal judge, Kosovo Special Chambers, The Hague, Netherlands

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“What an interesting life Dean Pineles has lived. Commissioner of Labor and Industry, governor’s counsel, and Vermont trial judge were enough to make a career, but after those jobs Judge Pineles became an international criminal judge, hearing cases of war crimes and human organ trafficking in Kosovo and providing training on rule of law and jury trials. His is a life of service and dedication, and he reveals himself in this memoir as a good man and a good judge.”

–Paul Gillies, author of The Law of the Hills: A Judicial History of Vermont  

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“The memoir authored by Judge Pineles provides marvelous insight into his pathway to the noble work he performed as a principled advocate for international rule of law in post-conflict and developing countries…Judge Pineles’ navigation from taxi driver during law school to an intrepid judge on foreign territory is remarkable, because the adventures and challenges that he confronted in international settings reflect jurisprudential courage, notwithstanding periodic risks to his safety. Judge Pineles and his work set a high bar for those who work in the international rule of law field, and his story should be read for the important lessons that it teaches.”

–Michael Cuniff, international rule of law practitioner (Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Pakistan and Ethiopia)

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“This is the inside story of justice delayed and frequently denied in post-war countries, despite the best efforts of skilled prosecutors and jurists, deployed to advance the rule of law and justice for all persons. The incendiary politics and conflicted policies of the international community are exposed during the trial of the high-profile Medicus case, an indictment against organ trafficking in the Balkans that shocked the conscience of Europe and beyond—with EU institutions and the governing elite willing to concede the defeat of  justice, in the name of regional stability.”

—Jonathan Ratel, Medicus chief prosecutor

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“Dean Pineles offers a delightful, entertaining account of his career in the international arena, where he worked to build rule of law in a variety of countries as they emerged from dictatorship or conflict. Anyone who reads this will gain an appreciation for how challenging, and how rewarding, this work can be.”

—Clint Williamson, 3rd United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes

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“It is extremely rare in the annals of international jurisprudence and war crime prosecutions to get an international justice’s perspective; as a consequence, this compelling memoir by Judge Pineles who was on the ground in Kosovo is required reading for anyone trying to understand how international criminals are held accountable.”

—Philip Kearney, international prosecutor and author of Under the Blue Flag: My Mission in Kosovo 

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“Judge Pineles' book opens a door to the world of international criminal and humanitarian law and allows us a view of not only the issues, but the people who attempt to make this system work. The development of the rule of law is a still a delicate balancing act that doesn't lend itself to binary judgements and suppositions - contrary to popular thought. But more importantly, Pineles' memoir allows us a nuanced view behind the robes for a deeper understanding of the people who work in this sector and often have to navigate through discontent on all sides.”

—Bronwyn Jones, American journalist in Kosovo

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“Dean Pineles provides a roadmap to a world now at the epicenter of conflict. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 makes Pineles' personal story all the more valuable as a way to understand the places and characters at the center of this conflict. His journey as a Vermont lawyer working globally to strengthen the rule of law should give us all hope that even in war ravaged nations, good people—like Pineles—are helping to make the world better.”

—David Goodman, Vermont author, journalist, and radio & podcast host

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“Pineles combs his experience as a judge for the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) for two and a half years to illuminate the way international law and justice actually develop—or stall—in a war-affected country like Kosovo.  In theory, an international juridical organization like EULEX should move ahead even on sensitive cases, whereas a purely local court or panel could get mired by political influence.  As Pineles explains, the reality can be quite different.  Justice can be frustrated by turf battles, bureaucracy, incompetence, lack of political will when needed, poor communication and even corruption.  Anyone interested in justice in the Balkans—or interested in utilizing international panels in post-conflict settings—should read this book.”

—Edward P. Joseph, Lecturer and Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

REVIEWS & IN THE NEWS

VTDigger, June 23, 2024: Dean Pineles: On the 40th anniversary of the raid at Island Pond, the fundamental dilemma lingers

Seven Days VT, January 11, 2023: Page 32: Short Takes on Five Vermont Books 

Burlington Free Press, December 7, 2022: Warm up this winter with these books by, for and about Vermonters

StoryComic, September 8, 2022: VIDEO-Storycomic Presents: Judge Dean B. Pineles, Vermont Author of ‘A Judge’s Odyssey”

The Montpelier Bridge, September 6, 2022: Book Review by Bernie Lambek: ‘A Judge’s Odyssey’

NewPages.com, July 28, 2022: Book Review :: A Judge’s Odyssey

Rutland Herald, July 26, 2022: Judge's memoir examines law here and abroad

Vermont Conversation, a VTDigger Podcast, July 24, 2022: Delivering justice from Island Pond to Kosovo

Vermont Community Newspaper Group, StoweToday.com, July 21, 2022: Stowe man, former judge releases memoir; book signing is July 30

Balkan Transitional Justice, July 19, 2022: US Judge’s Memoir Delivers Verdict on Justice in Kosovo

Vermont Bar Journal, Volume 48, No. 1, Spring 2022 Issue: Book Review.

MEET THE AUTHOR