A great first-person account of a self-taught lawyer who stood up to the establishment in China, especially when it came to disability rights and fighting against the brutal practices used to enforce the "One Child" policy. If only more people in the Middle Kingdom had the guts of Guangcheng Chen , perhaps democracy and human rights would finally come to the country.

Those of us who are sighted and live in a free, democratic country will never fully appreciate what Guangcheng Chen underwent. "The Barefoot Lawyer" is his story and talks of his fight against injustice, discrimination, and jut plain inhumane treatment. Why was he discriminated against? Because he was blind; and more importantly dared to question his treatment. Guangcheng was determined not to settle for a 'career' as a fortuneteller or storyteller which was the lot of blind people in his village. He stood up for his rights and those of other disabled people and poor villagers and paid an inordinate price. A very well-told, captivating memoir.