Member Reviews

A book so simple, yet so powerful. Judge Caprio is an incredibly kind and empathetic leader who uses his power as a judge to truly enrich the lives of fellow Americans. Learning more about his life beyond the courtroom has truly opened my eyes to how he views life and how he sought to practice law, not to act punitively but to encourage growth from adversity.

Was this review helpful?

Judge Frank Caprio became a TV sensation because of his kindness in the courtroom. In his book, Judge Caprio shares his family background. He describes just how important his family and his experiences growing up shaped him into the person he is today. Judge Caprio also shares some of the stories from his courtroom that have stuck out to him. These stories are heartwarming and inspiring.

I highly recommend this book. The stories provide the reader with a sense of hope. They are also a testament to the goodwill in people.

Was this review helpful?

e-ARC from NetGalley.

I've been watching clips from Judge Caprio's courtroom for years now and have often found them moving. When I saw he had a whole book coming out about his experiences as a judge, I was excited to read it.

Unfortunately, this wasn't what I expected or wanted. I was under the impression that we would get more insight into the short videos we've seen on social media, plus maybe a little behind the scenes insight. But we didn't. We got very short, disjointed segments giving a general overview of his grandparents' lives in Italy or his political aspirations, but nothing that did more than barely brush the surface.

I wanted more depth.

My grandmother is also an eighty-something first-gen Italian-American who writes brief snippets from her lifetime. The writing is very similar, so maybe it's a "children of immigrants" thing, or maybe that's just how 80+ year old memoirists write. I don't know.

All I know is that, when the writing doesn't appeal to me, the story needs to. And, unlike my grandmother's experiences growing up on the West Coast & cleaning up the site of her mother's murder, this story didn't.

Sorry.

Was this review helpful?

Book 040 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I wish that Judge Caprio had read his own book, but fortunately, the narrator was really good.

I found out about Judge Caprio via his videos on Facebook. He epitomises kindness, wisdom, and care amongst other virtues all at once.

Some of the stories he shared about people who found themselves in his court were all too familiar.

His own personal story was a motivating one for sure.

What a wonderful role model. I loved every minute of the ebook and audiobook... he is a real saint.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18ZMqeVcuf/

I received a complimentary copy of both the ebook and the audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book040of350 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds

Was this review helpful?

I have loved seeing clips online of Frank so I was very excited to see his journey and stories of the courtroom.

Was this review helpful?

A memoir full of quality life lessons and wisdom. One of those books that left me thinking about how I can contribute more positively to the world. This is a quick and easy read, full of short stories from Judge Caprio's early life, upbringing, and days in the courtroom. I would recommend this to friends.

Was this review helpful?

I've always been very interested in the law. I was a part of mock trials in high school. I sought out legal shows and became active on "Lawtube" (the legal side of youtube). Caught in Providence was a show that caught my attention for all the right reasons. Court show: ✔️. Real: ✔️. A judge with empathy and compassion: ✔️. When I was browsing NetGalley and saw that Judge Caprio wrote a book, I knew I needed to read it.

I thought my favorite part of the book would be the legal stories. I was wrong. I loved every word. I loved reading about his family, his upbringing, his struggles, his triumphs, and the lessons he learned along the way. It's a very timely book, given everything going on in the US right now. His story is important and is an excellent example of the American Dream.

This was an excellent memoir, but it was also the best leadership book I have ever read. As I finished each chapter, I was learning and growing. I am also a public servant. I go to work every day wanting to help people and make a difference. In writing this book, Judge Caprio gave me numerous new reasons to look up to him.

Read it as soon as it's released!

Note: I received an ARC of this book at no cost to myself from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

I picked up this book because I love Caught in Providence, and it did not disappoint! Judge Caprio’s storytelling is heartwarming, relatable, and filled with the kind of wisdom and kindness that we all need more of in our lives. His anecdotes, drawn from his experiences as the son of immigrant parents, resonated deeply with me and reminded me of the stories my grandpa used to share.

Throughout the book, Caprio offers a glimpse into his life and career, blending humor, compassion, and life lessons in a way that makes the reader feel like they’re sitting down with an old friend. His unwavering belief in fairness, empathy, and second chances is truly inspiring. If we had more judges—and people—like Caprio, the world would undoubtedly be a much better place.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I first encountered Judge Frank Caprio through video clips on social media. His compassion and engaging demeanor immediately drew me in, and I quickly came to admire him. When I discovered his memoir, Compassion in the Court, I was eager to read it. The book is a collection of short stories that reveal the life experiences and values—compassion, respect, and understanding—that shaped the man he is today. Each story is a life lesson that offers inspiration and thought-provoking insights. I thoroughly enjoyed every page. If you are a fan of Judge Caprio, appreciate uplifting and reflective themes, or enjoy short stories, this book is a must-read!

Was this review helpful?

I first became familiar with this judge watching short videos of his court room on social media. I always loved how he took each individuals life circumstances into consideration.

In this book that is divided into parts, He shares of his childhood growing up in Providence Rhode Island. He speaks fondly his parents who came from immigrants. His family was poor but grew up happy and loved. He helped is father deliver milk during his childhood. Went on to college, taught school so he could go to law school at night to become a lawyer.

He also writes of being a lawyer then went on to be a judge. He speaks of the cases he had in traffic court and learning to show compassion for some of the people who came in. Some had some tough stories of how they owed these traffic violations. Over some of the years as a judge in traffic court were video taped and some shown on forums like facebook or youtube. Judge Frank Caprio writes of some of these cases and when he used compassion for certain situations.

This is why the book is called "Compassion in the Court" he gives examples of what he had learned over the years for not being Judgemental and look at the people and the circumstances that brought them to traffic court. He speaks fondly of his parents who were the first to teach him to care and be kind to others. I very much enjoyed reading his book and the lessons he would like for others to learn and to show compassion for others. High recommend thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and this amazing man for the arc to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

I became a fan of Judge Caprio through YouTube - I was drawn to his compassion for the people who came into his courtroom. This book is the story of how that compassion was birthed in him and the interesting story of his life thus far.

Judge Caprio's lessons are valuable ones and I find the Judge very inspirational. His book was very easy to read and the only thing that would make this better is hearing it in his own voice by audiobook.

I receive complimentary books for various sources, including Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

Was this review helpful?

very well written memoir discussing Justice Caprio's cases and how he found you need to show compassion and be understanding as an attorney and a judge. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. In Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories from America's Nicest Judge you get to read about Judge Frank Caprio. Judge Frank Caprio first caught my attention on a Facebook post. His treatment of people in his courtroom was inspiring. He tells his family history and his life story. He also tells some stories about cases that were in his courtroom. The way Judge Caprio ran his courtroom should be an example to all Judges. I already had a great respect for him prior to reading this book but after reading this book I am in absolute awe of him. I did not want to put this book down once I starting reading it. This book is heartwarming. I may have needed a tissue a time or two due to how good of a person Frank Caprio is and his acts of kindness. If you read one biography this year, make it this book.

Was this review helpful?

I was a lucky person to get to read "Compassion in the Court" by Frank Caprio, from NetGalley. I had seen a few moments of him on YouTube and Facebook posts. He sat as a judge in Rhode Island. In this book that is divided into parts, He shares of his childhood growing up in Providence Rhode Island. He speaks fondly his parents who came from immigrants. His family was poor but grew up happy and loved. He helped is father deliver milk during his childhood. Went on to college, taught school so he could go to law school at night to become a lawyer.
the other parts of his book he writes of being a lawyer then went on to be a judge. He writes of the cases he had in traffic court and learning to show compassion for some of the people who came in. Some had some tough stories of how they owed these traffic violations. Over some of the years as a judge in traffic court were video taped and some shown on forums like facebook or youtube. Judge Frank Caprio writes of some of these cases and when he used compassion for certain situations. This is why the book is called "Compassion in the Court" he gives examples of what he had learned over the years for not being Judgemental and look at the people and the circumstances that brought them to traffic court. He speaks fondly of his parents who were the first to teach him to care and be kind to others. I very much enjoyed reading his book and the lessons he would like for others to learn and to show compassion for others. good book.

Was this review helpful?