A Civil Action
Jonathan Harr
A book-length account for readers who want more detail.
1979–1990 · Woburn, Massachusetts
Woburn families & A Civil Action
Environment & corporate accountability
Families in Woburn sought answers about childhood leukemia and contaminated municipal drinking-water wells. Their civil lawsuit became the subject of Jonathan Harr’s book and the film A Civil Action. Separate federal Superfund proceedings addressed cleanup of the Wells G&H site.
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The Story
When1979–1990
WhereWoburn, Massachusetts
In this collection5 resources
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A Civil Action (1998)
Steven Zaillian · John Travolta · 1998
A dramatized interpretation; compare it with the reporting.
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Blogs & Essays
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Blogs & essays
1 itemsAbout these sources
Outside essays and reading guides reflect their authors’ perspectives. Compare claims with reported and primary sources.
Dan Kennedy · Media Nation
An uncivil action: Former Woburn tanner sues author, publishers
A journalist examines a former Woburn tannery owner’s lawsuit over A Civil Action, offering context about the book’s reception.
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Books
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Books
1 itemsJonathan Harr
A Civil Action
Reported nonfiction account of the families, lawyers and contested Woburn litigation; source book for the film.
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Movies & TV
Movies
1 itemsAbout these sources
Watch links, previews and title listings are identified below. Rentals or subscriptions may be required.
Steven Zaillian · John Travolta · 1998
A Civil Action (1998)
Film adaptation of Harr’s book. This EPA article explains the film’s connection to Woburn and the separate cleanup proceedings; it is not a streaming link.
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TV & documentaries
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Audiobooks
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Audiobook
A Civil Action
Narrated by Ron Butler
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Edition checked 2026-10-12
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Fiction Work
Fiction Work
Browse all →Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
Steven Zaillian · John Travolta · 1998
A Civil Action (1998)
Film adaptation of Harr’s book. This EPA article explains the film’s connection to Woburn and the separate cleanup proceedings; it is not a streaming link.
Fiction / DramatizationAccess Varies · Check Source
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Search Amazon · paid linkViewing options & film details
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
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Podcasts
Podcasts
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Social Media
BRING YOUR PERSPECTIVE
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News & Reading
More Reading & Audio
3 sourcesExplore book records, previews, library audiobooks and selected documents. Access labels distinguish free material from library loans and paid subscriptions.
OverDrive · Library Access
A Civil Action — Ebook
Jonathan Harr. Related reading for Woburn families & A Civil Action. Check participating libraries for this edition. Borrowing requires an eligible library card; availability and waits vary.
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Google Books · Catalog / Availability
A Civil Action
Related book record. Google may offer selected pages or another edition; full-book access is not confirmed.
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Everand · Subscription Access
A Civil Action — Jonathan Harr (Ebook)
Harr follows the Woburn water-contamination litigation and the families and lawyers involved. A preview may be offered; full access requires an eligible subscription. Check availability and terms.
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Reading Access Notes
Search reviewed 2026-09-16. Sources searched: Google Books, Internet Archive, Open Library, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Magazine, The Atavist Magazine, Everand, Google Books (case/title search), Scribd, Everand, OverDrive and hoopla (combined title search). Search indexing is incomplete; this is not an exhaustive list of the web. Access can change by edition, country and library membership. Library loans may require sign-in or a wait. Everand titles may need a paid subscription; a trial is not permanent free access. Scribd documents are third-party uploads, with uploader details noted where checked. We link to source pages and write our own descriptions rather than reproducing copyrighted books.
A separate Texas Monthly search was blocked by the publisher’s automated-access rules and could not be verified.
News & reporting
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Newspaper clippings
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Internet Archive
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Court & Files
Court records & documents
1 itemsAbout these sources
Documents are labeled by type and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. This collection is not the complete case file.
Court document
Wells G&H Superfund cleanup history
Official site profile, cleanup decisions and remediation history. Regulatory records rather than the complete families’ lawsuit docket.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Positive Outcome
Positive Outcome
1 itemsAbout these sources
Documented laws, advocacy and reforms. Listing a change does not claim it is effective or universally supported.
Superfund settlement · EPA
1990: Wells G&H cleanup settlement
EPA documents a cleanup settlement for the Woburn site in 1990. This environmental remedy is distinct from the families’ civil suit and did not create the Superfund law.
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Social Media
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