Descripciones mejoradas de Syndetics:

Most of us know very little about the law. We pick up bits of information from television and newspaper accounts of current legal battles, and from bestselling novels and popular movies. But these pieces do not give us an accurate or complete picture. In Law 101, Jay M. Feinman offers a delightfully clear introduction to law, covering the main subjects found in the first year of law school and giving us a basic understanding of the American legal tradition. Readers are introduced to every aspect of the legal system, from constitutional law and the litigation process to tort law, contract law, property law, and criminal law. Feinman illuminates each discussion with many intriguing, outrageous, and infamous cases, from the scalding coffee case that cost McDonald's half a million dollars, to the sensational murder trial in Victorian London that led to the legal definition of insanity, to the epochal decision in Marbury v. Madison that gave the Supreme Court the power to declare state and federal laws unconstitutional. He broadens the reader's legal vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of everything from "due process" and "equal protection" in constitutional law, to the distinction between "murder" and "manslaughter" in criminal law. Perhaps most important, we learn that law is voluminous and complex, but accessible to everyone. Anyone who enjoys Court TV will find this book irresistible. Everyone who wants a better grasp of current legal issues, from students contemplating law school to journalists covering the legislature or the courts, will find here a wonderful source of information--a complete, clear, and colorful map of the American legal system.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Preface(p. xi)
• 1 There Are No Secret Books(p. 3)
• 2 Constitutional Law and Constitutional Politics(p. 11)
• 3 First Freedoms(p. 45)
• 4 Your Day in Court(p. 87)
• 5 Auto Accidents, Scalding Coffee, and Medical Malpractice(p. 133)
• 6 When is a Deal a Deal?(p. 171)
• 6 You Are What You Own(p. 205)
• 8 From Insanity to in Cold Blood(p. 249)
• 9 Protecting the Innocent, Freeing the Guilty(p. 297)
• Conclusion(p. 337)
• Index of Legal Cases(p. 339)
• Index of Subjects(p. 343)

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Rutgers law professor Feinman has written an entertaining and informative introduction to the law. Taking the basic subjects covered in the first year of law school (constitutional law, tort law, contract law, property law, and criminal law), the author explains how the law applies to everyday situations. Each of the nine chapters has a series of questions and answers regarding the type of law. For example, the author asks in Chapter 4, "Your Day in Court," when a lawsuit can be brought and what makes a case federal. He methodically explains the steps that take place throughout a trial and shows that TV trials do not reflect reality. To his credit, he tackles high-profile cases--the McDonald's hot-coffee injury case, the Pennzoil-Getty Oil contract dispute, the Lorena Bobbitt assault prosecution, and the Supreme Court decisions on busing and abortion--and shows how the basic principles of law apply to them. Feinman is even-handed in his comments on the cases but gives his opinions. For journalists, those interested in the law, and fans of television law dramas, this book should be required reading.--Harry Charles, Attorney at Law, St. Louis (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Although it falls a long way short of delivering "everything you need to know" about American law, this basic text offers nonlawyers a concise, accessible overview of topics typically introduced in the first year of law school. Feinman, a law professor at Rutgers, cites seminal cases to highlight key concepts in the fields of constitutional law, civil procedure, torts, contracts, property, criminal law and criminal procedure. He does not minimize the actual complexity of these subjects, conceding variously that contract law has "tormented the most students," property law "most irritates students," conflicts of law "tortures students" and civil procedure is "the most alien." Nevertheless, he distinguishes his book from the various how-to-be-your-own-lawyer manuals on the market: "This one is fun to read." But how much fun is to be found here is questionable. Although Feinman does explore a few juicy cases, such as the successful lawsuit against McDonald's by a woman scalded by its extra-hot coffee and the headline-grabbing criminal prosecution of subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz, much of his book is a no-frills restatement of the most general legal principles, minus the titillating nuances. Uninitiated readers may prefer Feinman's regular-guy style ("some contracts just stink") to his more academic voice ("The decision in a particular case will depend on the level of generality at which the court states the controlling principle"). They may also wish he had provided a glossary for quick reference. But many readers, particularly those contemplating law school, will find this a painless introduction to American legal theory and practice. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Booklist Review

Despite the title, this is not a how-to book. It does not tell you how to be your own lawyer or to represent yourself in a court of law. It is actually an introduction to the laws in the U.S., providing background on the practical development and bases of the law from a layperson's perspective. Feinman asks basic questions and provides lengthy answers to the fundamental concerns a reader might have about how the law works. He examines broad areas of constitutional law, civil procedures, and contracts, and provides basic information on jury service, suing, and being sued. Feinman offers some historical context for how the law has evolved. Though the book is aimed at laypersons, it offers a good refresher course to update legal practitioners and paraprofessionals in areas where they do not specialize. A good read overall for those interested in the law. --Vernon Ford

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Jay M. Feinman is Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Law at Camden. An expert on contract law, tort law, legal education, and legal theory, Feinman is the author of three books and more than forty scholarly articles. He lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey.