An Introduction to the Legal System of the United States

Review

"The book is an excellent text when one considers the apparent primary purpose of the work...The book is a good, brief, introductory text on the Legal System of the United States...As an introductory work, the selection of topics is interesting to note. The author did not attempt to prepare a work on "American Government." The book does not discuss the political or economic systems that rule and govern the United States. Discussions of capitalism, political parties, and the executive branch of government are not included. The work does provide, however, discussions of lawyers, legal education, the legal profession, the judicial system, case law, the legislative system, and statutes. There is also some discussion of the distinctions between private law and public law.
"...One of the interesting examples in the book, is the chapter on "Case Law." The author does a good job of explaining the importance of case law in the United States legal system. The chapter discusses the role that courts play, the use of precedent in case law, the form that decisions take, and even a brief discussion of how decisions are reported. As an added feature, the appendix to the work gives the reader two examples of reported case decisions. This would allow the interested reader to experience the difficulty in trying to read, understand, and analyze court decisions.
"...It should be extremely useful to foreign audiences, beginning course in paralegal training, or any setting where the reader is seeking introductory level material..."
Ronald W. Eades, Professor of Law, University of Louisville, Kentucky
Law Books in Review
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Allan E. Farnwsorth is formerly the Alfred McCormack Professor of Law at Columbia Law School. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.