20 Best Books On Law (2023 Update)

In this fifth edition of his bestselling classic, jay feinman provides an authoritative and up-to-date overview of the american legal system. in the years since the publication of the fourth edition, there have been many important developments on the legal front. the supreme court has issued important decisions on presidential powers, freedom of religion, and personal liberty. police shootings and the rise of black lives matter has impacted the court system too. the rise of arbitration at the expense of jury trials has affected the rights of consumers, and internet law remains in a state of constant change. this fully updated fifth edition of law 101 accounts for all these developments and more, as feinman once again provides a clear introduction to american law. the book covers all the main subjects taught in the first year of law school, and discusses every facet of the american legal tradition, including constitutional law, the litigation process, and criminal, property, and contracts law. to illustrate how the legal system works, feinman draws from noteworthy, infamous, and even outrageous examples and cases. madison that gave the supreme court the power to declare state and federal law unconstitutional. a key to learning about the law is understanding legal vocabulary, and feinman helps by clarifying terms like "due process" and "equal protection," as well as by drawing distinctions between terms like "murder" and "manslaughter." above all, feinman reveals to readers of all kinds that despite its complexities and quirks, the law can be understood by everyone. perfect for students contemplating law school, journalists covering legislature, or even casual fans of "court-television" shows, law 101 is a clear and accessible introduction to the american legal system.

New york times bestseller – notable book of the year – editors' choice selectionone of bill gates’ “amazing books” of the yearlonglisted for the national book awardthis “powerful and disturbing history” exposes how american governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on metropolitan areas nationwide (new york times book review). widely heralded as a “masterful” (washington post) and “essential” (slate) history of the modern american metropolis, richard rothstein’s the color of law offers “the most forceful argument ever published on how federal, state, and local governments gave rise to and reinforced neighborhood segregation” (william julius wilson). exploding the myth of de facto segregation arising from private prejudice or the unintended consequences of economic forces, rothstein describes how the american government systematically imposed residential segregation: with undisguised racial zoning; public housing that purposefully segregated previously mixed communities; subsidies for builders to create whites-only suburbs; tax exemptions for institutions that enforced segregation; and support for violent resistance to african americans in white neighborhoods. a groundbreaking, “virtually indispensable” study that has already transformed our understanding of twentieth-century urban history (chicago daily observer), the color of law forces us to face the obligation to remedy our unconstitutional past.

“a thorough, careful examination of the ins and outs of self-representation . . . the text is as interesting as practical.” –library journal “a valuable read for every entrepreneur. knowing the legal system will not only put you at ease, but will immensely help in making you a better and more effective client when working with an attorney.” –entrepreneur if you’re having problems with a business deal that’s soured, an unresponsive landlord, or the guy who totaled your car, you can turn to the courts for relief. but if you think there is only one way to proceed, think again. in this country, there is a tradition of self-help law that is as much a part of our heritage as mom, apple pie, and the american flag. it’s called pro se—legal self-representation—and it may be the answer for you. in this, the updated second edition of how and when to be your own lawyer—one of the most successful self-help law books ever published—authors robert schachner and marvin quittner, esq., provide the average person with a no-nonsense guide to using the american legal system. written in plain english, how and when to be your own lawyer leads you through the maze of legal processes principles—step by step—from making a realistic appraisal of your case to collecting a judgment. it provides information on drawing up a complaint, using a law library, devising strategy, assembling evidence, filing motions, and preparing and presenting your case in court, including advice on how to deal with an opposing attorney when proceeding pro se. the authors also offer clear explanations of legal terms and historical background that helps to make sense of many puzzling aspects of the law, all highlighted by real-life case histories.

What are your rights if the car you bought is useless? if your ex-boss refuses to let you take along your rolodex? who gets custody of the children after a divorce? do you worry about laws governing your use of the internet? what rights are accorded to the elderly, disabled, and other social minorities? how can you successfully sue in small claims court? or write your own will? the law pervades every individual's life, yet few know just what their rights are, how to use them, and what to do when they're violated. with expert assistance from everybody's guide to the law, all your legal questions and concerns will be answered in simple everyday language that demystifies the law and arms you with the right information to make the best decisions. while a host of web sites and books claim to help you understand the law, this fully revised and updated edition of the essential home legal reference is your one-stop guide. comprehensive, accurate, and with no hidden gimmicks or programs to sell you (unlike most online "resources"), this superbly readable, indispensable addition to any home library provides up-to-date and easy-to-understand practical legal information most people need to know. praised by critics and embraced by the public, everybody's guide to the law remains the standard by which all other home legal guides aspire to, but have never managed to meet.

A convenient, comprehensive guide to the language of law for everyone from the homeowner to the legal professional. this easy-to-understand guide defines more than 10,000 legal words and phrases with clear definitions written in common terminology. many updated entries come from recent events that propelled legal terms into our daily lives, from the financial meltdown to the growth of the internet each entry includes definitions, pronunciations, example phrases and quotations, and frequent supplementary notes features helpful information and special sections on the judicial system, important legal cases, government agencies, and historic laws

Do you know your legal rights and responsibilities if you’re buying or selling a home, applying for a job, or getting a divorce? if you want to protect both yourself and your family from the many legal problems that have become commonplace in today’s society, you don’t need a law degree—all you need is a basic understanding of the law. whether you’re a consumer, employee, or small business owner, law for dummies will help you discover your legal rights, responsibilities, and obligations in a wide range of areas. you can use this book to answer specific questions about the law as it relates to particular areas of your life or you can use it as a guide to low-cost or no-cost sources of legal advice, including government agencies and nonprofit organizati ons. law for dummies is packed with the tools and resources you need to make informed legal decisions. you’ll become familiar with a variety of laws that can affect you personally—from retirement, health care, and housing laws to personal finance, employment, divorce, and privacy laws. you’ll also discover how to: make sense of the u.s. legal system resolve legal problems as quickly as possible with a minimum amount of money and stress correct errors on your credit report prepare wills and other legal documents avoid legal hassles when running a business protect your rights at work collect child support if you’re like many americans today, you probably feel overwhelmed by the rules, regulations, and red tape that seem to govern and complicate every aspect f your daily life. with law for dummies you can boost your legal know-how and solve a number of everyday legal problems that may come your way.

Do you know your legal rights and responsibilities if you’re buying or selling a home, applying for a job, or getting a divorce? if you want to protect both yourself and your family from the many legal problems that have become commonplace in today’s society, you don’t need a law degree—all you need is a basic understanding of the law. whether you’re a consumer, employee, or small business owner, law for dummies will help you discover your legal rights, responsibilities, and obligations in a wide range of areas. you can use this book to answer specific questions about the law as it relates to particular areas of your life or you can use it as a guide to low-cost or no-cost sources of legal advice, including government agencies and nonprofit organizati ons. law for dummies is packed with the tools and resources you need to make informed legal decisions. you’ll become familiar with a variety of laws that can affect you personally—from retirement, health care, and housing laws to personal finance, employment, divorce, and privacy laws. you’ll also discover how to: make sense of the u.s. legal system resolve legal problems as quickly as possible with a minimum amount of money and stress correct errors on your credit report prepare wills and other legal documents avoid legal hassles when running a business protect your rights at work collect child support if you’re like many americans today, you probably feel overwhelmed by the rules, regulations, and red tape that seem to govern and complicate every aspect f your daily life. with law for dummies you can boost your legal know-how and solve a number of everyday legal problems that may come your way.

A fully illustrated introduction to the world of law, for people who haven't read anything about law before. this book is an entertaining and thought-provoking guide to what laws are, who makes them and how people enforce them. it covers crime and punishment as well as social and citizenship issues such as politics and international law, using a mixture of debates, cartoon strips and clear diagrams. part of usborne's award-winning 'for beginners' series, including 'politics for beginners' and 'philosophy for beginners'.

Drawn from 3,000 years of the history of power, this guide helps readers achieve for themselves what queen elizabeth i, henry kissinger, louis xiv and machiavelli learnt the hard way.

This book contains 30 detailed chapters, plus addenda and additional material that set out everything a law student must do to excel in law school …an absolute requirement for getting a good law job. it is completely updated, with an analysis of hundreds of legal resources and the realities of law school and the legal profession. its 800 pages are an exhaustive and unique compendium of materials, advice, and precaution for the law student or soon-to-be law student.

Joel trachtman's book presents in plain and lucid terms the powerful tools of argument that have been honed through the ages in the discipline of law. if you are a law student or new lawyer, a business professional or a government official, this book will boost your analytical thinking, your foundational legal knowledge, and your confidence as you win arguments for your clients, your organizations or yourself.

In this groundbreaking book, scalia and garner systematically explain all the most important principles of constitutional, statutory, and contractual interpretation in an engaging and informative style with hundreds of illustrations from actual cases. is a burrito a sandwich? is a corporation entitled to personal privacy? if you trade a gun for drugs, are you using a gun in a drug transaction? the authors grapple with these and dozens of equally curious questions while explaining the most principled, lucid, and reliable techniques for deriving meaning from authoritative texts. meanwhile, the book takes up some of the most controversial issues in modern jurisprudence. what, exactly, is textualism? why is strict construction a bad thing? what is the true doctrine of originalism? and which is more important: the spirit of the law, or the letter? the authors write with a well-argued point of view that is definitive yet nuanced, straightforward yet sophisticated.

“only the people” can save america will you? by doing this the people will move our courts back to “courts of justice” and take 100% control of our government. – watch the video “power of the grand jury.” the duty of the “common law grand jury is to right any wrong. – if anyone's unalienable rights have been violated, or removed, without a legal sentence of their peers, the grand jury can restore them. – in addition, if a dispute shall arise concerning this matter it shall be settled according to the judgment of the grand jurors, the sureties of the peace. – in a us supreme court stunning 6 to 3 decision justice antonin scalia, writing for the majority, confirmed that the american grand jury is neither part of the judicial, executive nor legislative branches of government, but instead belongs to the people. it is in effect a fourth branch of government “governed” and “administered” directly by and on behalf of the american people, and its authority emanates from the “bill of rights” and has the power to enforce law and remove people from public office. – frequently asked questions:q: once i register what happens next? – q: do i have to serve when i get the call? a: no. – q: when i am called how long will i be needed for? a: usually 1-3 days, you will be given that information and the dates in order to decide if you can participate. – q: what do i do now? after you register you will be taken to an “orientation page” and you will be instructed further, please read carefully that page.

There are two kinds of knowledge law school teaches: legal rules on the one hand, and tools for thinking about legal problems on the other. although the tools are far more interesting and useful than the rules, they tend to be neglected in favor of other aspects of the curriculum. from classic ideas in game theory such as the “prisoner’s dilemma” and the “stag hunt” to psychological principles such as hindsight bias and framing effects, from ideas in jurisprudence such as the slippery slope to more than two dozen other such principles, farnsworth’s guide leads readers through the fascinating world of legal thought. each chapter introduces a single tool and shows how it can be used to solve different types of problems. the explanations are written in clear, lively language and illustrated with a wide range of examples. the legal analyst is an indispensable user’s manual for law students, experienced practitioners seeking a one-stop guide to legal principles, or anyone else with an interest in the law.

For nearly 130 years, black's law dictionary has been the gold standard for the language of the law. the greatly expanded 11th edition, with new material on every page, is at once the most practical, comprehensive, scholarly, and authoritative law dictionary ever published. with clarity and rigor, it defines more than 55,000 law-related words and phrases, recording their historical and present-day nuances. this edition introduces 3,500 new terms, including accountability, anticipatory self-defense, cyber force, islamic law, jewish law, legal moralism, legal reasoning, moral equality, peacekeeping, remotely piloted warfare, right to rebel, and umbrella clause. more than 900 latin maxims have been added, newly translated, and carefully indexed for this edition, making black's law dictionary the most thorough and reliable source for these essential and often elusive items. headwords are given their dates of earliest known use in english-language sources, giving dictionary users a greater sense of historical context. black's law dictionary is the only legal dictionary to provide such data. the extensive bibliography lists the more than 1,000 classics of legal literature that are briefly quoted throughout the dictionary to amplify the user's understanding of legal terminology. each of the more than 6,000 quotations locates a critical and otherwise hard-to-find explanation of the terms under discussion. editor in chief bryan a. garner, the world's leading legal lexicographer, has assembled an unmatched roster of academic and practicing contributors who have vetted every term for accuracy. never has such a distinguished lineup of legal talent been arrayed in support of a legal reference work. if you're using an edition that was current when you were in law school, you're out of date. if you think a dictionary is useful mainly as a doorstop, you haven't browsed the pages of this 11th edition. once you do, you'll find it hard to put down.

Written by a team of international lawyers with extensive academic and practical experience of international criminal law, the fourth edition of this leading textbook offers readers comprehensive coverage and a high level of academic rigour while maintaining its signature accessible and engaging style. introducing the readers to the fundamental concepts of international criminal law, as well as the domestic and international institutions that enforce that law, this book engages with critical questions, political and moral challenges, and alternatives to international justice. suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students, academics and practitioners in the field, and cited by the international criminal tribunal for yugoslavia, the international criminal court, the special court for sierra leone, the extraordinary chambers in the courts of cambodia, and the highest courts in domestic systems, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about international criminal law.

A solid overview of u.s. law and the criminal justice system covering where our laws come from, the court system, and the various areas of law–perfect for beginners.written by practicing attorneys in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner, law 101 is an indispensable introduction into the world of law and how it may affect our everyday lives.key questions answered: how does a lawsuit begin? how do civil and criminal law differ? when do state laws trump federal laws? what makes a contract solid? what can you expect if called as a juror? what can you expect if called as a witness? and other complex areas of the law that you need to knowa great gift for a pre-law student! praise for law 101: i am a lawyer and i teach a law class to high school students. after reviewing a number of texts, i settled on this as the primary text for the class. kudos to the roches for a job well done.–amazon customer (verified purchase)great book covering numerous legal topics. highly recommended. –amazon customer (verified purchase)

Foundations of law is designed to help law and pre-law students make sense of law in a changeful age. it is founded upon the conviction of the english jurist william blackstone that students who intend to study law need both technical instruction in law and liberal education in the history and jurisprudential concepts of law. it also emphasizes enduring aspects of legal practice: the role of logic; the meaning and importance of conscience and of due process; different approaches to textual interpretation; and the relation of law to other normative concepts (such as morality and religion) and to science (such as economics). the book surveys classic writings concerning law and justice–for example, the works of sophocles, plato, aristotle, and aquinas. it contains writings that are foundational to anglo-american legal norms and institutions–blackstone, bentham, locke, the federalists, lincoln, holmes, and others. it includes helpful analytical insights from influential jurisprudence scholars–austin, hart, hohfeld, dworkin, and finnis, among others. most uniquely, it matches each of those writings with constitutions, declarations, statutes, judicial decisions, and other legal and political texts (even a letter from jail) that illustrate and reinforce the key lessons drawn from the great works. the book does not leave students adrift in abstractions. it provides a solid grounding for understanding and practicing law in a rapidly-changing world. combines technical instruction in law with liberal education in the history and jurisprudential concepts of law. provides a solid grounding in the enduring characteristics of law to enable students to understand and practice law in a rapidly-changing world. surveys the great books concerning law, equity, and justice. uniquely matches each great book excerpt with judicial decisions, statutes, proclamations, and other legal materials to illustrate how foundational concepts recur in contemporary legal norms and institutions and to illustrate and reinforce the key lessons drawn from the great works. emphasizes enduring aspects of legal practice: the role of logic; the meaning and importance of conscience and of due process; different approaches to textual interpretation; and the relation of law to other normative concepts (such as morality and religion) and to science (such as economics). surveys classic writings concerning law and justice–for example, the works of sophocles, plato, aristotle, and aquinas. surveys writings that are foundational to anglo-american legal norms and institutions–for example, the works of blackstone, bentham, locke, the federalists, lincoln, and holmes. includes helpful analytical insights from influential jurisprudence scholars–austin, hart, hohfeld, dworkin, and finnis, among others. opens each chapter with reading questions to assist beginning students. follows readings with notes to direct more advanced students to additional reading and further lines of inquiry.

Each chapter introduces the respective approach to studying law and describes the kind of questions and methods characteristic to that approach. comparison are made between approaches and further reading suggestions are supplied.

Each chapter introduces the respective approach to studying law and describes the kind of questions and methods characteristic to that approach. comparison are made between approaches and further reading suggestions are supplied.