Introduction to the Legal System of the United States

By E. Allan Farnsworth

Book Overview

In this classic text, translated into over a dozen languages, constitutional scholar and Columbia Law School professor E. Allan Farnsworth provides a clear explanation of the structure and function of the U.S. legal system in one handy reference. An Introduction to the Legal System of the United States is designed to be a general introduction to the structure and function of the legal system of the United States, and is especially useful for those readers who lack familiarity with fundamental establishments and practices. This text also gives the reader a clear understanding of how to research the law, the importance of case law versus statutes, and the difference between private and public law. It illustrates issues that may be confusing or troublesome and provides a solid general overview.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0379213737
• ISBN13: 9780379213737
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Informative and dry

I bought and read this book before going to law school. I think I had seen it on the Harvard law recommended reading list, or something like that, and decided to give it a try. Apparently the book is mostly intended for legal practitioners from other countries who want an introduction to American law. However, as an American with basically no knowledge of any law, American or otherwise, I still found this to be a solid introduction to the legal system of the United States. It is a very dry book, but I still managed to read it from cover to cover, and I learned a ton along the way. Each section also provides great recommendations for what else to read on that topic. This is a very informative and straightforward introduction. For pre-law American students looking for a more friendly introduction, I would recommend first reading "Whose Monet? an introduction to the american legal system."