Concepts and Case Analysis in the Law of Contracts (University Textbook Series) [Paperback]

Marvin A. Chirelstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001 | ISBN-10: 1587781972 | ISBN-13: 978-1587781971 | Edition: 4th

A brief primer that offers first-year students a reliable overview of the major themes and leading cases in the field of law of contracts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Columbia University

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: West Publishing Company; 4th edition (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587781972
• ISBN-13: 978-1587781971
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Law > Business > Contracts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for the Whole Family, August 6, 2003

By 

Paul (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concepts and Case Analysis in the Law of Contracts (University Textbook Series) (Paperback)

Most of the reviews are by law students, and I agree that this is an excellent study aid that (for any student with the potential to become a decent lawyer) is far more valuable than the usual commercial outlines. However, as someone who graduated law school in 1991, I can add that it also provides rare pleasure that is not to be missed by any member of that exceedingly small group composed of lawyers who actually are interested in the law. (For lack of a better analogy -- and I trust I won't be misunderstood -- the effect is a little like Rocky and Bullwinkle, something that manages to keep both the kids and the adults entertained, although on different levels.) It is hard to imagine a better opportunity to follow along as a truly great lawyer shows by example how one distinguishes cases, assesses what the court saw in the facts, and elaborates doctrine. This, in somewhat informal garb, is traditional legal analysis at its very best and accessible enough to make it painfully clear to everyone what we stand to lose through the invasion of our law schools by a bunch of PhDs peddling the latest academic fads. Any law student who wants to get some sense of what it means to be a real lawyer (you won't meet that many) should read this book.

I remember Chirelstein from my time at Columbia Law School as a somewhat distant figure, but when he appears in these pages it is hard to describe the sensation produced by such direct and complete access to a superior mind. Combine this with flowing, limpid prose, and the result is profound sadness that such books are so rare.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on contracts ever, January 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Concepts And Case Analysis In The Law Of Contracts, Third Edition (Paperback)

This book is pure genius. The dense and mysterious subject of contracts is rendered both intelligible and sensible by the author's witty prose. Written in the friendly, almost conversational style familiar to his students, Chirelstein provides in just a few pages a thorough overview of the material.

The book is short enough to read in a weekend, and should be mandatory reading for all first year law students. I read it twice; once at the beginning of the semester and once for finals (its that short) and found in invaluable.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Contracts, first year of law school, February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Concepts And Case Analysis In The Law Of Contracts, Third Edition (Paperback)

The book gives an incredibly clear explanation of all the basics of contract law. Professor Chirelstien taught me Contracts at Columbia Law School in 1997, and his book amazingly explains the law of contracts in a basic form that is as useful for first-year law students as it would be informative for anyone wanting to learn about contracts.