The Elements of Bankruptcy, Fourth Edition (Concepts and Insights) [Paperback]

Douglas G. Baird (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1599410621 | ISBN-13: 978-1599410623 | Publication Date: November 1, 2005 | Edition: 4

This casebook is an authoritative introduction to bankruptcy. Case studies, case notes, and examples illustrate points under consideration. Thought-provoking questions generate classroom discussion and hone students' legal reasoning. Students reap the benefit of the author's expert opinions, insight, and experience. Representative topics include the individual debtor, corporate reorganizations, and claims, property of the state, and the "Strong-Arm Powers."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Harry A. Bigelow Distinguished Service Professor of Law, The University of Chicago --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 299 pages
• Publisher: Foundation Press; 4 edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599410621
• ISBN-13: 978-1599410623
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding introduction to bankruptcy law, October 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Elements of Bankruptcy, 3rd Edition (Concepts and Insights Series) (Paperback)

At once rigorous yet lucid, comprehensive yet short, this is one of the best introductions to bankruptcy law out there. The author masterfully surveys the case law and the logical structure of each of the key areas of bankruptcy law.

One of the best features of the book is its structure of individual chapters dedicated to important parts of the law like Bankruptcy Estate, Claims against the Estate, Executory Contracts, Fraudelent Conveyance, Preferences, DIPs, etc. Each chapter is no more than 20 pages, allowing the reader to get a very good birds-eye view of each topic.

While this is a high-level survey of the law, it is still one of the best books to read to develop a framework to tackle the more detailed aspects of the law. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a solid introduction to this field.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, chapters poorly organized..., November 4, 2003

By 

"joemikjr" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements of Bankruptcy, 3rd Edition (Concepts and Insights Series) (Paperback)

This book addresses all the right topics. That's why it gets three stars.

Unfortunately, each individual chapter is so poorly organized that it's hard to follow the author's argument. The author's style is simply too discursive, too casual. Topics that should be divided by a subheading blend together. Where does one thought end and another begin? Typos further distract the reader. See for instance page 136, "The insolvency test is based on the idea that when a firm's assets are greater than its assets..." The word "liabilities" should replace one of the "assets" in this sentence. Lastly, the author, an academic, cites all sorts of cases that might have pedagogic value or be of historical interest but which have been qualified by subsequent judgments. They are no longer leading cases and, so, this book is of limited value as a desk reference.

If you are a lawyer, I would recommend reading the legislation instead of buying this book. Chapter 11 is only about 100 pages (with annotations), half the length of this book. Other Chapters of Title 11 are even shorter. You can download the Bankruptcy Code for free along with the rest of the US Code if you are so inclined.

Marvin Chirelstein's text on income tax (also from the Concepts & Insights Series) does a much better job of introducing the reader to sophisticated subject matter. I give it 5 stars.

4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OMGDYHAIHCTI!!!!, August 31, 2009

By 

Bank Ruptcygod (Midway Islands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Bankruptcy, Fourth Edition (Concepts and Insights) (Paperback)

Dude! You can actually see the elements! There are these tiny little atoms swirling around, and they're just right there! I didn't even know that Bankruptcy was on the periodic table! The picture does NOT do this product justice! Buy it! I swear you won't regret it!