Customer Reviews

Imagining the Law: Common Law and the Foundations of the American Legal System

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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Excellent writing from Cantor (as usual). Incisive, informative and even life changing. Why? If you have ever wondered why our culture behaves as it does, this book may give you some clues. It is a book that gets at the very core of our social foundations and explains in many ways who we are as Americans, descendants of the Brits, brothers in the Common Law system.
One you will want to read and, read again. Get a copy. I purchased a library cast off (good grief!) in hardback for 3.00. A gem. Law students: do not miss this one. You will have one up on your class mates.

This is one of those rare history books that doesn't read like one. And given the subject matter that is a great accomplishment. This book gives both a broad survey of Anglo-American jurisprudence and insightful comparisons with the Roman law traditions of the rest of Europe. And without being partisan it highlights the good and bad aspects of America's legal tradition. I have a background in the subject, yet enjoyed this book as much as the other reviewers.

A fascinating introduction to what I once considered a dull subject. Cantor presents an engaging and sometimes humorous look at the social, economic, cultural and religious background to English common law. I hope the paperback version includes a glossary and chronology.

I really have to read this book again. I didn't understand it.

But, I do understand when the author keeps insisting that people in history "felt" a certain way, or "looked at" or "perceived" things this way or that. Where are the sources for these posthumous analyses?

Then, he goes on to compare something in our society to something in their society. Then he claims THEY looked at that thing the same way WE look at this thing. I'll cite some examples later. I don't have the book with me right now.

I don't like that. He should just tell readers what's in the primary source documents. Then, let them draw their own conclusions.

I did learn a few things from this book, but mostly, there's not much solid, factual information there. And, what solid facts there are --- he seems to keep changing his mind about their interpretation.

This is such a well written book. Great for a beginner like myself. It was actually very entertaining and funny at times.