Customer Reviews

Introduction to the Study and Practice of Law in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I spent a good bit of time with this little book before and during my first year in law school. I read it very carefully, and even wrote out answers to the questions. The effort was well worth it. If you're scared to death, don't know what to expect, and want to do well, this book won't let you down. Hegland begins the process of teaching a law student how to think, and helps one keep the big picture in mind. This book also started my profitable relationship with the nutshell series.

This book gave me something that I wanted to hear for a long time, it gave me encouragement. It made me realized that the first year of law school will be a difficult one, but you can get through it. It was insightful, informative and filled with great humor. I think all 1L's feel intimitated during their first year of law school. This book provided everything that the first year student should know during that first year. The humor was the refreshing part, I never knew lawyers had a sense of humor, but this author will surely make you laugh. He gave excellent advice on what to expect the first couple of weeks. This is book is great for students who are scared to death of the first year. This book wil help you realize that you are not the dumbest person in the class if you don't understand the material. I feel I can make it through the first year of law school without having a nervous breakdown.

A little book like this might not seem all that useful by its cover, but there is a LOT of content in here. I bought this book halfway through my second semester of law school, after coming out of a very rocky first semester in which I really didn't know what I was doing. Now, I'm actually on top of things, and I believe this book made the difference.

Hegland packed this book with strategies: classroom strategies, writing strategies, argument strategies, career strategies. Rather than simply tell you what law school is like, he tells you how to play the system. His three-pronged strategy for shooting down "slippery slope" arguments is an excellent example, as are his stories from people in various legal professions (ranging from judges to librarians). And he stops often to show the big picture of law school, and remind the reader that all their "enormous" mistakes ultimately add up to very little.

Very, very highly recommended, preferably for those *considering* law school, but also for those in law school and needing guidance.

Nothing will completely prepare you for the brain battery that is law school, but this book will help prepare you to the basic concepts and get you in the right frame of mind before you start Orientation. Get it. Read it. Then work hard at your classes and you'll do great.

Ken Hegland has made this introduction to the law come alive for the reader. It will be a great asset to anyone who wants to understand how the law works and what is expected in actual practice. One of the most attractive things about his approach is that he doesn't speak down from on high. Rather, he makes the instruction personal and down to earth. The key to the law is an ability to begin to think in legal terms, leaving behind the generalized thinking that we, by nature, tend to utilize. Ken seems to understand that justice will fall through the cracks if the law is just a rigid application of man made rules. It's not just about winning, recognition, or high conviction rates. Ultimately, the interplay between fact and law must result in the preservation of the delicate balance that is justice. Ken has done a good job of impressing upon our thoughts the notion of "humble professionalism," always keeping in mind the human dimension. The legal system will only be as good as the people who occupy its ranks. We must never be afraid to lose if it advances the interests of justice. Moreover, as many of us already know, there is no shame in being wrong in a classroom setting or in life for that matter. I liked Ken right away without even knowing him personally and I believe that the legal community as a whole is improved through his work. Needless to say, the quality of law that we all benefit from is dependent on those who teach us how it "should" function. I hope that my own understanding of the law will enrich the quality of my life, those I interact with, and society as a whole. My one regret is that I did not read his book many years ago when I was a young man but, it's never too late! Do yourself a favor and get Ken's book from Amazon and you will begin to open an important door with a key of knowledge. Thank you Ken and those who assisted him. May God Bless and keep you all. Pastor Mike.

The University of Florida recommends reading this book before starting law school there. I read it and found if was a very good cohmprehensive review of what to expect. It makes the first few weeks of school seem a little less intense if you have an idea of what you're getting into.
Hope this helps and Go Gators!

I bought and read this along with Planet Lawschool and Getting to Maybe. This is the best of the three. I liked how it would teach a concept, then provide the reader with the opportunity to practice the skill. This book helped me get top 2% first year. If you have time your 0L summer, it's worth the time.

I just bought this book (as someone planning to law school, and wanting to know more about what's involved in the actual "study and practice of law") and after reading the first 100 or so pages I must say, it's a very interesting and helpful book!

I wanted to note though, should the publisher ever decide to check their amazon reviews, that the number of typos is astounding. Tell your editors to do their job.

To the author: kudos on a lot of terrific insight. Your reward for writing such an excellent book is lots of people reading your typos.

i have read several law school prep books and this is one of my top 3. the book is very detailed, even providing sample exam questions and answers. this book is full of good information, but is easy to read and understand. i would definitely recommend this book.

This book is humorous, insightful, and worthwhile.