The Law of Obligations: Roman Foundations of the Civilian Tradition (Paperback)

by Reinhard Zimmermann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`'This book', as James Gorley writes in the Americal Journal of Comparative Law 'is an account of the Roman roots of the modern law of contract, tort and unjust enrichment ... A principle goal is to show that the Roman legal tradition is a key to understanding modern law. For that reason, althought the book contains a magisterial treatment of the development of ancient Roman law, it does not, like the typical work on the subject, leave off with Justinian. It describes how Roman law was modified, beginning with the legal renaissance of the twelfth century, to form a ius commune, a law common to continental Europe. It shows how the Roman tradition shaped the national legal systems that emerged when the ius commune fragmented ... [and] describes how Roman law has influenced the English common law.'' American Journal of Comparative Law

'Reinhard Zimmermann's study of the Roman law of obligations has been justly praised, and it is now well known, not only for its intrinsic excellence, but also for the manner in which it has opened up a dialogue between lawyers of the Civilian and Common law traditions...The book is indeed the most extraordinary tour de force of erudition lucidly expounded. The publication of the paperback edition at a reasonable price is thus to be welcomed...stimulating and thought-provoking...Oxford University Press is to be congratulated in publishing a translation of one and a relatively inexpensive edition of the other. Both are important books.'

Product Description
This scholarly survey of the Law of Obligations from classical to modern times is a marvellous work of historical synthesis which discusses each contract, tort, and liability based on unjust enrichment with great clarity, and traces their development over hundreds of years through the legal systems of Europe. Not merely a work of Roman legal scholarship, it is a treasure-house of ideas and arguments as well as information and scholarship relating to the Law of Obligations.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 1312 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019876426X
• ISBN-13: 978-0198764267
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,319,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Book on Roman and Comparative Law, January 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Law of Obligations:Roman Foundations of the Civilian Tradition (Hardcover)

This book is a must read for the Roman and Comparative law scholar. That said, there are certain prerequisites you should meet before reading or attempting this book. First, you must know latin, since many passages appear only in latin without translation, I deem these passages to be very important for an understanding of the book. Second, it would be difficult to understand much of the book without prior coursework or reading in Roman law (preferably the Digests, Institutes and general knowledge of Roman legal society.) Third, at least one year of law school should be completed to acquaint the reader with the necessary legal fundamentals. Provided you have the right background, you will find this a very provocative and interesting work.