Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success (University Textbooks) [Paperback]

Helene Shapo (Author), Marshall Shapo (Author), Helene S. Shapo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1566624282 | ISBN-13: 978-1566624282 | Publication Date: August 1996

The authors, who have a total of 50 years' experience in teaching law school, compiled this book of practical advice for their son, a law student. The book discusses in simple terms what law students need to know about law school and how to get the most out the law school experience. The text also discusses the problems law students encounter most frequently and solutions to those problems. Topics covered include briefing a case, precedent and how to use it, balancing competing interests and factors, legal writing, and psychological tips for the study of law.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This is an indispensable book for law students because two law professors wrote it for a particular law student: their son. Authors Helene Shapo and Marshall Shapo, both law professors at Northwestern University, wrote this book when one of their sons decided to go to law school. They set out to answer a question that has puzzled thousands of law teachers and millions of law students; how can you explain in simple terms the most basic things that a law student really needs to know about law school? They set out to explain, in down to earth language that takes law students seriously, the hurdles that most often baffle law students and how to jump them. This book started out as a practical advice to the authors' child. Now every law student can benefit from its clearly written road map for success.

About the Author

Professor of Law, Northwestern University School of Law

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Foundation Pr (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566624282
• ISBN-13: 978-1566624282
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #653,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little dull, January 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

There is interesting and valuable information in this book, but the presentation -- the writing -- is about as dull as you can find. I would recommend it as supplemental material, but not your first read prior to law school. I can recommend "Acing You First Year Of Law School" by S.C. Noyes & H.S. Noyes. It touches on the same material, but the writing is leaner and far more approachable.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative overview of the legal system and the law, February 17, 2000

By 

Bruce_in_LA "reader_in_LA" (los angeles, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success (University Textbooks) (Paperback)

This book was recommended in a class I took which had both law students and non-law graduate students like public health students. I found it a very readable introduction to both the legal system and the basics of law. Topics include the concept of jurisdiction, different levels of appeal, rulings vs. dicta, different types of law (legislative, administrative, common law, etc.) While the book is targeted at people about to start law school, it may be surprisingly interesting for the general reader as well. Even sections on how to summarize cases and write essays on law, might carry over to other kinds of professional writing as well.

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT worth the money, August 9, 2003

By 

Adam Woodrum (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I was asked to read this relatively expensive book before my one-week intro to law class. I am not impressed. It seems very dry and very basic and mostly tells you what you will learn in the first year. Well, I plan to finish my first year so I suppose I will learn everything they want me to know. I have no fear of law school, so maybe I'm biased. There are also several pages dedicated to grammar. Useful enough, but hardly information that is going to allow me to attack law school without fear. Oh, and if you don't have a BASIC understanding of the purpose of the US Constitution (as included in this book, along with advice like being prepared for class), maybe you should reconsider attending law school. Please, please, please, go to a library and look at this book. If you feel you still need it at that point, buy a used copy. It won't be heavily used.
Further, their "examples" are just notable cases with different names that you will encounter in law school. That may be beneficial, but it seems pointless to hide a real case under pseudonyms. We actually have to learn these things at some point.
I don't regret reading it, and I suppose that it true with any book I read. Nobody knows everything and I sure don't claim to.
I'll get to my point and say that there are so many better books on the market. Look at the recommendation section above to find some. Of course, I may be wrong! : ) Happy reading.