The Path Of The Law [Paperback]

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2004 | ISBN-10: 1419176838 | ISBN-13: 978-1419176838

I take it for granted that no hearer of mine will misinterpret what I have to say as the language of cynicism. The law is the witness and external deposit of our moral life. Its history is the history of the moral development of the race. The practice of it, in spite of popular jests, tends to make good citizens and good men. When I emphasize the difference between law and morals I do so with reference to a single end, that of learning and understanding the law.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (June 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419176838
• ISBN-13: 978-1419176838
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,106,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, short book, December 20, 1999

By 

Chitown Reader (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Path of the Law (Little Books of Wisdom) (Hardcover)

I believe this book is transcribed from a speech given by Holmes to a group of lawyers, judges, scholars at HLS. It is Holmes' prediciton for the future of the law and it is extremely prescient. For anyone interested in the law it is a must read, and at about 34 pages a very quick and enjoyable one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, March 11, 2011

By 

KnowItAll - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Path Of The Law (Paperback)

This book is cited in a lot of my case books as well as many other written materials I have seen and read in law school. Holmes is a brilliant judge and this book is interesting and educational. It is a little pricey, being that it is only like 20 or so pages (I can't recall the exact page number but it is very short). The last 5 or 6 pages were blank in it...In short, if you can get it from a library or a friend to read it, do that instead of buying it because it will not take you very long to read and I don't see it being one of the books you HAVE to own. Hope this helps.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The real truth., March 4, 2011

By 

G. Petersen "booklover" (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Path Of The Law (Paperback)

"What the jury didn't hear." You hear it all of the time on almost every news program. The fact is a jury needs to hear and learn ALL of the information. Granted nobody is above the law, but a jury IS above the law that is on trial.
Say, for example, that you go to court because your dog ran into the street and bit somebody. You will be on trial and so will the leash law. If the jury feels the leash law is a good one, they will find you guilty. If the jury feels the leash law is bad, they can over rule the law, get rid of it, and find you innocent.
Remember, the people are in charge and the politicians are here to serve them. Judges and lawyers are only third parties set in place to settle disputes. It is a great system! However, as of late, corrupt judges have withheld valuable information from the jury. Even worse, they have instructed the jury on how to vote, often saying: follow the law. Or, follow my instructions.
What is the point? If a jury has to follow the law, then why do you need a jury? Just find the defendant guilty and be done with it.
Again, the jury is above the law. Can create new laws. Can do away with bad laws. That is what makes this country great!!