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A History of American Law: Third Edition 3rd Revised ed. Edition

by Lawrence M. Friedman (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 21 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0684869889
ISBN-10: 0684869888
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 640 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone; 3rd Revised ed. edition (April 1, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0684869888
  • ISBN-13: 978-0684869889
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.7 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsHistory - To The EXTREME
By Jeffrey W. Wehner on February 6, 2006
Format: Paperback
My first reaction after finishing the book, was to ask myself how anyone could have enough time to put so much information together. As the cover states, this "book touches every conceivable aspect of law...it is a stupendous achievement." The author takes an insurmountable task and first breaks it up into four sections, Part 1: American Law in the colonial Period, Part 2: Revolution to the Middle of the 19th century, Part 3: Close of the 19th century, Part 4: The 20th century. Within each part he segments chapters into readable legal topics. (i.e. Corporations, Crime and Punishment, etc). In that way, the reader gets an understanding of the period and how it effects all sorts of law, before going onto another time period and seeing how other areas of the law grew and affected other areas.

Although the republic split from England, the author reviews how attached the our legal system continued to be and all the reasons why this was so. (All the legal treatises and cases were only printed about English law for quite some time). He also discusses why certain areas of the law, nonetheless, quickly grew away. (i.e. the are lots of navigable seaways in America, not so many in England). This is just a small sampling of a tremendous source of information.

The study of law present a tremendous number of apparent inconsistencies, non-sequitors, and just beyond the reasonable conundrums. The author tremendous dedication to this work really sorts out these issues buy showing the development and goals through the history of the Union. (And why the Socratic method is everywhere, much to the consternations of L1s everywhere)

Of course such a treaties requires a good effort to read, assimilate, and remember.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsBest overall history of the American legal system
By William J. Romanos on June 18, 2008
Format: Hardcover
I am an attorney. I was fortunate enough to read this book well after law school. Although I signed up for a class on the History of American Law when I was in law school - the class was cancelled - presumably for lack of interest (i.e., lack of other students interested in taking the course). I recall a previous edition of this book was going to be assigned as the core textbook.

This is simply the best overall history of the American legal system. It is long and some readers may be discouraged by this. However its length is necessary due to the details it provides and the nature of the subject matter and the time span it covers - basically since inception of the U.S.

The length of the book should not discourage a potential reader. If you read this book, you will have an excellent understanding on how U.S. legal institutions (basically the state and federal appellate courts and the U.S. Supreme Court) have operated over time and the evolution of American law including core legal doctrines and their evolution over time.

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in a thorough and comprehensive overview and history of the U.S. legal system.
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5.0 out of 5 starsEveryone should read this.
By Edward T. Humphreville on March 7, 2009
Format: Hardcover
I am reading a chapter a night-just delightful. The law of slavery was a real eye opener. Every chapter is amazing. The one on state constitutions puts things in perspective. It really shows one how things fit together in society-how legal doctrines got that way. It also deals with the issue and theme of how and why law changes.

I am a tax accountant with a Masters of Taxation. You'll laugh but you see the origin of many tax terms.

I can see rereading this chapter by chapter-it's that good.

It's a foundational book.

Ted Humphreville -Los Angeles
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn illuminating book that forever changed my perspective on law
By un homme on December 9, 2011
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Prior to reading this book, I had little understanding of the law. I saw it as a single, solid body of tradition, grounded in specific documents and interpreted through the operation of the legal system. My understanding was in some sense true, but this book opened my eyes to the vast complexity and richness of tradition woven into the system of law in the United States. I learned about the different legal systems, such as admiralty, chancery, equity, and common law, and how these systems operated historically in their respective regimes of power. I learned how common law largely came to subsume the other courts, how Napoleonic law relates to common law, and how Napoleonic systems developed in several states and changed to take on more common law characteristics. Above all Friedman impressed on me the basic premise of his book:

"Despite a strong dash of history and idiosyncrasy, the strongest ingredient in American law, at any given time, is the present -- current emotions, real economic interests, and concrete political groups."

Highly recommended. My understanding of law will never be the same.
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5.0 out of 5 starsSuperb history - if you can read it
By George Goldberg on March 15, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This is, in my opinion, the best single volume history of American law (I'm a graduate of Harvard Law School and have taught law at schools in the US and abroad). But the print is so small I need a magnifying glass to read it. It should be in two or even three volumes, but of course it would then be much more expensive. So if you have keen eyesight, or a good magnifying glass, this is a great book.
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5.0 out of 5 starsIf your interested in the "LAW"
By Debbie on March 19, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I didn't buy this book for me, but for my son, as he was showing an interest in Law of some kind. When I looked through all that there was on Amazon, it was like WOW, where do I start? At the beginning of course. I figured he needed to know where we got our rules and laws in the United States. This book sounded ok. I was first worried it being to much for him to understand right off, but such was not the case. He said it was perfect! A friend of his is taking college courses in law for being a "Paralegal", and he wishes that he had that book to start off with. He told my son, that he wanted to read it as soon as my son was finished. The friend also told my son, that he wished that he started with something like this book. So I guess I made the right choice!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsoutstanding

An excellent resource for any citizen of a 'nation of laws'. A survivalist guide for nations that want to prosper without

Published 5 months ago by floridabob
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent condition, thank you.

Published 20 months ago by G. Marie
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

good book, fast shipping

Published 20 months ago by P. Chen
5.0 out of 5 starsLegal History at its best

I went to law school years ago and wish they had given me this information then. It puts everything in context. Friedman is an excellent author and is thorough and insightful. Read more

Published on March 2, 2013 by Glenn C. Zorn
5.0 out of 5 starsAmazing!

This book is a masterpiece of scholarship. It covers the law of the United from origins to contemporary times, thourgh clearly defined chapters/sections and very lucid writing. Read more

Published on March 14, 2012 by George Everlast
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent

I'll keep this brief: The title says it all. If you are looking for an excellent, in-depth introduction to the history of law in the U.S., then look no further. Read more

Published on December 29, 2011 by A man from the east coast
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Book!

It is really great book.

DON'T BUY IT HOWEVER, FROM "ADAM TOH" BOOK SELLERS. THEIR DESCRIPTION OF THE CONDITION OF THE BOOKS IS WAY OFF.

Published on February 28, 2011 by F. Raffaele
3.0 out of 5 starsHistory of Law That's Accessible to Non-Lawyers

I am neither a lawyer nor a law student, but a researcher who occasionally ingests advice from lawyers about employment law. Read more

Published on September 14, 2009 by John M. Ford
5.0 out of 5 starsIncredibly Informative

I have just finished my first year of law school, and this book was a wonderfully informative read. The premise of the book, that progression in law coincides with progression... Read more

Published on May 20, 2009 by NYC Customer
3.0 out of 5 starsHistory of Law That's Accessible to Non-Lawyers

I am neither a lawyer nor a law student, but a researcher who occasionally ingests advice from lawyers about employment law. Read more

Published on May 2, 2009 by John M. Ford

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