From Library Journal
Dusky examines American legal education, legal practice, and the law and its application and finds all three seriously wanting in the treatment of women. Prompted by a news item about injustices suffered by a divorced mother, Dusky sought out additional examples of sexism and draws sweeping conclusions about the U.S. legal system. While her background as a journalist brings a refreshing perspective, her generalizations and use of extreme situations as representative of the whole substantially weaken her argument. A broader outlook and recognition of the vast differences between the states and of the changes over time could have made her book a valuable and more evenhanded analysis. In addition, this work suffers from what attorneys call "over breadth"; that is, it tries to cover too much. Although Dusky's style will appeal to general readers, her prejudices and occasional inaccuracies make this a marginal purchase.?Suzanne Pierce Dyer, Alameda Cty. Law Lib., Oakland, Cal.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Despite "small progress," journalist Dusky argues that "our legal system is still the most backward, sexist, offensive set of institutions in the country." She examines women's experiences in law school, in legal practice, and as victims, defendants, and plaintiffs in U.S. courtrooms. Dusky researches both academic and popular literature to demonstrate that women--43 percent of law students--remain unwelcome interlopers at many schools. She sketches the history of women in U.S. law schools, challenges the "think like a lawyer" case method, and discusses the major schools' refusal to give tenure to women (especially African American and feminist women). The legal practice section notes women's obstacles to getting hired, becoming a partner, finding time for family, getting credit for their own rainmaking, and dealing with harassment. The book's best section may be the analysis of how the courts treat women: "lady lawyers," but mainly nonlawyers embroiled in divorce, custody, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases. There's nothing lawyerly here; perhaps that's why Dusky sheds light on problems lawyerly types prefer to ignore. Mary Carroll
