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Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law 3rd Edition

by Jay M. Feinman (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 182 ratings
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The first two editions of the best-selling Law 101 provided readers with a vividly written and indispensable portrait of our nation's legal system. Now, in this third edition, Jay M. Feinman offers a fully updated survey of American law that incorporates fresh material on 2009 Supreme Court cases, the legal response to the war on terror (including the Guantanamo detainees and electronic surveillance), and to the latest developments in Internet law.

In a book brimming with legal puzzles, interesting anecdotes, and thought-provoking questions, Jay M. Feinman's clear introduction to the law provides us with a solid understanding of the American legal tradition and covers the main subjects taught in the first year of law school. Readers are introduced to every aspect of the legal system, from constitutional law and the litigation process to tort law, contract law, property law, and criminal law. Feinman illuminates each discussion with many intriguing, outrageous, and infamous cases, from the scalding coffee case that cost McDonald's half a million dollars, to the sensational murder trial in Victorian London that led to the legal definition of insanity, to the epochal decision in Marbury v. Madison that gave the Supreme Court the power to declare state and federal law unconstitutional. He broadens the reader's legal vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of everything from "due process" and "equal protection" in constitutional law to the distinction between "murder" and "manslaughter" in criminal law. Perhaps most important, we learn that though the law is voluminous and complex, it is accessible to all.

Everyone who wants a better grasp of current legal issues--from students contemplating law school, to journalists covering the legislature or the courts, to fans of Court TV--will find here a wonderful source of information: a complete, clear, and colorful map of the American legal system.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0195395131
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195395136
  3. Edition
    3rd
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    June 12, 2014
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    9.3 x 0.9 x 6.4 inches
  8. Print length
    384 pages
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From the Publisher

Law 101

Law 101

Law 101

Law 101

Law 101

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An engaging introduction to just about every aspect of law."--The American Lawyer

"All the benefits of that first year of law school without the tedium, the terror, and the sleep deprivation...These legal lessons are presented in a style nearly always engaging and very often humorous."--Jurist

"An entertaining and informative introduction to the law...For journalists, those interested in the law, and fans of television law dramas, this book should be required reading."--Library Journal

"A layperson's introduction to the legal subjects that assault every first-year law student. From constitutional law to contracts to Dickensian procedures that guide civil suites, the book gives an approachable overview of the cases and concepts that combine to form our legal system."--Newark Star-Ledger

"Though a book is aimed at laypersons, it offers a good refresher course to update legal practitioners and paraprofessionals in areas where they do not specialize. A good read overall for those interested in the law."--Booklist

"Law 101 attempts to teach you how to think like a lawyer--without requiring that you dedicate three years and tens of thousands of dollars to the task. The result? A practical book that is also a pleasure to read."--The Trenton Times

"Many readers, particularly those contemplating law school, will find this a painless introduction to American legal theory and practice."--Publishers Weekly

"Feinman's style makes for easy reading, and Law101 is chock full of analyses, anecdotes, examples, questions, and legal reasoning set out in lay terms. Overall, the book provides an excellent explanation of what American law is, and it frequently suggests ways in which it might be improved."--The Federal Lawyer

Book Description

A thoroughly revised and updated edition of the leading basic introduction to American law written for the general reader

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 3rd edition (June 12, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195395131
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195395136
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.3 x 0.9 x 6.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 182 ratings

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Jay M. Feinman

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
182 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and well-written, providing a good overview of American law. They appreciate its affordability and consider it an interesting introduction to the subject, with one customer noting how effectively it explains litigation processes. The book's pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it entertaining while others find it boring.

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34 customers mention "Content quality"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-structured, providing a good overview of legal concepts and serving as a useful reference. One customer specifically mentions that the Litigation chapter effectively explains the process.

"...It doesn’t feel overly biased, as it presents different perspectives, a refreshing quality that’s becoming less common nowadays." Read more

"...Easy to read and understand with pertinent case examples. Makes it easy to see why, what seems straightforward, is more nuanced than you would think...." Read more

"The book was a good overview of the various major subject areas of law...." Read more

"...It's a nice introduction to legal thinking with all of the "what ifs" and the discussion about social policy issues vs fact issues, but..." Read more

12 customers mention "Law knowledge"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an interesting introduction to American law, with one customer noting how it covers the general areas of law in sections, including constitutional, tort, criminal, and property law.

"...What I appreciated most were the numerous case citations, statutes, and examples...." Read more

"...0L. The book is nice because it covers the six main 1L classes: Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Torts, Contracts, Property, and Criminal Law...." Read more

"...Major concepts covered in this book include constitutional law, basic rights, tort law, contract law, property law, and criminal law...." Read more

"A first class survey of law as it exists in the United States today. It is exactly what it claims to be in the title...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and well written, with one customer noting that it avoids legal jargon.

"Fascinating and informative. Easy to read and understand with pertinent case examples...." Read more

"...Other than that section, however, I found this book to be an easy read and a good overview of the legal system and how it functions." Read more

"...Well organized and very informative. Not written in "leagalease". Essential reading for the non-lawyer needing a general knowledge of the law...." Read more

"...Well written and informative. Especially the chapter on real estate helped me understand complicated concepts...." Read more

3 customers mention "Affordability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book affordable.

"...you'll get in the first year of law school and the cost is minimal in comparison...." Read more

"...It is affordable, easily understood, and serves as an excellent textbook for first year college students." Read more

"...Amazon sometimes puts the Kindle edition on sale, but it's a bargain at the regular price." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"2 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it entertaining while others describe it as boring.

"The book was quite good but a little boring however, but what can you expect from a book on law studies." Read more

"...This book does that and at the same time is entertaining...." Read more

"...It's pretty dry and not very exciting, but it's a good reference." Read more

"Engaging and Balanced Law Book..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Adam Afyouni
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and Balanced Law Book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The book was very good. While some reviews said it can get boring at times, no one expects a law book to be thrilling. What I appreciated most were the numerous case citations, statutes, and examples. It doesn’t feel overly biased, as it presents different perspectives, a refreshing quality that’s becoming less common nowadays.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Gillian bergstrom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Law for beginners
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating and informative. Easy to read and understand with pertinent case examples. Makes it easy to see why, what seems straightforward, is more nuanced than you would think. I would recommend for any person curious about how the law works
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Doug Burger
    4.0 out of 5 stars a good overview of the major subject areas
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The book was a good overview of the various major subject areas of law. I hadn't thought much before about separate areas of law like contract, property, criminal, constitutional, etc., and how they could overlap, I appreciated that overview.
    I deducted a star for a couple of reasons. I wished the book had a terminology section that collected together the legal words it had highlighted throughout the text. I would have liked to review them in one place. As it was, I'm glad they were italicized, and I highlighted them myself for later reference.
    The other reason is that I was hoping to learn more about reading law text and legislation. Not much was written about the textual aspect of the law. The book covered the concepts of human nature that the law tries to regulate, but without much reference to the issues of trying to capture that in statutory code texts.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Greg
    5.0 out of 5 stars 0L Prespective
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is from the perspective of a 0L. The book is nice because it covers the six main 1L classes: Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Torts, Contracts, Property, and Criminal Law. It also goes into criminal procedure (the last chapter), but I didn't read about that because Criminal Procedure is an elective. The book gave a basic foundation on the subjects, but I don't think I will use it as a supplement in law school. The reason for that is the book doesn't go into a whole lot of detail given that it's written for the educated lay person. However, I did learn a ton and I think I now have a good foundation of knowledge to build upon. My main goal when reading this book was to build a general idea of what I'd learn about as a 1L and this book did a great job in meeting that end. I plan on reading Examples & Explanations books in the coming weeks and months to expand on what I learned from this book.

    If another 0L asked me if it's worth reading this book, I would probably tell her only if she had the time. I'm glad I read this but I don't think it's going to make too big of a difference in my law school grades. It's a nice introduction to legal thinking with all of the "what ifs" and the discussion about social policy issues vs fact issues, but there are other books which solely focus on legal thinking.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Not Bob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to the American Legal System
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    In Law 101, the author attempts to explain major concepts found in American law and the legal system without going into the finer detail. He succeeds.

    Major concepts covered in this book include constitutional law, basic rights, tort law, contract law, property law, and criminal law. Also covered are the litigation process in civil suits and criminal trials.

    Each of these subjects covers a lot of things, but the author has managed to succinctly summarize each one into the major things that need to be known in order to understand each topic. He also brings in famous and important court cases that really show how the law is applied to different situations. From important cases such as Marbury v. Madison or Roe v. Wade to more infamous cases such as when a woman scalded herself after spilling hot coffee and was able to successfully sue McDonald's.

    Even with the amount covered in this book, it still is only the tip of the iceberg. It really opened my eyes to just how complicated the law can be especially when it comes to dispensing justice fairly.

    I would recommend this book to those with an interest in learning about law and the American legal system. Although it will not turn you into a lawyer overnight, it will give a greater understanding of the major concepts of law and court cases often heard about in the news.
    60 people found this helpful
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  • Diva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As a lawyer from a different country, this book is a must have as a refresher and a pointer.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Emily M. Maher
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This book is well organized and does a good job of explaining most of the concepts. The section on constitutional law is complicated by sentences that are long and twisting, double negation, and a lack of explanation for certain concepts. I found that I often needed to re-read paragraphs in order to understand what the author was saying and that if I wasn't giving the book my 100% attention, I could not follow the author's train of thought. Other than that section, however, I found this book to be an easy read and a good overview of the legal system and how it functions.
    25 people found this helpful
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  • Peter T. Burke
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Title Says It All!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A first class survey of law as it exists in the United States today. It is exactly what it claims to be in the title.

    This is a great topical overview of the body of US law. It covers the general areas of law in sections and gives a clear and adequately detailed explanation of each area of law.
    I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in having a good understanding of "how it is" in US law as compared to "how it was" or "how it should be".

    Clear statements of principles, well chosen examples for discussion and very relevant discussion without attempts to sell one point of view or another makes this a great source of learning.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • ソロキャンプ大好き🪵
    5.0 out of 5 stars 法律の勉強にあたって
    Reviewed in Japan on May 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    試験対策の比較の為に購入しました。凄く頭に入って来ます。合格発表楽しみです。
    Report
  • 高津くん
    5.0 out of 5 stars 予想通りで良い。
    Reviewed in Japan on January 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    アメリカ法を学ぶ有名な入門書として期待していたレベルであった。
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