This is probably the best general-interest summary of the US legal system that I've found so far. Does a broad overview of the major areas (tort, civil procedure, criminal law, etc.) while also presenting them in a structured way and introducing general concepts and ways of thinking applicable across domains. Does a great job of presenting examples and guiding to reader to see how they could be addressed in multiple ways, and inviting the reader to think about why the law is the way it is, rather than just memorizing existing rules. I wish there were other books in this series which went more in depth into the various domains (since I'm unlikely to go to law school myself.) ( )

It pisses me off that there's a book containing everything I need to know about the American legal system when I'm dropping 30 grand a year for law school. This little jewel was on the summer reading list before my 1L year. Didn't read it; I don't read assigned books on my time.

Part of it was subject matter part of it was writing style but I found this book pretty boring. I realize that there are only a couple areas of law that are of any interest to me. And the writing style felt very jumpy which meant it took me forever to get into and finish this book. I do think that he covered an amazing amount of a material and presented a lot of it in as understandable way as could be.