Reviews (1)

Not for the Non-Specialist Reader
Daniel N. Robinson's Wild Beasts and Idle Humours (The Insanity Defense from Antiquity to the Present) sounds and looks more fun than it actually will be for the average reader without a sure grounding in legal, philosophical and psychological theory and history.The author does indeed cover the period from antiquity to the present, as per the sub-title, and provides many interesting ideas along the way, taking a rather conservative approach, but there are also many cases and people just dropped into the book without any explanation on the assumption that the reader will be familiar with all of these legal cases and philosophers from the past two centuries.A grounding in classical and medieval history (with luck I did have that) will help the reader manage the first part of the book.For students of legal history, this book could prove quite interesting and, perhaps, invaluable as the author makes a clever attempt to bring ideas of insanity as far back as the writings of Homer and Hesiod.For this poor soul, the book was a struggle with a few rewards along the way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Criminal Law - General    3. General    4. Law    5. Legal History    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Pathological Psychology    8. Clinical psychology    9. Criminal law    10. Disability: social aspects    11. English law: criminal law    12. History of medicine    13. Jurisprudence & General Issues    14. Law / Criminal Procedure    15. Social history    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Constitutional    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Jurisprudence & General Issues    6. Law / Constitutional   

Reviews (1)

An Unsurpassed Wealth of Insight about Justice.
After five dazzling books each penned - in its own way - at the outlands of the vast intellectual map he is master of - William Ian Miller now gives us Eye for an Eye- a supercharged book fixed inexorably, brilliantly and meticulously at the core of his unrivaled expertise on revenge cultures; a book which explicates with extraordinary sensitivity,precision, even delicacy Miller's tough-minded sensibility about justice. In his preface Miller calls his book "an anti-theory of justice." The appellation is less a description of his own work than a concise critique (so very concise, indeed, as to be a flat dismissal) of the abstract theories of justice that have dominated the academy in the past century and have made scholarly writings about justice irrelevant to 99.99% of the world. Yet Miller's book is a theory of justice -one which insists that justice is about righting the balance, achieving reciprocity and cultivating a willingness to bear the not inconsiderable costs of getting even. Miller explores and explains the nuances of balance in its relation to wrongdoing and he argues convincingly that revenge - to be worthy of the name - must be finely tuned, skillfully measured, and meted out with intelligence (not to mention style). Miller demonstrates the admirable sophistication of revenge cultures. He shows us both how vengeance within such cultures was not indiscriminate, unbridled violence and that much intellectual agility and practical reasonableness went into getting it right when getting even.
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Subjects:  1. Government - Comparative    2. History    3. Jurisprudence    4. Law    5. Law, Ancient    6. Law, Primitive    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Lex talionis    9. Ethics & moral philosophy    10. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law    11. Law / Jurisprudence   

Subjects:  1. Abbreviations    2. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    3. Dictionaries    4. International    5. Latin America    6. Law    7. Law (General)    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Portuguese    10. Spanish    11. Jurisprudence & General Issues    12. Law / International   

Reviews (1)

Perhaps the least useful casebook on Evidence
All law students know that casebooks vary in utility, both for students,and practioners.My Criminal Procedure casebook, for example, wasperfectly organized, beautifully cross referenced, and still remains partof my bookshelf, even as a practicing lawyer.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cases    2. Evidence    3. Evidence (Law)    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. United States    7. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Bankruptcy & Insolvency    2. Cases    3. Debtor and creditor    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. United States    7. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Reviews (1)

A Fine Addition to the Literature on Judicial Behavior
Professor Baum has added another important book to the literature on judicial behavior in this interesting volume. Building upon some themes in his influential "The Puzzle of Judicial Behavior" (1997), his intent is to suggest in this exploratory study an additional perspective on judges.First, he succinctly reviews the major models used to study judicial behavior--attitudinal, strategic and legal.He suggests that students of the judiciary also would have much to gain by focusing upon the audiences judges seek to impress.Moreover, judges seek to impress these "salient" audiences not only for strategic reasons (such as promotion or to enhance their influence among colleagues), but because they covent the esteem of these groups for its own sake.An interesting chapter discusses judging as self-presentation, including some useful concepts from social psychology.The remaining chapters target particular audiences: colleagues, the public, other branches, social and professional groups, "policy groups" such as the Federalist Society, and the news media.His discussion of the so-called "Greenhouse effect" whereby judges become integrated into the liberal Washington social set (i.e., the Georgetown crew) is interesting, but lacks persuasive support, especially given the Washington Post's recent assertion that McLean, Virginia is the new power center, and it isn't inhabited by liberals to be sure.Baum recognizes that he lacks much data to support this approach since studies employing it have not been undertaken; but this is only a suggestive study and so this is not a major defect.Superior research is evidenced in his notes; the bibliography in and of itself is a substantial contribution. And best of it, it is quite a readable book for the general public, as well as specialists in the field. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Procedure    2. General    3. Government - Judicial Branch    4. Judges    5. Judicial Power    6. Judicial process    7. Jurisprudence    8. Law    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Psychological aspects    11. United States    12. Courts & procedure    13. Jurisprudence & General Issues    14. Law / Jurisprudence    15. Political Science and International Relations    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - Judicial Branch    2. Jurisprudence    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Legal System    6. Methodology    7. Philosophy    8. Jurisprudence & General Issues    9. Law / Jurisprudence   

Reviews (3)

3 stars from a fence-sitter
One can obtain copies of previous editions for as little as 1 USD
A good text-book with which to teach
I teach a legal research and writing course withthis textbook at UCLA and have found it very helpful. The book is well organized, has good homeworkproblems, reasonably clear writing and fine illustrations.My students find it very helpful in their studies.Its only two flaws are that it does not use California law in its problems and has only one problem at its end totest all of the student's research skills.In a perfect world, two comprehensive research problems would be included to ensure that students have fully grasped the principles involved. While I have used the 4th edition over the last 3 years with great success, I am confident that this 5th edition (which I have read and am presently using in my class)will be equally effective.I only give it four stars because of the two flaws described above and the limited answers to homework problems given in the teacher's edition.

Great book for basic legal research
This book explains to the first year law student how to go about legal research in the library and on the internet.It has practice exercises inthe back of the book to facilitate the learning process.It is a quickread on all the main sources of legal research and general legal writing. It breaks down the elements of research into small, easy to manage partsthat don't make you feel totally overwhelmed during your first researchpaper. I think it is a great tool for the first year law student. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Information storage and retrie    2. Information storage and retrieval systems    3. Law    4. Legal Education    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Legal Writing    7. Legal research    8. Research    9. United States    10. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Cambodia    2. Courts    3. Crimes against humanity    4. Criminal Law - General    5. Criminal justice, Administration of    6. General    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Genocide    10. International humanitarian law    11. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Subjects:  1. International Relations - General    2. Jurisprudence    3. Law    4. Military - General    5. Moral and ethical aspects    6. Philosophy    7. Political aspects    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Romanticism    10. United States    11. War    12. War (International law)    13. Ethics & moral philosophy    14. Foundations of law    15. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law    16. Law / Jurisprudence    17. Political Science and International Relations    18. Social & political philosophy    19. Sociology    20. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    21. USA    22. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. Civil Procedure    2. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    3. General    4. History - General History    5. History: American    6. Indians of North America    7. Legal status, laws, etc    8. Native Americans    9. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Native Americans    10. Citizenship & nationality law    11. Jurisprudence & General Issues    12. Land rights    13. Social history    14. Social law    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Consumer    2. Consumer protection    3. Information society    4. Law    5. Law and legislation    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Taxation    8. Telematics    9. United States    10. Business law    11. Commercial law    12. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    3. General    4. Government relations    5. Indian Reorganization Act    6. Indians of North America    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Legal status, laws, etc    9. Legal status, laws, etc.    10. Legislative history    11. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    12. Political Science    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Social Policy    15. Tribal government    16. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Native Americans    17. United States    18. Central government policies    19. Civil rights & citizenship    20. Constitutional & administrative law    21. Indigenous peoples    22. Jurisprudence & General Issues    23. Political structure & processes    24. Social issues    25. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    3. General    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Law    7. Law (General)    8. Legal History    9. Legal Profession    10. Legal System    11. Legal assistants    12. Paralegals & Paralegalism    13. Philosophy Of Law    14. Politics / Current Events    15. United States    16. Business & Economics / General    17. Jurisprudence & General Issues    18. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law   

Reviews (7)

The Cultural Defense - For those whose cultures are not hegemonic in America...
While some would explain away cultural defenses as "cultural excuses" for crimes, it is important to note (as Renteln's book repeatedly does) that American morals and values are not hegemonic throughout the world. This being said, Renteln's ideas are not without controversy, as providing parents who fondle their children with a sound legal defense is likely to raise the eyebrows of even the most liberal of defense advocates.
When in Rome: Using Culture as an Excuse
Although Alison Dundes Rentein professes an interesting case for the validity of integrating cultural background into a defense in criminal court, and uses solid case law to defend her claims, there are many issues about cultural pluralism and the power of a percieved American national identity that the author fails to combat.
CULTURAL DEFENSE
From the Publisher:Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Jurisprudence    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Jurisprudence & General Issues    7. Law / Jurisprudence    8. Law | Law & Society   

Reviews (21)

Questions you were afraid to askabout the book of Gen
Dershowitz brings his long experience as a a lawyer to discuss the apparently overwhelming INjustice in the book of Genesis.
worst book I've read
This is perhaps the worst book I've ever read. Dershowitz is a fundamentalist when interpreting the Bible. Therefore, he assumes that each and every story happened just as the Bible relates it. Since this is a severe improbability, if not impossibility, the whole premise of the book is incorrect. From this, Dershowitz makes the argument that God is not omniscient, omnipotent, or even capable of making just decisions. He argues that God is fallible and that it is our responsibility to "call" God on His injustices. Had I understood this was the angle of the book, I would have never picked it up in the first place. Overall, it was a monumental waste of time because the book does not contain any new or useful information, much less any interesting viewpoints.

Engaging and Entertaining...
For those with an open mind and a thirst for new Biblical insights, this book is a delight.It is just what you might expect from a brilliant legal mind, and more.Alan Dershowitz shares his research and analysis in an engaging and entertaining style on a subject for which he obviously has a tremendous passion.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - Old Testament    3. Bible.    4. Biblical teaching    5. Criticism    6. Criticism, interpretation, etc    7. Ethics    8. General    9. Genesis    10. Jurisprudence    11. Justice    12. O.T    13. O.T.    14. Religion    15. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    16. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    17. Books of the Old Testament    18. Foundations of law    19. Law / General   

Reviews (5)

A Relativist's View of Islam and the Qu'ran
Hallaq hides behind big words and poor construction for about the first 200 pages of his book before getting to the simple point that he wishes to make: he believes that Muslims place too much emphasis on a literal interpetation of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. His solution is that all Muslims know and have the exact same definition of what is "in the public interests," and that should take the place of the Qur'an. For most of the book he does a lot of talking but avoids any detailed discussions of Islamic Orthodoxy other than a brief synopsis of Imam Shafi's Risala. His focus and his sideways talk through the begining of the book are always a long-winded nudge to the idea that Imam Hanafi and many scholars who give us the Islam we have today, are at best, ordinary Muslims. And today, for a reason he never explains, we should follow Islam as Hallaq interpets it. I forgot; he does givea reason. Islam, acccording to Hallaq, should adapt to the pressure it is getting from the West. Literal interpetation of God's word is outdated according to Hallaq. He says the problems of today's Muslim world are because during Islam's formative period anyone could participate in disscussions deciding what Islam was supposed to be back then. Today he is a certified reformer with a new Islam for those who are tired of God's word reinging supreme in the orthodox interpetation of Islam. This is not a book about sunni Isalmic legal theories. The title is dishonest. He really only expounds and advocates his methodology of Islamic law. All others are brushed by and given an implied stamp of inferior. If you don't like the idea of an ABSOLUTE GOD and an Eternal, Perfect Revelation that you MUST obey, then this book is for you.
Extremely Well Written
In addition to the existing comments: A good introduction
This book is more than a History, it basically defines the Usul al-fiqh terms and their development and historically how the concept were being developed, changed and added on. For being about only Sunni Usul al-fikh the scope is limited to a certain sect. Author takes you through early years when he claims no methodology were existed than to Imam Shafii whom he does not put as a founding father in the field of fikh, continues with some quranic concepts like clear/ambigious ayats, foundations of hadits, abbrogation and than into tools of the law, concensus, ijma, qiyas, istihsan, istishab,ijtihad etc. The best part of the book is that author provides examples of each concept for illustration, explains opinions of known mujtehits on the subjects. The book closes with modernist efforts by F.Rahman and especially the author have high regards for Shahrur. The book shows although not in broad acceptance by everybody, the change in methodology from using Quran and Sunna of the Prophet(pbh) to Quran only and socio/politic conditions of the current times and elimination of Ijma or ancient ijtihads. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. International    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Law    4. Islamic Law    5. Jurisprudence    6. Law    7. Life Sciences - Botany    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Islamic law--Interpretation and construction    12. Law / General   

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law - General    2. Jurisprudence    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Crime & criminology    6. Law / Jurisprudence   

Reviews (1)

Excellent
Contains detailed explanations of the Supreme Court's most important cases. Unbiased description of both sides' arguments, the issues at hand, background information, justices' positions, etc. Also has a small boxcontaing the most relevant facts of each case, which is quite helpful.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cases    2. Constitutional    3. Constitutional Law    4. Courts - General    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Reference    8. United States    9. Civil law (general works)    10. Jurisprudence & General Issues    11. Law / Constitutional    12. Reference works    13. USA