Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law, Fifth Edition 5th Edition

Law 101 is an outstanding overview of fundamental legal definitions, concepts, principles and practices in the United States today. It clearly compares and contrasts the different paths a legal situation can take through appropriate procedures in civil or criminal law. It confirms or corrects understandings or misunderstandings you may have about what the law is and how legal procedure works. It gives an appreciation for the many degrees of guilt or innocence that can be decided in a given situation for specific circumstances and the specific plaintiff or defendant. Of particular interest to me is how judicial review occurs, especially at the U.S. Supreme Court level. This book is very readable for the total lay person like me, with lots of illustrative real world examples. Interesting and highly recommended reading!

This up to date (5th Edition) and excellent survey book by Jay M. Feinman is a 'must read' for new readers about our legal system, such as pre-law, or law enforcement students, which could help them develop a solid understanding the basic framework of our American system of law and equity. I believe students would do well to combine this book with a good dictionary of legal terms or phrases, as such terms will inevitably arise in their readings that may well have previously had a narrower meaning for them, such as in a generic sense, but which could take on a greatly enhanced meaning given a more thorough and focused explication.And, I think it could also be a a great survey book for lawyers, law enforcement personnel, historians, and perhaps even media commentators, or others, the focus of whose work relies on a broadly-based basic understanding of the American legal system. Of necessity, practicing lawyers tend to specialize in their work, and even assuming that most of them tend to try to keep up with new developments in the law that could impact their work, it couldn't hurt to read works like this which are focused reminders of the broader picture.

Professor Feinman has authored one of the easiest to read yet substantive beginning law books. Law 101 is required reading for my college students. They love it! Not to mention, this book is reasonably priced and available on Kindle. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in the American legal system.

Pros:1. The book is easy to read, there are certain books where you have to like google at least one or two words a page or sometimes more but this isn't the case here.2. This is a layman's book for sure like it's very basic.3. The book references certain cases, and brings in good logical examples to bring out laws. Like for example the book uses a McDonalds coffee case to explain the importance of tort law.Cons:1. My #2 pro is also a con, this book is a layman's book to a fault, i'm taking an intro to law class right now and i've learned more in that class then I have from this book. This is a rather subjective comment though I guess. Some people look for a book that is simple, quick, and can brief them a bit on a subject. If you're like me however, where you look to learn entire concepts, ideas, and subjects from books you choose to devote time to read then this is a negative. Not to mention the book is called "everything you need to know about American Law" but in all honesty it's actually more of an intro to to general law book.Conclusion: this is a good read if you're looking for something quick, brief, and that can give you the basics. Like I said this is essentially an intro to law book. AN intro to law book is everything you need to know if you aren't pursuing a field or career in this area. But if you are it's not.

This is the best introduction and review book on US law that I have ever read. And I am reading many to gain an understanding of the Americal legal system. The information is up to date, very easy to read and understand, and delivers the reader with the best intro and understanding of the law. Start your education or current review/update with this exceptionally good law review. The posed question and answer format is the best I have seen! A Must Buy!

The book does a great job with making the law relatable to current or common events and arguing both sides.

Essential Law book for anyone wishing to study American Law. It covers all of the necessities and offers great detail! JDs need to have this in their libraries.

Capsule-sized primer regarding the legal system here in USA. Sounds and reads like a wise and fair law professor reaching out to all who want a fairly detailed overview of the law. A remedy for ignorance is always valuable, especially on this subject.

This book is awesome. I am not layperson on legal. Actually I have been working on legal matters for 15 years here in South America and found this book a must read for every one of us who wants to get some basic knowledge on the USA legal system, even more, if you are thinking of to go for it or not(deciding whether legal works are fit for you). Well written, with a lot of why’s and examples, concepts that is more than enough to bring the reader some idea how the cogs work on this mechanism. Brilliant. 10 out 10.

Excellent book!

(Best introduction ever to American Law for natives and foreigers.)Claro, conciso e envolvente, o trabalho de Feinman consegue despertar o interesse do leitor e navegar com naturalidade pelas regras e várias nuances do sistema legal americano, muito diferente (também porque tem objetivos diferentes) dos manuais e introduções ao direito dos países da comunidade europeia e da América latina mais focados em uma abordagem filosófica e academicista. Por sua vez, a preocupação de Feinman em seu livro é revelar ao leitor todo um mundo de princípios e regras jurídicas, tradições e estruturas judiciárias, sobre as quais se pode mais tarde estabelecer análises filosóficas e abordagens sociológicas a exemplo de outros países. Escrito com simplicidade sem banalizar a terminologia jurídica é uma obra altamente compreensível, se comparado ao juridiquês comum a manuais e textos jurídicos.Diferente da maioria dos autores, o escritor fornece ao leitor o que mais importa ao estudo do direito: o próprio direito, seus sistemas, bases e procedimentos, suas regras e seus agentes. A obra me parece-me a mais convidativa introdução as regras processuais norte americanas.Fundamental para não só ensinar, mas instigar o estudante a pensar mais profundamente sobre a natureza da lei, sua aplicação e seus critérios de validade.Ponto extra pelo uso de casos reais, bem explicados e relevantes para demonstrar a aplicação da lei americana no caso concreto, o funcionamento e interpretação dada pelos tribunais americanos.