07 March 2006
Slim Little Volume
Law in America
is a short history that is introductory. Precocious high schoolers who paid attention in Government class will not learn anything here. Friedman charts the changes in society that led to changes in legal interpretations. The book has odd, repetitive moments where notes or ghostwriters were confused. The author never notes that his interpretation of Constitutional history is, especially in our present political moment, highly controversial in some circles. Robert Bork or the Heritage Foundation would not be amused and in fact have their own constitutional histories out. The fact that I don’t share their points of view does not mean they do not exist.
There is an entire series of these introductory pieces, the Modern Library Chronicles. Several look interesting, but I have read too much for this example to be appealing. No stars.
is a short history that is introductory. Precocious high schoolers who paid attention in Government class will not learn anything here. Friedman charts the changes in society that led to changes in legal interpretations. The book has odd, repetitive moments where notes or ghostwriters were confused. The author never notes that his interpretation of Constitutional history is, especially in our present political moment, highly controversial in some circles. Robert Bork or the Heritage Foundation would not be amused and in fact have their own constitutional histories out. The fact that I don’t share their points of view does not mean they do not exist.There is an entire series of these introductory pieces, the Modern Library Chronicles. Several look interesting, but I have read too much for this example to be appealing. No stars.
