Perspectives on Law Books - Page 5

The Challenge: Hamdan v. Rumsfeld and the Fight over Presidential Power

Jonathan Mahler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

An inspiring legal thriller set against the backdrop of the war on terror, The Challenge tells the inside story of a historic Supreme Court showdown. At its center are a Navy JAG and a young constitutional law professor who, in the aftermath of 9/11, find themselves defending their nation in the unlikeliest of ways: by suing the president of the United States on behalf of an accused terrorist in order to prevent the American government from breaking the law and violating the Constitution.  

Jonathan Mahler traces the journey of their client, Salim Ahmed Hamdan, from the Yemeni mosque where he was first recruited for jihad in 1998, through his years working as a driver for Osama bin Laden, to his capture in Afghanistan in November 2001 and his subsequent transfer to Guantanamo Bay. It was there that Hamdan was designated by President Bush to be tried before a special military tribunal and assigned a military lawyer to represent him, a thirty-five-year-old graduate student of the Naval Academy, Lieutenant Commander Charles Swift.                      

No one expected Swift to mount much of a defense. Not only were the rules of the tribunals, America’s first in more than fifty years, stacked against him, his superiors at the Pentagon were pressuring him to persuade Hamdan to plead guilty. But Swift didn’t believe that the tribunals were either legal or fair, so he enlisted a young Georgetown law professor named Neal Katyal to help him sue the Bush administration over their legality. In the spring of 2006, Katyal, who had almost no trial experience, took the case to the Supreme Court and won. The landmark ruling has been called the Court’s most important decision ever on presidential power and the rule of law. 

Written with the cooperation of Swift and Katyal, The Challenge follows the braided stories of Swift’s intense, precarious relationship with Hamdan and the unprecedented legal case itself. Combining rich character portraits and courtroom drama reminiscent of Jonathan Harr’s A Civil Action with sophisticated yet accessible legal analysis, The Challenge is a riveting narrative that illuminates some of the most pressing constitutional questions of the post-9/11 era.

The Supremes' Greatest Hits: The 34 Supreme Court Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life

Michael G. Trachtman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Things I should have learned in high school 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I bought this as a gift, decided I'd better preview it first, and now I don't want to give it up. I'm ordering another one. Believe what the other 5-star reviewers have written.

Well researced, sufficiently deep, and very readable 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Sure, you've heard of many of the cases in this book. But do you know what the legal underpinnings of "Roe vs. Wade" actually are? Do you know how the court derives its power?

I've been talking to everyone I know about this little gem, because it is so darn readable, and so relevant. Yesterday my local paper ran a story about filtering software the local library may soon install. And this morning I finished the book after reading about the cases that are directly tied to this course of action. So I can speak more intelligently about this issue, and I can read the paper with a more informed perspective.

Many of the cases are introduced by discussing a logical framework that parallels the facts of the case. The case is then introduced, and the arguments and reasoning that drove the court are discussed. Wow, that makes it sound really boring. But on the contrary, its a fun read and each chapter is short and encapsulated. Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

Can the government seize your house in order to build a shopping mall? Can it determine what you can do to your own body?  Why are you allowed to copy songs on a CD, but not music files the Internet? The answers to those questions come from the Supreme Court—and its rulings have shaped American life and justice. Here are 34 of the most significant issues it has grappled with—from equal rights to privacy rights, from the limits of speech to the boundaries between church and state. Many of these cases read like thrillers…right down to their cliff-hanging endings. Among the most intriguing: the Dred Scott decision, Miranda v. Arizona, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and Bush v. Gore.

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (7th Edition)

Richard Saferstein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Written by a renowned authority on forensic science, this book introduces the non-scientific reader to the field of forensic science through an exploration of its applications to criminal investigations, with clear explanations of the techniques, abilities, and limitations of the modern crime laboratory. The most current technologies, techniques, practices, and procedures highlight this book. Actual cases, including a new case study on the role of DNA evidence in the investigation of the World Trade Center crime scene, enable readers to see the integral role of forensic science in criminal investigations. Topics covered include: the crime scene, physical evidence, physical properties, organic analysis, inorganic analysis, the microscope, hairs, fibers, and paint, drugs, forensic toxicology, forensic aspects of arson and explosion investigations, forensic serology, DNA, fingerprints, firearms, toolmarks and other impressions, document and voice examination, and forensic science on the Internet. An excellent reference resource for members of the forensic science field, as well as others involved in criminal justice.

West's Business Law

Kenneth W. Clarkson

List Price: $43.55 By: Thomson Learning Amazon Marketplace: 13 new & used starting at $1.91

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

West is the best! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a highly recommended book by legal professionals. I support their opinion since this book holds a wealth of important information to help people have a vital resource to be successful. It is user friendly and the legal concepts are written to be easily understandable.

West's Business Law Alternate Edition 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The product in itself was exactly what I needed. I am taking a Business Law class as part of my curriculum in Business Administration. I have found the the book is very informative but a little dry in reading. I was pleased with the speed of how the product was shipped but displeased in the condition it arrived in for part of the binding was literally cut down the bottom. It hasn't caused any issues for use but I know I will not be able to sell the book back to anyone without losing half of what I paid for it. My advice is to be aware of what you are buying and make sure that you ask the right questions. This was my first item bought off Amazon and it was much needed for class becuase the bookstore ran out and would be a while before getting any in so really there was little to no room for argument with the vendor. Anyway make sure you ask question and be aware that New does not always mean New!!!!!

Editorial Review:

Known for its comprehensive, authoritative coverage, this text offers instructors great flexibility in choosing which areas of the law to emphasize. Cases are summarized by the authors to facilitate student comprehension.

Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (9th Edition)

Frank Schmalleger

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good text 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I used this book last semester! Very good reading. It was easy to read and understand.

Editorial Review:

The best-selling introduction to criminal justice book of all time, Criminal Justice Today 9/e, continues to set the standard with its hallmark features of theme, technology, and time.  The strengths of the book rest in the application of theoretical perspectives to current real world activities related to criminal justice issues.  New technology and cases are also incorporated, bringing the book and reader together in current issues. CJ Ethics & Professionalism Boxes stress the importance of ethical behavior for the criminal justice professional.  New Juvenile Justice chart details the flow of events in the juvenile justice system.  An added CD provides additional and in-depth coverage of important issues and background material found in book.  Also includes full opinions of important U.S. Supreme Court cases covered in the chapters.  Criminal justice professionals.

Trial Techniques (Coursebook)

Thomas A. Mauet

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good, but look at Common Sense Rules of Advocacy by Evans 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 25 people found this review helpful.

Mauet's book is very good, but Keith Evans' book, Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers, IS FOR THE ADVOCATE AND NOT THE LITIGATOR.

Keith Evans practiced as a trial lawyer in California and as a barrister in England. In addition to law school teaching, Mr. Evans also made numerous presentations to different American Inns of Court.

Evans book is now published by TheCapitol.Net, and more information about this classic of trial advocacy can be found on their web site: thecapitol.net

Best bet is to buy Mauet's book and also the Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers by Keith Evans.

A classic, but there are better books on trial techniques out there 3 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Mauet's book has been around for a long time and it's beginning to show its age. The new edition sticks with the same format and doesn't add much new material. It offers solid advice that hardly anyone would disagree with, but in fact that's one of its flaws: it just doesn't push the envelope. For example, it tries to teach trial skills by looking only at hypothetical situations and fictional characters. Why use fiction when real life is so much more interesting and instructive? Why not use real court cases and learn from the mistakes and successes of lawyers we all know about?

My favorite trial techniques book right now is Winning at Trial, written by a current US Attorney (D. Shane Read). The author not only knows what he's talking about (you get the same solid advice as with Mauet), but the book also comes with two DVDs with over 4 hours of video from televised trials (including the O.J. trial), as well as numerous transcripts from actual trials. For students, your professor is probably going to stick with whatever text they're currently using, but I would recommend Read's book as a complement to give you a better idea of what really good (and not so good) trial attorneys do in actual trials.

Disorder in the Court: Great Fractured Moments in Courtroom History

Charles M. Sevilla

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Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Goofy Things Said in Court 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

The book is a collection of things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down by court reporters. It must be tough to record some of these exchanges without laughing out loud. Fun reading for anyone, but if you have a friend who's a lawyer or a judge, it might be the perfect gift for them.

Here are some samples from the book:

ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth?
WITNESS: July 18th.
ATTORNEY: What year?
WITNESS: Every year.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: How old is your son, the one living with you?
WITNESS: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
ATTORNEY: How long has he lived with you?
WITNESS: Forty-five years.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband
said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a
person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-one-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: Uh, he's twenty-one
________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Would you repeat the question?
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby)
was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Uh....
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?

Editorial Review:

Sit back and enjoy a collection of verbatim exchanges from the halls of justice, where defendants and plaintiffs, lawyers and witnesses, juries and judges, collide to produce memorably insane comedy.

The Canterbury Tales (Oxford Paperbacks)

Geoffrey Chaucer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 84 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not the complete Canterbury Tales 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Please note: The Bantam version (translated by Hieatt) only contains the most popular of the Tales. (Use the "Inside this Book" feature to check the table of contents, as I, alas, did not.) The facing page translation is just what I was looking for, but really wanted the complete set.

canterbury tale review 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

What would it be like if you had to make a very long journey on horse back? Pretty boring, right? But what if someone had the brilliant idea of telling stories on the way there? That would make the trip go a lot faster. This is the premise of the Canterbury Tales. There are a lot of people who all want to go to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. They all met at a pub when the pub owner said that they should all tell one story on the way there and one on the way back. The version of the Canterbury tales only consists of four of the one hundred twenty eight that were told.
The first story that is told by the Nun's priest. This story is about a poor widow who lives on a farm. As you get further in this story it starts retelling the story of a chicken and a hen. This chicken had many wonderful hens around him. "This noble rooster ruled over seven hens, whose work it was to please him. They were his sisters and his wives." (pg. 20) But there was one hen named Lady Pertelote that he liked the most. One night he had a dream about a fox eating him. The next morning he told Lady Pertelote and she thought it didn't mean anything. A couple of days later a fox tricked him to shut his eyes and then the fox snuck up behind him and snatched him in his mouth. He was saved by the widow.
The next person to tell was the pardoner. His story was about greed. There were three people who were searching for death because they heard of all the horrible things he had done and wanted to kill him. While on their way they met an old man who told the men, "If you're so anxious to find Death, turn up this crooked road. I left him in that grove, under a tree and there he'll stay." (pg. 41) So that's what they did. When they got there they saw a sack full of gold and decided not to chase after Death but take the gold by night. They decided for one of them to go into the city and get wine to celebrate. The person that went was the youngest of them all. While he was gone the two thought up a plan to kill the third one so that they only had to split the money between them. The third boy wanted the money all to himself so he poisoned two of the bottles of wine and left one free of poison for himself. As he got the tree the two men killed him and they celebrated by drinking the wine and they died too. In the end they all got there wish. They met Death.
Those two were my favorite and the next two are by the Wife of Bath and the Franklin. The wife of Bath is about a man who threatens the life of another if they don't tell him what women want. The franklin's tale is about women who loved a man who left her and she was very sad. Nothing could make her feel better. If you want to know what happens at the end of these stories you'll have to read the book.
Historically this book is very good. It is based in the year of 1386. It show the life style of people who lived in the middle ages. It taught me that not all people were rich back then. It is historically spot on but the thing about this book is because it was written in the middle ages all the living conditions are right but it's very whimsical. Chickens can't talk, and Death isn't a person. In a way it shows how people thought back then. It tells us that some people might have wanted to meet death. Maybe in a physical way because they wanted to die or they just wanted to see someone death took away from them.
The reason I liked this book was because of the old English. I like taking in the metaphors and deciphering it. If you like Shakespeare then you'll most likely like this book. It is very whimsical and magical. It shows the people in the middle ages in a very metaphorical way. This book shows how life can be mystical and great even when you don't except it.

Editorial Review:

David Wright's new translation of The Canterbury Tales into modern verse--the first to appear in over thirty years--makes one of the greatest works of English literature accessible to all readers while preserving the wit and vivacity of Chaucer's original text.

Constitution of the United States (Little Books of Wisdom)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good ideas, but they'll never work in practice... 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 8 people found this review helpful.

.
This work of legislative science fiction is a great idea. One can only wish that some country some day will put it into practice. It's a very nice, well-thought out, comprehensive and fairly consistent piece of political fiction.

The problem is that the ideas herein will never work in practice. At least not unless some stronger checks and balances are put on the rapid communications systems and media developed since this great endeavor and document was first formulated over 200 years ago.

The importance of this admirable ideological manifesto should none the less never be overrated. After all - as President G W Bush so eloquently has remarked - "It's just a piece of paper".

Don't look at what the supposed adherents of the principles within this "Constitution" preach and teach, look at what they do.

The constitution of the body of politics enacted by these adherents is certainly in bad health these days (April 2007). It's the constitution of a dying person, not even receiving intensive care.

Action always speaks louder than words. Take a close look at the deeds justified by this Constitution, and listen well to what they say.

Ole Ullern

Editorial Review:

The landmark legal document of the United States, the U.S. Constitution comprises the primary law of the Federal Governement. Signed by the members of the Consitutional Concention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, the Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the Federal Government, as well as the basic rights of the citizens of the United States. This beautiful gift edition contains the complete text of the United States Constitution, as well as all of its amendments. It is a treasure for Americans of all ages.

Knowledge And Decisions

Thomas Sowell

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Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

With a new preface by the author, this reissue of Thomas Sowell’s classic study of decision making updates his seminal work in the context of The Vision of the Annointed, Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society suffers from an ever-widening gap between firsthand knowledge and decision making—a gap that threatens not only our economic and political efficiency, but our very freedom because actual knowledge gets replaced by assumptions based on an abstract and elitist social vision f what ought to be.Knowledge and Decisions, a winner of the 1980 Law and Economics Center Prize, was heralded as a ”landmark work” and selected for this prize ”because of its cogent contribution to our understanding of the differences between the market process and the process of government.” In announcing the award, the center acclaimed Sowell, whose ”contribution to our understanding of the process of regulation alone would make the book important, but in reemphasizing the diversity and efficiency that the market makes possible, [his] work goes deeper and becomes even more significant.”