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The Law Says What? Stuff You Didn't Know About the Law
There’s some important stuff you don’t know about the law (but really should)!
What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? When can you legally use self-defense? How the hell does the Electoral College work, and who came up with it anyway? We hear about the law everywhere, from our social media feeds to 24/7 news coverage, and even during heated debates with friends and family. But do the people we’re listening to really understand the law, or how it works?
The Law Says What? offers a crash course on some of the most bizarre, infuriating, and vitally important legal topics of today. Using real-world cases as a guide, you’ll explore laws that affect your everyday life and analyze the rationales behind the ones that might make your head spin. Your mind will be blown and you’ll even find yourself laughing as you learn about the weird quirks of criminal law, civil law, contract law, property law, tort law, international law, and courtroom procedure.
You’ll discover things like:
Why the police don’t actually have a legal duty to protect you
How marijuana is both legal and illegal at the same time
When you can be charged for murder without actually killing anyone
What someone has to do to legally steal your property
And much more!
Harvard Law School graduate and practicing attorney Maclen Stanley has already studied all the boring laws so you don’t have to, condensing the real-world legal cases into fascinating stories with valuable information. Designed to be easily digestible for all readers, you’ll feel like you’re having a casual conversation with a friend, rather than reading your mortgage disclosures.
This book will help you make better decisions and have deeper conversations about the most important laws that affect you, your family, and your friends on a daily basis. Along the way, you’ll see that, in practice, the law—much like the human beings that create and enforce it—is actually pretty weird.
The Law Says What? is perfect for fans of books like Freakonomics and Outliers, and anyone else who’s looking to engage with modern political discussions, educate themselves about the curiosities of our legal system, or even attend law school.
You’ll also love this book if you’re curious about:
Current events
Politics
The U.S. legal system
The Constitution
The justice system
What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? When can you legally use self-defense? How the hell does the Electoral College work, and who came up with it anyway? We hear about the law everywhere, from our social media feeds to 24/7 news coverage, and even during heated debates with friends and family. But do the people we’re listening to really understand the law, or how it works?
The Law Says What? offers a crash course on some of the most bizarre, infuriating, and vitally important legal topics of today. Using real-world cases as a guide, you’ll explore laws that affect your everyday life and analyze the rationales behind the ones that might make your head spin. Your mind will be blown and you’ll even find yourself laughing as you learn about the weird quirks of criminal law, civil law, contract law, property law, tort law, international law, and courtroom procedure.
You’ll discover things like:
Why the police don’t actually have a legal duty to protect you
How marijuana is both legal and illegal at the same time
When you can be charged for murder without actually killing anyone
What someone has to do to legally steal your property
And much more!
Harvard Law School graduate and practicing attorney Maclen Stanley has already studied all the boring laws so you don’t have to, condensing the real-world legal cases into fascinating stories with valuable information. Designed to be easily digestible for all readers, you’ll feel like you’re having a casual conversation with a friend, rather than reading your mortgage disclosures.
This book will help you make better decisions and have deeper conversations about the most important laws that affect you, your family, and your friends on a daily basis. Along the way, you’ll see that, in practice, the law—much like the human beings that create and enforce it—is actually pretty weird.
The Law Says What? is perfect for fans of books like Freakonomics and Outliers, and anyone else who’s looking to engage with modern political discussions, educate themselves about the curiosities of our legal system, or even attend law school.
You’ll also love this book if you’re curious about:
Current events
Politics
The U.S. legal system
The Constitution
The justice system
- GenresLawNonfiction
190 pages
Published July 25, 2021
161 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Maclen Stanley
1 book14 followersMaclen Stanley is a Harvard Law School graduate and currently runs a law firm dedicated to pursuing claims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination. Prior to his legal career, he received his Ed.M. in Developmental Psychology from Harvard and taught courses in psychology.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, who is also a lawyer and just happened to be sitting next to him during his very first law school lecture. They argue less than you’d think.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, who is also a lawyer and just happened to be sitting next to him during his very first law school lecture. They argue less than you’d think.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 27, 2025
A Retired Lawyer Reads "The Law Says What?"
I retired from a nearly forty-year career as a lawyer in 2010 to pursue other interests, including reading and writing reviews. I haven't much missed the practice but took the opportunity to read "The Law Says What? Stuff you didn't Know about the Law (But Really Should)" when the author, Maclen Stanley, kindly offered me a review copy. Stanley is enterprising, ambitious and intelligent with graduate studies in psychology in addition to his law degree from Harvard. He maintains his own law firm which specializes in gender-related issues.
Stanley's book is intended for non-lawyers and has two large goals. First the book introduces the reader to the "interesting, weird, and sometimes irritating things that you don't know about the law, but really should". Thus Stanley tries to show what the law is about and why people should know and think about it in their daily lives.
Second the book tries to show the reader "how to think like a lawyer". "Think like a lawyer" is almost a cliche in legal education and practice, but the book tries to show its lay readers how to analyze and consider broad legal issues rather than expounding an endless stream of statutes, cases, and rules. The book encourages thinking about the "why" of the law -- the essential part of almost any enterprise. Stanley emphasizes throughout the human, discretionary, fallible character of the law and also the crucial point that "the law is inherently political -- or at least ideological". On many matters, one's view of the law will align with one's politics or more broadly one's philosophy and way of understanding life. Stanley aims to give the reader a sense of the "grey nature of the law and the surprising amount of subjectivity and discretion involved in legal analyses and interpretation." From my own years of practice, I agree with Stanley and find that he conveys his sense of law well to readers who are not attorneys.
The book is short, punchy, and colloquially written. It shows a fine sense of humor and lightness of touch. The work consists of six chapters which cover the broad topics of the police, crime and punishment, self-defense, individual rights, employers and landlords, and the judicial system. Each chapter begins with a legal doctrine that, in the author's words, is "weird" or perhaps controversial, or counter-intuitive. He gives examples of the doctrine as developed in cases, the Constitution, or other legal sources. Then in sections titled "But ... Why", Stanley tries to develop a rationale for the "weird" legal doctrine. His point is not to convince the reader that the doctrine is correct but rather to learn to see that there are different sides to most questions and to think the matter through for oneself. For all the apparent irreverance of some of the book, it is even-handed and thoughtful. Several topical, hot-button issues are discussed including abortion and the Amaud Arbery case, prior to the recent trial and verdict. There are also sections in each chapter titled "Crash Courses" which offer short summaries of various legal issues. These sections seemed to me somewhat dry and vaguely brought back my time in law school many years ago.
Stanley has mastered a great deal of legal thinking, and he presents it to the reader in a provocative, interesting way. The book will enhance the reader's understanding of the American legal system and its pervasive role in American life and encourage thought on its strengths and possible weaknesses. Some portions of this book are elementary to those readers with legal training. But I learned a great deal from the book about the law and about the career in which I spent many years. This book encourages reflection about the law and about the importance in life and law of considering different outlooks and points of view.
Robin Friedman
I retired from a nearly forty-year career as a lawyer in 2010 to pursue other interests, including reading and writing reviews. I haven't much missed the practice but took the opportunity to read "The Law Says What? Stuff you didn't Know about the Law (But Really Should)" when the author, Maclen Stanley, kindly offered me a review copy. Stanley is enterprising, ambitious and intelligent with graduate studies in psychology in addition to his law degree from Harvard. He maintains his own law firm which specializes in gender-related issues.
Stanley's book is intended for non-lawyers and has two large goals. First the book introduces the reader to the "interesting, weird, and sometimes irritating things that you don't know about the law, but really should". Thus Stanley tries to show what the law is about and why people should know and think about it in their daily lives.
Second the book tries to show the reader "how to think like a lawyer". "Think like a lawyer" is almost a cliche in legal education and practice, but the book tries to show its lay readers how to analyze and consider broad legal issues rather than expounding an endless stream of statutes, cases, and rules. The book encourages thinking about the "why" of the law -- the essential part of almost any enterprise. Stanley emphasizes throughout the human, discretionary, fallible character of the law and also the crucial point that "the law is inherently political -- or at least ideological". On many matters, one's view of the law will align with one's politics or more broadly one's philosophy and way of understanding life. Stanley aims to give the reader a sense of the "grey nature of the law and the surprising amount of subjectivity and discretion involved in legal analyses and interpretation." From my own years of practice, I agree with Stanley and find that he conveys his sense of law well to readers who are not attorneys.
The book is short, punchy, and colloquially written. It shows a fine sense of humor and lightness of touch. The work consists of six chapters which cover the broad topics of the police, crime and punishment, self-defense, individual rights, employers and landlords, and the judicial system. Each chapter begins with a legal doctrine that, in the author's words, is "weird" or perhaps controversial, or counter-intuitive. He gives examples of the doctrine as developed in cases, the Constitution, or other legal sources. Then in sections titled "But ... Why", Stanley tries to develop a rationale for the "weird" legal doctrine. His point is not to convince the reader that the doctrine is correct but rather to learn to see that there are different sides to most questions and to think the matter through for oneself. For all the apparent irreverance of some of the book, it is even-handed and thoughtful. Several topical, hot-button issues are discussed including abortion and the Amaud Arbery case, prior to the recent trial and verdict. There are also sections in each chapter titled "Crash Courses" which offer short summaries of various legal issues. These sections seemed to me somewhat dry and vaguely brought back my time in law school many years ago.
Stanley has mastered a great deal of legal thinking, and he presents it to the reader in a provocative, interesting way. The book will enhance the reader's understanding of the American legal system and its pervasive role in American life and encourage thought on its strengths and possible weaknesses. Some portions of this book are elementary to those readers with legal training. But I learned a great deal from the book about the law and about the career in which I spent many years. This book encourages reflection about the law and about the importance in life and law of considering different outlooks and points of view.
Robin Friedman
July 21, 2021
Entertaining, informative, and a bit scary
We all think we know a lot about legal principles: We can’t be tried twice for the same crime; police have a duty to protect all citizens; your home is your castle, and you have a right to use “deadly force” against someone invading your home without your permission. Think again! It is not as straightforward as it sounded in civics class or on the news. In The Law Says What? attorney Maclen Stanley gives us the real lowdown on these and a lot of other legal issues, like abortion restrictions, the powers of juries, and the odd legal status of marijuana.
Maclen Stanley has a real way with words (I would NOT want to face him in court!), and in his hands what could have been a very dry subject becomes the sort of book where I kept interrupting my reading to share fun tidbits with my longsuffering spouse. There is lots of history, going all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, where reportedly Augustus Caesar banished an actor for “giving the finger” to an audience member who booed him. There are interesting cases, such as the famous incident where a woman won $5 million from McDonald’s because she was burned when she spilled coffee in her lap and lesser known but just as interesting ones I won’t describe so as not to spoil the fun of discovery. There are odd little details, like the legal guidance that says the “c” in “Court” should be capitalized only when referring to the Supreme Court; our local District court does not merit the capital letter. I consider myself pretty well-informed for a layperson, but I learned a LOT.
If you do not consider yourself too well-informed about the law, do not worry. Stanley provides good definitions for legal terms and concepts, and he does it in a way that did not make me feel he was “talking down” to me.
I highly recommend this book to a broad cross-section of readers. As a matter of fact, the first among my own acquaintances to come to mind are attorneys. I think they will enjoy it. And they might even learn something!
We all think we know a lot about legal principles: We can’t be tried twice for the same crime; police have a duty to protect all citizens; your home is your castle, and you have a right to use “deadly force” against someone invading your home without your permission. Think again! It is not as straightforward as it sounded in civics class or on the news. In The Law Says What? attorney Maclen Stanley gives us the real lowdown on these and a lot of other legal issues, like abortion restrictions, the powers of juries, and the odd legal status of marijuana.
Maclen Stanley has a real way with words (I would NOT want to face him in court!), and in his hands what could have been a very dry subject becomes the sort of book where I kept interrupting my reading to share fun tidbits with my longsuffering spouse. There is lots of history, going all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, where reportedly Augustus Caesar banished an actor for “giving the finger” to an audience member who booed him. There are interesting cases, such as the famous incident where a woman won $5 million from McDonald’s because she was burned when she spilled coffee in her lap and lesser known but just as interesting ones I won’t describe so as not to spoil the fun of discovery. There are odd little details, like the legal guidance that says the “c” in “Court” should be capitalized only when referring to the Supreme Court; our local District court does not merit the capital letter. I consider myself pretty well-informed for a layperson, but I learned a LOT.
If you do not consider yourself too well-informed about the law, do not worry. Stanley provides good definitions for legal terms and concepts, and he does it in a way that did not make me feel he was “talking down” to me.
I highly recommend this book to a broad cross-section of readers. As a matter of fact, the first among my own acquaintances to come to mind are attorneys. I think they will enjoy it. And they might even learn something!
July 25, 2021
You shouldn't have to go to law school to understand the legal system you're governed by, so thank god for "The Law Says What?"!
The US legal system is quirky at best, and infuriatingly nonsensical at worst. One of the most maddening aspects of it is that it's virtually incomprehensible to the average person. Becoming well educated about important aspects of the law -- like when you can use self defense -- is surprisingly difficult.
Enter Maclen Stanley's "The Law Says What?", your "crash course on some of the most bizarre, infuriating, and vitally important legal topics of today." It's a highly enjoyable, easy-to-read venture, which says more about the author's skill than it does about the topics he explores. Somehow, in less than 200 pages, the book covers six extremely broad themes in depth (the police, crime and punishment, self defense, your rights, employers and landlords, and the court system).
You'll walk away with more than just a few fun facts on what the law says - this book actually goes into the history and reasoning BEHIND the law, and attempts to explain how its more infuriating aspects may have gotten to be so.. infuriating. As the book says, rarely is are lawmakers trying to make the world even more unfair. Stanley gives us a roadmap into those lawmakers brains, showing the reader how to think like a lawyer thinks about these issues.
Importantly, the book doesn't stop there. After understanding the history of these laws, their current status, and their rationales, we then are shown how to effect change. I don't want to ruin the end of the book, but I'll say you definitely shouldn't skip the last chapter!
As I walk away from this book, I feel:
informed
empowered
a sense of levity
like this was time well spent
sad it's over
surprised that this was only 200 pages
top 10 authors I'd like to have a beer with
where's the sequel?!?!
The US legal system is quirky at best, and infuriatingly nonsensical at worst. One of the most maddening aspects of it is that it's virtually incomprehensible to the average person. Becoming well educated about important aspects of the law -- like when you can use self defense -- is surprisingly difficult.
Enter Maclen Stanley's "The Law Says What?", your "crash course on some of the most bizarre, infuriating, and vitally important legal topics of today." It's a highly enjoyable, easy-to-read venture, which says more about the author's skill than it does about the topics he explores. Somehow, in less than 200 pages, the book covers six extremely broad themes in depth (the police, crime and punishment, self defense, your rights, employers and landlords, and the court system).
You'll walk away with more than just a few fun facts on what the law says - this book actually goes into the history and reasoning BEHIND the law, and attempts to explain how its more infuriating aspects may have gotten to be so.. infuriating. As the book says, rarely is are lawmakers trying to make the world even more unfair. Stanley gives us a roadmap into those lawmakers brains, showing the reader how to think like a lawyer thinks about these issues.
Importantly, the book doesn't stop there. After understanding the history of these laws, their current status, and their rationales, we then are shown how to effect change. I don't want to ruin the end of the book, but I'll say you definitely shouldn't skip the last chapter!
As I walk away from this book, I feel:
informed
empowered
a sense of levity
like this was time well spent
sad it's over
surprised that this was only 200 pages
top 10 authors I'd like to have a beer with
where's the sequel?!?!
March 29, 2022
I don't want to be a cynic or a pessimist, but I'm sure something of what follows is going to come off that way.
Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the delegates had created. Ever the one to come up with a quick quip and memorable line (he'd love Twitter for its short and snappy format, though he might have misgivings other aspects of it), the venerable Founding Father said "A republic, if you can keep it."
While the Republic has been tested many times since that day, surviving riots, insurrections, a civil war, world wars, scandals, assassinations, impeachments, racism, inequality, and more, there are times when I wonder at how much we, as a people, can succeed if we don't understand our institutions and laws. To exacerbate things, our laws can seem complex and complicated.
Enter "The Law Says What? Stuff You Didn't Know About the Law (But Really Should!)" by Maclen Stanley, a short and simple guide to understanding our law. No, it's no the panacea to civics ignorance, but it is a well-written crash course on our laws and can go a long way to helping everyone understand how the law works.
Maclen says that he has two goals in writing the book: First, to introduce readers to the "interested, weird, and sometimes irritating things" that they don't know about the law, "but really should." And second, to help them learn to think like a lawyer, and for a book so thin, he makes headway towards both of those goals. Heck, I plan on making it required reading for my daughters once they're a little older. Every American should understand our laws better, especially if they're going to keep our republican experiment going for another generation.
Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the delegates had created. Ever the one to come up with a quick quip and memorable line (he'd love Twitter for its short and snappy format, though he might have misgivings other aspects of it), the venerable Founding Father said "A republic, if you can keep it."
While the Republic has been tested many times since that day, surviving riots, insurrections, a civil war, world wars, scandals, assassinations, impeachments, racism, inequality, and more, there are times when I wonder at how much we, as a people, can succeed if we don't understand our institutions and laws. To exacerbate things, our laws can seem complex and complicated.
Enter "The Law Says What? Stuff You Didn't Know About the Law (But Really Should!)" by Maclen Stanley, a short and simple guide to understanding our law. No, it's no the panacea to civics ignorance, but it is a well-written crash course on our laws and can go a long way to helping everyone understand how the law works.
Maclen says that he has two goals in writing the book: First, to introduce readers to the "interested, weird, and sometimes irritating things" that they don't know about the law, "but really should." And second, to help them learn to think like a lawyer, and for a book so thin, he makes headway towards both of those goals. Heck, I plan on making it required reading for my daughters once they're a little older. Every American should understand our laws better, especially if they're going to keep our republican experiment going for another generation.
July 28, 2021
I’m not normally someone who picks up a nonfiction book, but I am so glad I picked up this one. It reads as easily to me as a fiction book does, and some of the real life cases that the book talks about are as crazy as fiction!
I loved the narrator’s voice - it’s truly laugh-out-loud funny, which I didn’t expect to find in a book about the law. This book taught me about things I didn’t even know I was ignorant about (police don’t always need a warrant, the legal “backing” for abortion laws, and crossing county lines doesn’t mean police stop chasing you). I also learned about things that I was too scared to ask about because I don’t want to feel dumb (how pot is both legal in some states and federally illegal, and what that means, grand jury vs. “regular” jury, self-defense, etc.).
Again, I’m normally a “just-for-fun” type of reader, but this was a REALLY great book to be both just-for-fun and actually educational!
I loved the narrator’s voice - it’s truly laugh-out-loud funny, which I didn’t expect to find in a book about the law. This book taught me about things I didn’t even know I was ignorant about (police don’t always need a warrant, the legal “backing” for abortion laws, and crossing county lines doesn’t mean police stop chasing you). I also learned about things that I was too scared to ask about because I don’t want to feel dumb (how pot is both legal in some states and federally illegal, and what that means, grand jury vs. “regular” jury, self-defense, etc.).
Again, I’m normally a “just-for-fun” type of reader, but this was a REALLY great book to be both just-for-fun and actually educational!
May 28, 2022
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, it isn’t particularly long, but it is very approachable without being overly dumb down. I really enjoyed the writing style and learned a lot without feeling either overwhelmed or talked down to. I think it struck just the right tone.
November 8, 2025
High-quality writing, very informative. And you really get the sense that the author -wants- you to know and understand the law better. Highly recommend to everyone.
July 31, 2021
I really liked this book! I enjoy watching documentaries and learning about the world, so I was excited to read an educational book that still looked fun.
The cover made me think it would be a light hearted read, and that was sort of right. I didn’t expect for it to go so deep into the reasons why the law is the way it is (check out the “But...Why” sections) and I was also pleasantly surprised by the breakdowns (i.e. “CRASH COURSE” sections).
I think my favorite topic was the first one (Police Have No Duty to Protect You), and the one with the court transcripts is also a MUST read. I also loved the tidbits of facts and information littered throughout the book (everything from terminology to court name citations - could have been boring but the author makes it fun!)
Overall, this was a really accessible, surprisingly funny, easy but educational read. I read it on the beach - not my normal beach read! - and finished it in only 4 days.
Highly recommend.
The cover made me think it would be a light hearted read, and that was sort of right. I didn’t expect for it to go so deep into the reasons why the law is the way it is (check out the “But...Why” sections) and I was also pleasantly surprised by the breakdowns (i.e. “CRASH COURSE” sections).
I think my favorite topic was the first one (Police Have No Duty to Protect You), and the one with the court transcripts is also a MUST read. I also loved the tidbits of facts and information littered throughout the book (everything from terminology to court name citations - could have been boring but the author makes it fun!)
Overall, this was a really accessible, surprisingly funny, easy but educational read. I read it on the beach - not my normal beach read! - and finished it in only 4 days.
Highly recommend.
October 31, 2021
When I was offered the opportunity to read The Law Says What?: Stuff You Didn’t Know About the Law (but Really Should!) by Maclen Stanley, I was intrigued. I have always loved trivia and had an interest in law for a while when I was younger. I wasn't sure which direction or style this book would be, but decided to check it out.
It's not trivia (nor trivial), but is a thoroughly fascinating book to read. Am I now qualified to practice law or give legal advice? Absolutely not!! But I do have a better understanding of the legalities of the way some issues are settled. I had a few "A-ha" moments as some aspects were clarified into something that now makes more sense to me. Yes, I also left some chapters thinking, "That is wrong and something needs to be done!" I love books (and movies) that make me think, and "The Law Says What?" gave me that.
Much of the book is light-hearted and fun to read, but there are also very serious sections. The mixture of entertainment and information is very well done. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in current events, politics, the Constitution, the law, and more. I definitely recommend reading it for yourself.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. I received no financial compensation nor was I required to give a good review. All opinions are my own.
It's not trivia (nor trivial), but is a thoroughly fascinating book to read. Am I now qualified to practice law or give legal advice? Absolutely not!! But I do have a better understanding of the legalities of the way some issues are settled. I had a few "A-ha" moments as some aspects were clarified into something that now makes more sense to me. Yes, I also left some chapters thinking, "That is wrong and something needs to be done!" I love books (and movies) that make me think, and "The Law Says What?" gave me that.
Much of the book is light-hearted and fun to read, but there are also very serious sections. The mixture of entertainment and information is very well done. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in current events, politics, the Constitution, the law, and more. I definitely recommend reading it for yourself.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. I received no financial compensation nor was I required to give a good review. All opinions are my own.
November 7, 2021
"The Law Says What? Stuff You Didn’t Know About the Law (But Really Should!)" (2021) by Maclen Stanley is a fascinating piece of nonfiction that offers insights into various aspects of the law that affect our lives such as property rights, voting, privacy, and many others. It’s written in easy-to-read prose. I give if four stars instead of five because it has no index at the end, a glaring omission—and there’s virtually nothing about family law. Still, solidly recommended. I was given this free paperback and have voluntarily left this review.
October 8, 2021
‘Highlighting just how quirky and bizarre the law can actually be’
Los Angeles author Maclen Stanley earned his Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Harvard and his Law degree from Harvard Law School, and as a practicing lawyer, he runs a law firm that focuses on cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination – a ‘real time SVU’ as celebrated on television!
Following the witty hint of the title of this book, Maclen Spencer delivers information about the law that is at once hilariously entertaining while also being informative on a high level of concern. Shooting straight from the hip, he states his purpose in writing – ‘The purpose of this book is two fold. The first goal is simple: to introduce you to the interesting, weird, and sometimes irritating things you don’t know about the law, but really should. The topics discussed in this book touch about everyday life, whether because they involve laws that many people encounter, or because they are prevalent in national political discussions….The Police, Crime and Punishment, Self-Defense, Your Rights, Employer and Landlords, and The Court System….The second goal of this book: to show you how to think like a lawyer…It is my ultimate hope to fundamentally alter the way that you interact with the law…’
Having wholly captured our attention, Maclen proceeds to define such ‘misunderstood’ terms as plaintiff, Congress, Supreme Court, and yes, the Constitution, offering illustrations of the machinations of ‘the law’ in ways that are accessible, make sense, and provoke an emotional as well as an improved thinking format by which we are able to genuinely understand law - and its missteps – ‘articulating the law in a way that’s both enlightening and enjoyable for you to read’ as Maclen comments.
It’s possible that the first reading of this book will prove to be a hilarious ‘insight’ about the law, a genuinely entertaining (if at times embarrassingly familiar) overview of the laws of the land – on all levels. But this book is actually a fine resource for discovering facts and evidence about how we all must probe the at times deep pits of the law, and learn to have open minds as well as turning to guidance when it comes to understanding how the laws affect us and society in general. Brilliant book, this, and well worth stepping out of social media time to learn a new vantage. Very highly recommended.
Los Angeles author Maclen Stanley earned his Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Harvard and his Law degree from Harvard Law School, and as a practicing lawyer, he runs a law firm that focuses on cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination – a ‘real time SVU’ as celebrated on television!
Following the witty hint of the title of this book, Maclen Spencer delivers information about the law that is at once hilariously entertaining while also being informative on a high level of concern. Shooting straight from the hip, he states his purpose in writing – ‘The purpose of this book is two fold. The first goal is simple: to introduce you to the interesting, weird, and sometimes irritating things you don’t know about the law, but really should. The topics discussed in this book touch about everyday life, whether because they involve laws that many people encounter, or because they are prevalent in national political discussions….The Police, Crime and Punishment, Self-Defense, Your Rights, Employer and Landlords, and The Court System….The second goal of this book: to show you how to think like a lawyer…It is my ultimate hope to fundamentally alter the way that you interact with the law…’
Having wholly captured our attention, Maclen proceeds to define such ‘misunderstood’ terms as plaintiff, Congress, Supreme Court, and yes, the Constitution, offering illustrations of the machinations of ‘the law’ in ways that are accessible, make sense, and provoke an emotional as well as an improved thinking format by which we are able to genuinely understand law - and its missteps – ‘articulating the law in a way that’s both enlightening and enjoyable for you to read’ as Maclen comments.
It’s possible that the first reading of this book will prove to be a hilarious ‘insight’ about the law, a genuinely entertaining (if at times embarrassingly familiar) overview of the laws of the land – on all levels. But this book is actually a fine resource for discovering facts and evidence about how we all must probe the at times deep pits of the law, and learn to have open minds as well as turning to guidance when it comes to understanding how the laws affect us and society in general. Brilliant book, this, and well worth stepping out of social media time to learn a new vantage. Very highly recommended.
August 3, 2021
This book was surprisingly enjoyable and addictive, even for someone who usually only reads literary fiction. It is extremely well-written, packed with useful and interesting information, and the humorous tone kept me reading this wayyy past my bedtime. I found myself telling my husband fascinating tidbits from the book so often that he's now reading it for himself! Highly recommended for anyone remotely interested in the law, or for any American in general because you never know when you might need to get away with murder.
August 12, 2021
Stanley accomplishes what very few lawyers (even Harvard grads) would be able to do: sum up and present in a fun way the most important parts of the law and all that we learned in law school. This is a must read for anyone thinking about going into law, starting law school, a graduated attorney needing a refresher, or anyone who’s always been curious about the law.
August 4, 2021
compelling read for someone not familiar with the legal system. I learned some new things but this is definitely for beginners.
January 5, 2022
Good Book
Was a good read that I enjoyed even without any law experience, did get a little technical but was written well.
Was a good read that I enjoyed even without any law experience, did get a little technical but was written well.
October 19, 2024
This was fun and informative, like a law podcast but in writing! I feel like I learned a lot about the law and why it is the way it is.
October 17, 2022
The law touches our everyday lives, and Maclen Stanley is determined to help readers change the way they think about the legal system. In this book, the Harvard Law grad and practicing attorney focuses on six broad sections: policing, crime, self-defense, rights, employers and landlords, and the court system. In an entertaining and approachable tone, Stanley describes case after case, pointing out the many ways in which the law can be bizarre, quirky, and downright infuriating.
One of Stanley’s stated goals for the book is to help readers “think like a lawyer.” He accomplishes this through cases that illustrate the grey areas of the law. Each chapter has a “crash course” section that offers a succinct explanation about commonly misunderstood concepts, such as what’s actually covered in the First Amendment, eminent domain, and the mechanics of small claims courts.
No one is immune from the effects of the law, and this book is an engaging and helpful guide to understanding legal nuances. Stanley notes that the law is “inherently political,” as he sheds light on what’s really at risk with ever-present challenges to Roe v. Wade, and how the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case was not about “stand your ground.” This is a great book for all, especially news junkies and armchair pundits who want to strengthen their arguments with facts.
One of Stanley’s stated goals for the book is to help readers “think like a lawyer.” He accomplishes this through cases that illustrate the grey areas of the law. Each chapter has a “crash course” section that offers a succinct explanation about commonly misunderstood concepts, such as what’s actually covered in the First Amendment, eminent domain, and the mechanics of small claims courts.
No one is immune from the effects of the law, and this book is an engaging and helpful guide to understanding legal nuances. Stanley notes that the law is “inherently political,” as he sheds light on what’s really at risk with ever-present challenges to Roe v. Wade, and how the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case was not about “stand your ground.” This is a great book for all, especially news junkies and armchair pundits who want to strengthen their arguments with facts.
June 10, 2023
Great overview of the law in the US and the different areas of it, but not dry! Stanley does all the hard work for you.
I gained a greater respect for how well our system has matured and how well it fits what we need.
I think the law has close to the appropriate amount of flexibility and subjectivity for different cases.
Good stories, makes you think.
I gained a greater respect for how well our system has matured and how well it fits what we need.
I think the law has close to the appropriate amount of flexibility and subjectivity for different cases.
Good stories, makes you think.
July 20, 2022
Excellent analysis of many laws and how they're applied
I liked how the author presented both sides, regardless of what they believed.
Some sections made me angry, some made me laugh. It was very interesting and enjoyable. Just read it!
I liked how the author presented both sides, regardless of what they believed.
Some sections made me angry, some made me laugh. It was very interesting and enjoyable. Just read it!
September 13, 2022
I am smarter for reading this book. I learned a lot and it was written in a way non lawyers could understand. I highly recommend this book as a way to get a basic understanding of law concepts in America.
March 3, 2023
Interesting read, but joke's on the author, I actually knew 85% of the things he talked about in this book as any dutiful pre-law student would.
April 14, 2023
A must read for, anyone! All contents are easily explained and it never gets dull!
December 17, 2024
Easy read very conversational; Super interesting even if your not interested in law 5/5
August 7, 2023
So informative! I’ve learned so much because of this book!
September 27, 2021
Loved this book!
The transcript from Georgia with the Judge had me dying laughing. Then I read the transcript excerpt from the doctor my husband asked me if I was okay. Omg i loved the book very well written. The Arthur’s personality really is present. I look forward to the next one on the theranos thing.
The transcript from Georgia with the Judge had me dying laughing. Then I read the transcript excerpt from the doctor my husband asked me if I was okay. Omg i loved the book very well written. The Arthur’s personality really is present. I look forward to the next one on the theranos thing.
March 8, 2023
A great introduction into law, but for someone who has basic knowledge on certain aspects of law parts of the book maybe redundant.
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