Learning Evidence: From the Federal Rules to the Courtroom

by Deborah Jones Merritt, Ric Simmons

This innovative text responds to critiques like the Carnegie Report by giving professors the materials they need to move beyond the case method in upperlevel courses. Instead of edited appellate opinions, this uncasebook gives students focused discussion of the rules, colorful examples based on real cases, excerpts of trial transcripts, and concise analyses. Students report reading the text enthusiastically; they arrive in class ready to deepen their knowledge through practice-based problems, simulations, policy discussions, and other advanced material. A comprehensive teacher?s manual and instructor's website provide sets of these hands on materials for every class. A student-centered website allows students to test their understanding of each chapter. Learning Evidence teaches the Federal Rules of Evidence and introduces sophisticated professional analysis to the basic Evidence course. The book also provides an excellent companion for students using other Evidence texts, as well as those enrolled in clinics or trial practice courses.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Textbooks

1035 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Andrew Yuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Objection! This book is underrated by the goodreads community. The rules are clearly explained and commonly tested problems accompany the explanations, so it is easy to learn how to do an FRE analysis .

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Evidence textbook ever.

I'm one of the nerdy few students who actually like the casebook format of law texts: I find cases interesting, I like reading the different writing styles of various judges, and I like being able to engage with and be critical of the analysis in a written opinion.

But Evidence is the type of rules-y subject that you really just want to learn as clearly, thoroughly, and efficiently as possible. And this textbook was perfectly structured and written to accomplish those objectives. The structure was organized and logical. The rules were clearly laid out on their own terms and then explained in simple, comprehensible language. The examples were perfectly chosen to illustrate the rules and explain any confusing or difficult concepts. Everything was so thorough and readable: I never minded doing reading for Evidence, the readings never took too long, and I almost felt bad that I had no questions during class because the book was so good at answering all of them.

This book is a fantastic resource and I'm almost sorry that I rented it instead of buying because I wouldn't mind having it on my shelf at home with my Bluebook, legal writing guides, and Civil Procedure supplement. Professors Merritt and Simmons should be very proud of themselves and proud of the hard work they've done to educate young lawyers in a very important subject.

[Jody Allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been inspired to write a review for a law school text book before, but this is the only book I've ever been assigned to read cover to cover for a class... and it was one of the most pleasant experiences I've had with a text book. It can belabor the point, but it breaks everything down and is very easy to grok.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lack of case law in the book can make application/understanding difficult for some rules. Additionally , how rules tend to be split up rather than taught in whole is odd at times.

However, the book is easy to read and we cover it front to back in less than 7 weeks.

[Maly Haghshenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover to cover for my summer evidence course in law school. So far, favorite and best textbook I’ve read in my academic career. Pointedly identified the rule, application, and policy implications behind each FRE topic. Easy to read with concise chapters.

[Mac (Marie) McMullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best law school text book ever

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good

[Books&Brews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very student friendly textbook. I actually enjoyed reading this material.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook is phenomenal. First of all, it's not a casebook; it's a rule book. It perfectly explains each of the rules and how to apply them. It also explains the policy considerations behind them and their purposes. There's also a "courtroom" section that applies the rules and uses examples and short excerpts/descriptions from cases. It's easy to understand and I was able to read multiple chapters in one sitting without getting bored and/or tired. I'd definitely recommend it.

PS. I'm also a little biased, because I had Professor Simmons for Evidence and I love him.

[Kersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the better textbooks. Really liked that it didn't take the casebook approach--snippets of cases were included as examples to help the reader understand, but they were literally paragraph snippets and not 10-20 pages like usual case excerpts are. Also like how it broke down the rules and highlights key/buzz words.

[Kienie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and helpful.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best textbooks I've ever had. I felt like 900 pages went by in no time.