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The Handy Answer Book
The Handy Law Answer Book
Combining practical legal tips with an exhaustive review of the law in the United States, this comprehensive reference answers more than 1,200 questions ranging from Where did the word tort come from? and How are state court judges selected? to Where did the first U.S. Supreme Court meet? Useful advice includes how to find a lawyer, how to file a complaint against a lawyer, how to document discrimination in the workplace, and how to handle oneself in court. Interspersed throughout are fun sidebars highlighting important cases and explanations of legal terms as well as entertaining information on bizarre and frivolous lawsuits, including one where a prisoner in Colorado sued prison officials after he injured himself during an escape attempt. With a wide range of information suitable for various knowledge bases—from junior high to junior college—this is an ideal source for anyone looking to get a better understanding of the law.
450 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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34 people want to read
About the author
David L. Hudson Jr.
41 books9 followersDavid L. Hudson Jr. is a scholar at the First Amendment Center. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues. He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitution and student rights.
He is a First Amendment contributing editor for the American Bar Association’s Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases. Hudson graduated from Duke University in 1990 and obtained a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1994. He teaches First Amendment classes at Nashville School of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School. He also teaches at Middle Tennessee State University.
He is a First Amendment contributing editor for the American Bar Association’s Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases. Hudson graduated from Duke University in 1990 and obtained a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1994. He teaches First Amendment classes at Nashville School of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School. He also teaches at Middle Tennessee State University.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 12, 2010
So you are probably thinking, what in the world is this book and why is Jenny reviewing it? Well, I agreed to review this book because it includes the history behind the birth of our Constitution and system of law. In addition, law cases of note are highlighted in each chapter, and I like reading that kind of stuff. Way back when, I had an intro to law class at Temple U. (where I obtained my Masters in Pinochle) and the law has always interested me. So what exactly does this book contain? Lets get to it.
The book has nine chapters which cover topics that people are most likely to encounter during their life time:
Constitutional law
Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment
Court System
Lawyers and Law Suits
Criminal Procedures
Credit and Bankruptcy
Employment
Family Law
Personal Injury
The chapters are presented in a question and answer format which is easy and simple to read and understand. This is a good thing, because when it comes to the law, I think the eyes of most people tend to glaze over. The writing is also done in an easy to understand language. It is not legalese, which again can be discouraging to most people, except lawyers.
The first couple of chapters deal with the birth of our Constitution and legal system, so there is more history here than in later chapters. These were the most interesting to me, but that is because of my interest in history. Due to the current economic climate, some may find the latter chapters more interesting, because it can be tough talking to someone about bankruptcy or family matters. I think these chapters provide a good background for research when looking for a lawyer for a particular problem. If you have medical issues you consult the Internet first before going to your physician, don't you? Well if you have some legal questions, you can check this book first, before seeking a lawyer. Although it should not replace the services or expertise of a lawyer.
This book is easy reading and is something you can pick up and down at any time. People who enjoy TV programs such as Law and Order, or may be considering a career in law, would probably benefit from this book. This book also contains a full copy of the Constitution in the back. This is for all you Americans who don't know what the electoral college is. My opinion may be knit-picky, but I think as an American, you should know the basic rules of the land you live in.
If you want to learn more about legal system and it's history, check this book out. As final food for thought, I leave you with a quote, albeit lengthy, from Billings Learned Hand. I had never heard of him before, but he is considered to be of the best judges in history. And he never served on the Supreme Court.
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it. While it lies there it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it. And what is this liberty which must lie in the hearts of men and women? It is not the ruthless, the unbridled will; it is not freedom to do as one likes. That is the denial of liberty, and leads straight to its overthrow.
A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few; as we have learned to our sorrow. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the mind of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which weighs interests alongside its own without bias; the spirit of liberty remembers that not even a sparrow falls to earth unheeded; the spirit of liberty is the spirit of Him who, near two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned but never quite forgotten; that there may be a kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest." (pg. 107)
My sentiments exactly!
The book has nine chapters which cover topics that people are most likely to encounter during their life time:
Constitutional law
Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment
Court System
Lawyers and Law Suits
Criminal Procedures
Credit and Bankruptcy
Employment
Family Law
Personal Injury
The chapters are presented in a question and answer format which is easy and simple to read and understand. This is a good thing, because when it comes to the law, I think the eyes of most people tend to glaze over. The writing is also done in an easy to understand language. It is not legalese, which again can be discouraging to most people, except lawyers.
The first couple of chapters deal with the birth of our Constitution and legal system, so there is more history here than in later chapters. These were the most interesting to me, but that is because of my interest in history. Due to the current economic climate, some may find the latter chapters more interesting, because it can be tough talking to someone about bankruptcy or family matters. I think these chapters provide a good background for research when looking for a lawyer for a particular problem. If you have medical issues you consult the Internet first before going to your physician, don't you? Well if you have some legal questions, you can check this book first, before seeking a lawyer. Although it should not replace the services or expertise of a lawyer.
This book is easy reading and is something you can pick up and down at any time. People who enjoy TV programs such as Law and Order, or may be considering a career in law, would probably benefit from this book. This book also contains a full copy of the Constitution in the back. This is for all you Americans who don't know what the electoral college is. My opinion may be knit-picky, but I think as an American, you should know the basic rules of the land you live in.
If you want to learn more about legal system and it's history, check this book out. As final food for thought, I leave you with a quote, albeit lengthy, from Billings Learned Hand. I had never heard of him before, but he is considered to be of the best judges in history. And he never served on the Supreme Court.
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it. While it lies there it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it. And what is this liberty which must lie in the hearts of men and women? It is not the ruthless, the unbridled will; it is not freedom to do as one likes. That is the denial of liberty, and leads straight to its overthrow.
A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few; as we have learned to our sorrow. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the mind of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which weighs interests alongside its own without bias; the spirit of liberty remembers that not even a sparrow falls to earth unheeded; the spirit of liberty is the spirit of Him who, near two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned but never quite forgotten; that there may be a kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest." (pg. 107)
My sentiments exactly!
May 12, 2012
One of more than a dozen books in the Visible Ink Press “Handy” series, The Handy Law Answer Book by David L. Hudson Jr. surveys legal history in the United States and summarizes six prominent practice areas of the law: constitutional, criminal, bankruptcy, employment, family, and personal injury. The book provides a practical overview of these areas, including leading principles, seminal court rulings, and numerous “LegalSpeak” sidebars with specific examples and helpful explanations. Also useful are the glossary of more than 150 terms, the extensive index, and three appendices explaining how to cite cases and statutes, the complete text of the U.S. Constitution, and ten pages of online resources. The author is well-qualified to address the subject and follows the question-and-answer format of the “Handy” series.
The book’s two principle shortcomings are those you might expect from the enormity of the undertaking. The book claims to be an exhaustive overview of U.S. law without touching on areas such as property, immigration, business entities, or intellectual property. Professor Hudson simplifies the issues, but sometimes struggles to be both legally precise and intelligible to laypersons. Consider this sentence on page 21: “It is essential to just construction that many words which import something excessive should be understood in a more mitigated sense—in the sense which common usage justifies.” This sentence may be understandable to lawyers, but would surely puzzle the average person. The section on “sequestered juries” never defines “sequester,” and the glossary also omits the term. Additional editing could improve text readability.
Overall, The Handy Law Answer Book does a nice job of introducing readers to the rules that govern our society and the practice of law. It is probably most useful as a general reference tool for those with a strong interest in history, government, politics, or legal studies.
Laurie A. Gray
Reprinted from the Christian Library Journal (Vol. XV, No. 1, February 2011); used with permission.
The book’s two principle shortcomings are those you might expect from the enormity of the undertaking. The book claims to be an exhaustive overview of U.S. law without touching on areas such as property, immigration, business entities, or intellectual property. Professor Hudson simplifies the issues, but sometimes struggles to be both legally precise and intelligible to laypersons. Consider this sentence on page 21: “It is essential to just construction that many words which import something excessive should be understood in a more mitigated sense—in the sense which common usage justifies.” This sentence may be understandable to lawyers, but would surely puzzle the average person. The section on “sequestered juries” never defines “sequester,” and the glossary also omits the term. Additional editing could improve text readability.
Overall, The Handy Law Answer Book does a nice job of introducing readers to the rules that govern our society and the practice of law. It is probably most useful as a general reference tool for those with a strong interest in history, government, politics, or legal studies.
Laurie A. Gray
Reprinted from the Christian Library Journal (Vol. XV, No. 1, February 2011); used with permission.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews