Customer Reviews
Student's Essential! - By: O. Sanni, 16 Sep 2006 
Having previously attempted to study Law at University, I thought I'd never find a book which made Law accessible. That was before I got this book.
It is an easy to read, accessible, down-to-earth book which lays down the basics that all Law students need to know. If you previously thought that My above description is an oxymoron when referring to law books, you're wrong. This book is a MUST-HAVE for all students of English Law.
Tinkety-tonk and super-duper!! - By: His Honour, 12 Aug 2005 
Useful...insightful...and at times entertaining!!
And if you have read past those first three words of summary then you are probably the sort of person who will go on to study the law...and Glanville would be happy to welcome you on into the profession. He wasn't a fan of trite summaries (especiallyin law reports) & there is no doubt that this book doesn't attempt to summarise anything much. It is an introduction.
Usefulin that it ties up some of the most basic misunderstandings about the law - I mean, when do you actually sue someone (as opposed to prosecuting them)? And where do you go to do it? And how much does a barrister pay for his/her wig & gown??
Insightfulin that he clearly knows his stuff. Well you would if you were an eminent Cambridge professor.
And entertainingin it's language. Reading through the flowery prose is a bit like a day trip to Kew Gardens, but if you can get past his yesteryear academic quaintness it is well worth it. Glanville was obviously a bit like a pushy mum or a perfectionist dad shouting from the sidelines of the footie pitch - at one point he even suggests how to take notesin lectures & even offers his own version of a completely obvious shorthand; e.g. Crown Prosecution Service could be abbreviated to CPS - well duh! But then he's off into explaining Latin & French terms or the foundations of the European Community. So pick & choose the bits you think are worth reading. I missed out huge chunks but found the rest useful.
It's for the beginner so if you are about to start a law degree, a CPE, are still at college or are considering a career change then it's worth it. It has been updated but alas by another crusty Cambridge professor. I'm sure the editor thinks it's not just a super-duper old text but also a tip-top revision. Smashing! Enjoy with a buttered scone & a nice pot of earl grey. Afterall, it's better than any other title on the market by a country mile.
Turgid, wooden, overblown and tortous..but nugget-ridden - By: P. Bowles, 19 Apr 2005 
There is no doubt that the author has an immense depth of knowledge...he comes across as authoritative, but authoritarian too. His style is wooden, old-fashioned & artificial...he feels to me like he belongsin another era. The sort of person that would ask "who's gazza?".
The old saying that "The law is an ass" is exemplified by the material here...in trying to explain the anomalies / absurdities / inconsitencies of our labryinthine legal system the author serves to confuse the reader, & even himself at some points! There is a lot of "this rule ALWAYS applies...except..but then the other rule ALWAYS wins unless..." The law a minefield & this book doesnt sweep it very well!
There IS however, a lot of good unformation lodged like peanuts within a great sticky jaw-aching "Snickers" ..er.."Marathon". The latter phrase is more apt for this book. Buy it for the peanuts, its worth that much - but dont expect to enjoy the heavy coating! This is the sort of book that "The campaign for clear English" was invented for.
USEFUL WAFFLE - By: , 09 Oct 2004 
This book is a must for anyone studying Law, or with the interestin reading the basic structure of our Legal system. Although it goes through no specific genres of Law (eg: Tort/ Contract) it presumes that you are heading towards a careerin criminal Law.
The book contains valuable information needed for the first year, however do not be fooled into believing this is an easy read. The size of the book may be small, but Smith/Williams takes about ten pages to explain one point. This is useful if you cannot understand a point, but a real time-wasting bore if you grasp it within the first few pages.
Albeit its Waffley, It does contain valuable up-to-date infomation about the history of the Law/Statutes etc as well & is a must read.
BUY NOW!
Good read for the beginner! - By: , 07 Sep 2004 I have just finished reading "Learning the Law" & have found it to be a satisfactory insight into the world of English Law. It has an excellent section on mooting & mock trials, which I found to be very useful. The only down side about this book, is that the language used to explain certian parts of the law, is far from "easy to understand". Being a beginner I was somewhat baffled by the overly long sentences & believe that Williams could have used a more "user friendly" tone to set the scene as it were. However after a couple of reads im sure I'll be fine & recommend this book to any undergraduate or to anyone with an interestin Law.
