Law Books

I bought these 2 weeks before finals and found them helpful specifically for the joinder and discovery rules. I do wish they would come out with a set that included both Civ Pro I and II. These were great for last minute studying.

CrunchTime helped me understand what was going on in Civil Procedue...what a relief!

This book, and in fact, this entire series serves as a very useful tool for any law student--it is an excellent test prep.

If you're struggling in a particular subject, it DOES help some--but I'd really look to the nutshell series or some other source if you're looking for an in-depth analysis.

A complete coverage of the legal world of Civil Procedure, in an easy to read and understand format. This book is a must for anyone involved in a Civil Action, attourney or client. Civil Procedure covers all aspects of a civil action including venue, the complaint, answer, motions, discovery, trial and appeals. With case referances & index both by subject and civil Procedure referance code numbers. An excellent referance.

I am a Korean, studying American Law but living in Seoul, Korea. I happened to read this book. This book was so helpful for me, since it has a capsule summary which saved me a lot of time. There are many mini-cases which explained theories as well as exceptions.

This is an utterly brilliant book that has held my attention all morning. Although the authors do not integrate the thinking in the ten books below, I am totally, deeply, impressed by their intelligence, knowledge, and good intention.

They set out to develop understanding in five areas:

1. What State needs to do
2. How international community can help
3. How timelines and interdependencies should define sequencing
4. Why one size does NOT fit all
5. Why we must accept our shared responsibility and recognize the need for both proactive intervention, and coproduction (and sharing) of wealth.

I started with the endnotes and index, which is where I begin the most intelligent books in my reading program. I immediately detected the gaps that I address with the ten annotated links, but I was also immediately won over in seeing their appreciation for the report of the High Level Threat Panel of the UN, for Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew, for the balanced score card approach (some call for a triple bottom line), for Paul Collier's focus on the bottom billion, for Paul Hawkin's et al on natural capitalism.

Within the notes, I was shocked to learn that it has been reported that the United Nations deprived Afghanistan of the first two and a half years of all donor contribution, "by agreement" with US Government and World Bank. Since one of the author's has served as Finance Minister in Afghanistan, not only do I believe this--it must never happen again.

I find in this book one of the most original, refreshing, relevant, and therefore essential reviews on the matter of the State. Although the author's do not cite McIver, the original master on the origins and functions of the state, I consider them to be the new thought leaders and essential to any discussion of how to improve the inter-relationships among the eight tribes of governance: states, militaries, law enforcement authorities, academics, businesses, media, non-governmental organizations, and civil society including labor unions and religions. They are wrong-headed in thinking that "only sovereign states...will allow human progress to continue," and that "illegitimate networks will not be conquered except through hierarchical organizations," but in no way does this diminish the extreme importance of their deep thinking on the role of the state and the need to change both our concepts of sovereignty and our rules of the road for international organizations.

A useful early idea is that of the "double compact" between the country leadership and the international community on the one hand, and with the citizens on the other. It becomes obvious very quickly that corruption in government service is the single cancer that must be removed before states can achieve legitimacy and efficacy.

The authors have many gifted turns of phrase to include "harnessing our collective energies and readjusting to emerging patterns."

The authors recognize early on that legitimacy comes from below, from citizens, and must be earned.

I am not going to summarize each chapter, but I want to point readers toward the Army War College Strategy Conference, just concluded, on "Rebalancing the Instruments of National Power." I have posted both 29 pages of notes and an 8-page draft article for the Joint Forces Quarterly. Singapore got it early and is the world's first "smart nation." They understood early on that education powers economics, economics powers security, and so on.

Today, the authors document ably, stewardship of the environment, respect for social entrepreneurship, fair trade, and innovation in applying information technology to create wealth are all coming to the fore with honest leaders.

They identify five aspects of the networked world that are of note:

1. Framework for balancing activities of diverse stakeholders
2. Rule of law at a strategic level, with freedom of action at a tactical level (not quite true in the USA where the corrupt federal Congress establishes federal CEILINGS for regulatory action).
3. Massive investment--one reads repeatedly of the glut of money available for emerging markets (and I would add, the absence of both commercial intelligence and co-investment planning with charitable foundations)
4. World is evolving according to open systems (super point, see my keytone briefing to Gnomedex 2008, "Open Everything."
5. World is finally starting to evolve past rote memorization and toward recognizing patterns (the adaptive complex system and panarchy literature covers this well).

In the middle of the book they have six themes, each developed in a manner that makes this book quite valuable for any library, personal or organizational.

1. Conflict causes polarization of identities *and* ungovernability of aid subject to black market rules.
2. Peacemaking has been geared to compromise rather than strategic planning for a long-term outcome
3. This means that state dysfunctionality is highest immediately after the peace accord.
4. Even if civil war does not break out, cost of failed politics and poor policies is immense.
5. Lack of money is not the driver for poverty, but rather corrupt politics that enrich the few at the expense of the many.
6. Dysfunctional states spawn the rise and spread of networks of criminality and wealth confiscation instead of networks of social wealth creation and sharing.

The book concludes with "A New Agenda for State Building"

1. International compacts
2. Sovereignty strategy
3. Shared rules of the game
4. Mobilization of resources (this would be better titled harmonization of resources--we need Global Range of Gifts Tables for every country down to the village hut level, online, updated by national call centers
4. New leadership styles--this is a superb overview of what it takes to migrate from industrial era pyramidal leadership to Epoch B swarm leadership (see the image I am loading above).
5. Reflexive monitoring at every step of the implementation process
6. Double compact in practice

The final two chapters focus on national programs, and in conclusion, on "Collective Power."

I put the book down feeling GREAT. This book is a seminal reference.

Now for ten books (and my reviews) that round out this one book:
The Health of Nations: Society and Law beyond the State
High Noon 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them
Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, Third Edition
The leadership of civilization building: Administrative and civilization theory, symbolic dialogue, and citizen skills for the 21st century
Global Assemblages: Technology, Politics, and Ethics as Anthropological Problems
The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits (Wharton School Publishing Paperbacks)
The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom
Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, Updated Edition
Collective Intelligence: Creating a Prosperous World at Peace

This is an important, easy-to-understand look at why rebuilding failing states should be the at the top of our country's priority list. The authors provide clear cut examples of why previous efforts to curb corruption and terrorism have failed, and offer a viable "framework" for fixing these systems.

This text contains more information than the average 1L will cover in a civil procedure course, but this text is an excellent summary on the most commonly tested areas (pleadings, discovery, federal jurisdiction, etc.)Recommended as a review and/or supplement to any text.

Mike Robbins has written a great self-examination book focusing on appreciating and being appreciated, especially from one's self. Anyone who thinks they could do better in those categories, or have a more pleasant life, should find Focus on the Good Stuff very worthwhile reading.

Great presentation on a worthwhile topic. If more of us focused on what's good around us ... people, events, society in general ... and then expressed that appreciation ... life would be so much easier. I don't remember who said it, but I love the quote: "What we think about, we bring about." Let's bring about more "good stuff" by focusing on and appreciating what we already have.

This was a delightful little book with a gentle reminder to be good to yourself. Stop being so critical of yourself and appreciate the fact that you are exactly who /what you were born to be. Appreciate Yourself !!

Buy this book, learn the methods and take action, and you will certainly bring more happiness and fulfillment to your life. I wrote pages of notes, and I use these methods everyday! Relationships are crucial for happiness and fulfillment. Learn to treat others and yourself better with "Focus on the Good Stuff."

I had the pleasure of seeing author Mike Robbins at his recent appearance at the Learning Annex in NYC. I left the event impressed by the power of his message and the manner in which he delivers it. I then read this book and felt so good about the message the author is conveying.

So many new authors and speakers have jumped on the bandwagon of the "Secret" and/or the "Law of Attraction." It is refreshing to see a new star emerging with a unique, basic, implementable message that could change the world if implemented. And, refreshing to see someone who seems so committed to walking the talk!

Recent terrific books by Deborah Norville ("Thank You Power") and Robert Emmons ("Thanks") have similarly sounded the trumpet for the importance of gratitude, the cousin to appreciation. Mike's book is equally terrific with his strong point being the specificity of his wisdom on how to express appreciation in a manner such that it penetrates the thick skins hardened by a world of negativity.

I highly recommend the book and I equally recommend that you partake in one of the author's workshops or speeches. As excellent as the book is, in person the author's message resonates even more strongly.

As always Alan and Dave give us the straight data and the words directly from the mouths of the criminals. No wringing of hankies, no Chicken Little cries from PETA and none of the condescending, hysterical hyperbole from the Left.

Gun owners now have a clearly defined identity for the proverbial "They" who would remove our rights if allowed to do so.

Bear in mind that the people portrayed in this book have taken an oath to Protect and Defend the Constitution of the US.

The Constitution, not their dogma, not their party, and not their position. Self evidently not only are the failing that oath, but they're actively ignoring the oath and are seeking to destroy our Second Amendment rights.

Tells it like it is! They can say all they want, but here are the statistics of how thes politicians act and vote.

I have faithfully followed all of the offerings presented for the daily OM, and also signed up for several of the special courses. I print out the lessons and allow those I sponsor to read over them, make notes, ask questions, or write answers for themselves. I work primarily with recovering alcoholic/addicted women, and after the initial period of abstinence and detoxification, in order to continue any measure of growth, it is imperative that each person finds new spiritual direction. Daily OM meets these needs in a special way.

I enjoyed the book so much I send it out to friends that I believe need a little inspiration in their life at that time. You can read a chapter and think about it and let it sink in. Victoria

As the writer of a daily Inspirational newsletter, I read Madisyn Taylor's Daily OM for its inspirational holistic approach to living.
It is an excellent daily read or a read as you chose book that helps develop your spiritual awareness and growth while providing support as you face life's many challenges.

As the title reads this is an inspirational and uplifting book teaching you to guide your life through conscious awareness. Mentioning healing, meditation and relaxation reminds me of the Law of Attraction (The Secret) and my favorite book on this, Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook. A great compliment to Inspirational Thoughts.

I read a couple of pages I will probably read more but I'm not captivated by it.

"The Essentials of the Reid Technique," is just that...the essentials. This book gives a down and dirty review of the techniques used to interview and interrogate crime suspects. It's easy to read and understand and is a good refresher for those who have taken the Reid course.

One of the best written books about essential elements of interviewing and interrogation, easy understood.

As a school administrator, I find the information on interviewing and interrogation helpful in getting to the bottom of issues I previously have not been able to solve. The questioning techniques and the observation of behaviors presented in this book enable me to allow my students to tell the truth and help to solve their own issues. The resolution of these issues and the breaking down of lies and cover-up behavior is the first step to helping students make better decisions. This book is an invaluable resource in that regard.

I used this for a training manual for my new hires as private investigators, it is hands down one of the best books ever written on interviewing and interrogation techniques. Even the experienced people were raving about the information in it. Can't ask for better than that!

If you cannot afford the expensive course given by Reid, or your agency is too "thrifty" to spend the money to send you, this book will give you a thorough overview. The technique is explained very well in two sections- the first part provides a synopsis of interview and interrogation essentials in some detail. Distinctions between Inerviews and Interrogations; Obtaining facts; the Interview Room; Investigator Attitude; Starting Interviews; Formulating Questions; Behavioral Analysis of Truthful and Untruthful Subjects. The second part explains the nine-step technique Reid has developed and perfected over years of use by many agencies. Written for a general reader, the writing avoids legalese and is well illustrated. Highly recommended!