Law Books

Our children want us to keep the beach house in the family. This terrific book explains how to do it and how to avoid fights and bad feelings among the children after you are gone. We still had a lawyer draw things up, but this was an enormous help to us. We bought copies for each of the children and have recommended it to friends with vacation homes.

Good basic introduction, with good insights into the issues that need to be understood and addressed. Tends to be repetitious, and is strong on advocating LLCs (limited liability companies) as the best way forward. Would have been more useful if additional material had been presented on alternative solutions (trusts, corporations, etc.). Would also have been more helpful to have explained the different elements that should be included in LLCs (the elements are listed in an Appendix) in more detail. Bibliography and notes provide a good basis for more research.

All in all, well worth the investment -- learned a lot. Would give it an extra half star (3.5), had it been possible!

This book is a great resource for familites who want to try to keep a family second home over multiple generations. Wish we had read this before putting our family property in a trust- after reading it, we will probably be changing to an LLC holding entity instead! Heartily recommend this book, we got 2 copies and are passing it around.

My wife and I have been wrestling with how to make sure our cabin can stay in the family. This books discusses all the issues and helps you think about the way you would like to manage your cottage in your estate.

Very Informative!

This is a good little book. It is well worth the read for anybody interested in estate planning. People who have a cottage, a vacation home, a farm, a retreat or some other form of real estate that the family tends to enjoy should read this book if they want to keep that property IN THE FAMILY for generations to come. And attorneys that do estate planning work would do themselves a favor to read this book so they can provide the best legal help possible when providing their services. This book is not a form book, but it provides enough information on the topic that any competent attorney can put together the appropriate Operating Agreement templates in order to carry out what this book explains is possible.

I must say I think the author is to be commended for writing this book. Clearly it is a marketing piece for his law practice. But it is not just that - it provides provides value in a niche that has not been written about before. The book is broken into four parts:

I. Cottages at risk (1-3)
II. Choosing the right path (4-7)
III. Cottage plans in action (8-14)
IV. Creating a cottage legacy (15-16)

And the book is comprised of 16 chapters:

1. Trouble in paradise
2. Avoid the worst: A partition parable
3. Plan for the best: Cottage succession goals
4. How to plan helps save the family cottage
5. No plan? Then 600-year old law controls the cottage
6. Other animals in the property law zoo
7. Short-term solutions
8. Choose the right legal entity for your cottage
9. Welcome to the club
10. When and how to organize the Cottage LLC
11. The cottage safety valve
12. Cottage democracy
13. Scheduling and use
14. Renting the cottage
15. Minimizing the federal tax bite
16. The ultimate gift: A cottage endowment

I found the book a bit repetitive. It was not tightly written. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the problem of partitions had been stated once up front, and then the book could have moved on. Instead I kept hearing about partitions throughout the book.

In estate planning there is much written about how it is nice to put your major assets in a living trust so the courts (probate court) cannot get involved in the estate settlement process. Whenever courts have to get involved in a matter there is such a loss of control by the litigants. In the instant book, the author explains that it is nice to put your cottage, vacation home, or family retreat into a Limited Liability Company (LLC) so family squabbles down the inheritance line typically won't be mediated by the courts. The other nice thing if the Operating Agreement is drafted well is that there probably won't be family squabbles. What the author proposes is really a good idea. When the original owner of the cottage dies, the beneficiaries of the estate will take title to membership interests in an LLC, not ownership interests in real estate. As a result, partition of real estate interests is not an option in a dispute. 4 stars!

The Presidency and the Political Stream is a collection of twenty essays edited by Michael Nelson, who is a professor at Rhodes College. Each chapter explores a different aspect of the relationship between the presidency and the U.S. political system. This book is recommended to serious scholars of the U.S. presidency.

This book was required for a Ph.D. course I'm attending at the University of Alabama. Trust me I do not read these books for fun.

This book is a set of articles which are all on, you guessed it, the presidency and also the executive branch of the US government.

I'm a Poli Sci Ph.D. and I think this is dull, so I would tell everyone to only read this book if you are forced to!

This is a collection of essays on the presidency. It doesn't look like an interesting book, but many of the pieces are in fact quite interesting. The book covers many different aspects of the presidency, and one can learn a lot merely by reading this book. Although it is definitely an academic book, it is not so dry that it cannot be read by those that are not involved with academics.

Bill Buford offers an engaging narrative about violent British soccer fans, yet one does begin to suspect some exaggeration and ornamentation. Saying that these fans behave the way they do because they lack a solid home base is reductionist and not helpful at all. Many millions around the world live in conditions that leave a great deal to be desired--indeed far worse than the living conditions of a violent soccer fan--yet they don't engage in what the British call "antisocial behavior."

There is no excuse for hooliganism and bad behavior. To find "causes" for lawbreaking, be it soccer violence in Europe or drug dealing in America, is a step toward tolerating and even forgiving it.

Generations of black Americans have been raised under the impression that racism is an insurmountable problem and that they have to go outside the law to survive. This perception is so strong that Barack Obama's presidential bid was dismissed early on by some of the most seasoned political analysts as well as civil rights leaders in this country. They thought that America was simply too racist to even consider a black president. Obana was jumping the gun, they said, damaging his own chances in a distant future. When those whose words make public opinion are so out of touch with the American reality, what can one expect of a black teenager who is attending an under-funded school? Getting away from the subject? Not really. The world knows American black youth culture largely through hip-hop music and all the fashion, DVDs, games and other paraphernalia it generates. Many teenagers all around the world, in their angst and search for identity, claim victimhood and try to emulate a thug life with various degrees of conviction. The British "antisocilas" are themselves informed by such imported gangsterism. Few understand that for every gangsta or gagsta wannabe there are thousands of black Americans who go to college, fill professional echelons or start legitimate businesses.

Instead of trying to "understand" thugs, of whatever color or stripe, let's concentrate on those who really understand and avoid thug life under any guise for the boring, graceless, destructive existence it is without ever being sullied by it.

There's a lot to hope for in this book, but it fails badly. The author never comes across as even remotely credible. His writing reflects his snobbish background and beliefs. He went to college at Berkeley, then elite Cambridge, and he clearly feels that he is above the subjects of the book in every way. The jacket says he edits a literary magazine, and now he thinks he can ingratiate himself with football thugs? Please. He may be American, but he's apparently been infected with that classic British class thing. His book is full of comments on how stupid and ugly the people he is interviewing are. He talks at length about how he tries to get the "animals" at various pitches to let him interview them. Too bad he was posing the whole time, trying to be "cool" but really manipulating his subjects for his own use. In fact one gets the impression that this was Mr. Well Educated/Snobby Lit Magazine Guy doing his bit of slumming. I'm sure he's drunk many a glass of wine, chuckling with his tweed-wearing Eton buddies, self congratulating on how he survived many nights in those nasty pubs, coaches and terraces with the "idiotic" football supporters. Minor but telling points: he can't even get Bill Gardner's name right (West Ham's top man with the ICF) and lastly, that cover photo is not even of a football thug, it's called "The Smoker" by some random photographer. Can't get Bill Gardner's name right and he's doing a book on football violence? Good Lord, there's an entire book about Bill: "Good Afternoon Gentlemen, The Name's Bill Gardner." There's his name, pal. And we're supposed to believe your book is the real deal? Sorry man--go back to where you belong--editing James Joyce or something--and don't pretend to be what are not. This book is from a poser and not worth a purchase.

This is a great book, albiet the first one I have read on football hooligans. This is not limited to one single firm though, as some of the many ICF books are. Buford runs with the Man. United firm, has a run in with the National Front, and has the grand finale with English hooligans during the world cup. This is really an eye opener into a section of history and life I never knew about in England, and Buford does an excellent job sharing it. There were a few points where he starts to ramble about unrelated crowd violence elsewhere, but these nuances are insignificant by the close of the book. At just over 300 pages I finished this book in 5 days, it's an engrossing book, funny, disturbing, and horrific at times. An excellent read. I would thouroughly reccomend this to any football fan, fan of Green Street Hooligans, or just about anyone else.

Fantastic book and a page turner. Opened my eyes to hooliganism in the sport of football. This was probably common knowledge to most people outside the U.S. Great story from an unbiased source.

This is a fantastic book, and what's more, it has served as a model and inspiration for the many (many, many) football hooligan books that followed.

I won't really comment on the absolute cliched tripe served up by one reviewer who gave this book one star, but I would point out that he might want to take some time out from an all-knowing banality spouting, error decrying, schedule, and consult a calendar.

Among The Thugs - 1993. Most of the others? 1999 and later, including the 2005(!) Gardner tome. This book, almost alone, spawned a veritable minor industry of Football Hooligan memoirs and reportage. Don't believe me? Head over to amazon.co.uk and check it out all the related items with this book over there.

By the way, I think it was sort of the point of the experiment that an editor of a (very popular in the right circles) literary magazine like Granta went and did what he did, and reported what he saw. And in the Granta tradition, he expounds a bit on What It All Means. That gets a little dull at times, but by no means lessens the overall interest of the book.

Among the Thugs is not meant to be a piece of documentary journalism, oral history, or a PhD thesis. It's a subjective and personal account, and the author makes no bones about that. The author did, objectively, get beaten to a pulp by Italian cops, so there's some credibility right there.

With escalating competition from every angle; an extremely volatile marketplace; and mounting scrutiny that is being placed on businesses, their leaders are seeking new ways to continue to do business not only legally, but ethically, personably, economically. Goldman and Sigismond have provided a road map to threading on the legal mines without being blown away. For non-lawyers, like me, there is no doubt that this work will provoke a lot of interest and challenges to business leaders who find themselves dealing with a lot of conflicting issues today; and where legal and ethical "maybes" - the gray lines, are more prevalent than before. It appears that through the numerous cases, Goldman and Sigismind sensed a need to show non-lawyers how to navigate through the legal landmines safely. [Nwankama Nwankama]

Lot of book is common knowledge. Chapters too long. Examples at end of chapters aren't very creative. Definitely a starter/intro level book.

From what I can tell this book does a great job compressing business law into very concise chapters. I for one don't like long drawn out chapters about the same subject matter. I lose interest after the first few hours of reading any text book. The chapters move quick enough to really make me feel interested in the subject. I use this book for a intro into business law and think is does a pretty decent job aiding my education.

we had some shipping problems with this book, but it got to me in one piece and in proper time.

If you're buying this book for yourself, spare yourself the headache. It is certainly not of any academic value, and considering what I've read so far, it does even appear to be a business law book. The book chronicles very simple and basic legal matters, and presents these topics in such a way, someone interested in a thorough discussion of them would likely become upset.

As I said before, unless you have a very basic interest in law, ignore this book as much as you can. Also, because the book is not state-specific, there's not much you can get out of the book. It presents general information, which is of no use to those who want to learn specifics.

I've given it two stars just because it would probably be good for a beginner.

I read this for an IP survey course in law school. The cases were well edited and the comments were relevant. The authors don't hide the ball. This is one of the few textbooks that I will probably not sell.

Bow down to this man's UCC 2-207 chapter for it helped me score the highest grade on my Contracts exam. His flow charts, his hypos, and his answers make this book one of the Greats in the E&E series. Look out Professor Glannon ;)

My contract class may have been a little unusual because we spent so much time on the UCC, but there was so little UCC in this book, I didn't find it very useful at all. My professor also spent a fair amount of time on the Restatement Second of Contracts, which is also covered only minimally in this book. I'm sure if your class is very common law and case driven, this book would be fine, but if you spent any significant time on the UCC of RS(2d), this may not be the book for you.

Some students prefer the classic hornbooks while others opt for Emanual. However, more and more students are leaning toward Examples and Explanations. It might be just what you're looking for.

I had a great experience with the Civil Procedure Examples and Explanations, and was expecting a similar experience with Contracts. Unfortunately, this book was not nearly as easy to understand. If I have a question in Contracts, I cannot refer to this book as I could in Civil Procedure.

This has a different feel from Glannon's CivPro book in this series. This book has A LOT more substance. But I'm loving it. Adding an 800 page supplement to your textbook reading can be tough, but if you can manage it, I've found it well worth it.

I purchased both the original meditation cd and this one and have been alternating listening to them every other night. They are both very soothing and I almost always fall asleep before they end. I feel that I am sleeping better - fewer middle of the night wakings - and my dreams have become quite vivid.

Although the words spoken in version II are nearly identical to those spoken in version I there is one subtle yet important difference. Those spoken in version I are in the first person (I am...) and those in version II are spoken in the second person (You are...). This allows the subconscious to be reprogrammed from two different perspectives.

Both are excellent recordings. I alternate between the two nightly.

Since I read Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook and learned about the value of relaxation, meditation and creative visualization, I have been practicing them and these principles must be used to attract the life you want. So I decided to get a strictly meditation cd that is just wonderful in doing all the above but also reducing the stress and helping me sleep.

this is great. i like being able to loop whichever part of the meditation i'd like to use.

again for those wanting to know what the words being said are, it is U.S. Anderson's words. It goes like this:

"I know that I am pure spirit, that I always have been, and that I always will be. There is inside me a place of confidence and quietness and security where all things are known and understood. This is the Universal Mind, God, of which I am a part and which responds to me as I ask of it. This universal mind knows the answer to all of my problems, and even now the answers are speeding their way to me. I needn't struggle for them; I needn't worry or strive for them. When the time comes, the answers will be there. I give my problems to the great mind of God; I let go of them, confident that the correct answers will return to me when they are needed. Through the great law of attraction, everything in life that I need for my work and fulfillment will come to me. It is not necessary that I strain about this, only believe. For in the strength of my belief, my faith will make it so. I see the hand of divine intelligence all about me, in the flower, the tree, the brook, the meadow. I know that the intelligence that created all these things is in me and around me and that I can call upon it for my slightest need. I know that my body is a manifestation of pure spirit and that spirit is perfect; therefore my body is perfect also. I enjoy life, for each day brings a constant demonstration of the power and wonder of the universe and myself. I am confident. I am serene. I am sure. No matter what obstacle or undesirable circumstance crosses my path, I refuse to accept it, for it is nothing but illusion. There can be no obstacle or undesirable circumstance to the mind of God, which is in me, and around me, and serves me now."

Most people could benefit from this program. Keeping positive and focusing on the good can be challenging. A fantastic investment for those who desire better outcomes for themselves!

This book was a great tool for inserting ethics into a business course at University. Excellent, up to date case studies that we can identify with. Two thumbs up!

This book was just what I needed. It helped me to pass the course I was taking and I received an A+. The book was a bit boring at times but all in all it had a lot of useful and great information!

good read and one all can benefit by. a book to keep handy as you will read it again & again.

This small book is sooo powerful it is unbelievable! I had so many aha moments that it shocked me. Would recommend this book to everyone at every age.

I picked this book up after leafing through it a bit, and what I found intrigued me to buy it. It's an interesting journey through life and growth, offering insight along the way. "The Laws of Spirit" can be read quickly, but should be savored for its rich content. Our life is always open to transformation, and only we have the power to fully direct that transformation. All life is a journey, and this books helps lay it out in simple terms to achieve balance in life. Elaine Williams

I came across this little book completely by accident (fate?) in a bookcase/library of about 800 books while renting a house for a few weeks scouting locations for my company. I was at a very low point in my life and this book taught me a new way of looking at almost every detail. This particular Dan Millman book shows you how we make life so much more difficult than it has to be. I have purchased and given away almost 40 copies of this book to friends, family, and sometimes to people I have just met or barely know that seem lost or overwhelmed with life. Suggestion: Find a spot that is special to you to sit back and absorb this book...it's an easy "short read" and I hope it speaks to you as it has to me and many others.

This book is short and to the point. The problem is that once you have the tools in this book, can you apply them. That seems to be my downfall. Another good guide book out there by my favorite author.

After reading Linked, and Freakonomics, this is helping me chase down yet more ideas about how the underlying networks on which society functions work. Or don't work.

thought provoking useful book with wide application. i am very interested in social media & how to use vehicles such as blogs & wikis.

also, very insightful and counterintuitive info about group processes, decision-making ect

written in a simple clear way

In the 1960's, legal scholars discovered what the rest of us always knew: that pure legal scholarship is really, really boring. Law and economics demonstrated that a multidisciplinary approach could breath fresh life into the corpse of law. Then, suddenly, all the rock star law professors were interdisciplinarians. And along with this devaluation of pure legal thought came a general loss of intellectual rigor. By the 1990's, celebrity law professors were becoming like journalists with really good grades, each writing outside of his or her area of competence with an astonishing self-confidence. Richard Posner, who was on relatively solid ground in economics, crowned himself an expert on military intelligence. Lawrence Lessig wrote a whole series of books without any thesis or logical argument. And this new breed of scholar seemed to be in a race to publish as much as possible as quickly as possible, without regard for quality.

I have always thought that Cass Sunstein epitomizes the worst of this trend. He seems to rush a book into print every six months, and with each new work drifts further and further away from "law." But after hearing him on Russ Roberts' fantastic EconTalk podcast, I was genuinely dying to read this book. The topics chosen are all fascinating, and no one has really treated them all under one roof before.

The problem is that, once again, Sunstein has given short shrift to these topics. All of them, with the exception of group deliberation, has been covered better elsewhere. Where Sunstein is not stealing the limelight from people like Robin Hanson (prediction markets) he is rehashing the pop science books of people like James Surowieki (statistical group judgments).

The reason this book gets three stars instead of zero is that the material on bias in group deliberation is genuinely insightful and original. In brief: deliberative bodies make very poor decisions, due to a whole slew of biases and feedback loops. When Sunstein suggests that we reform deliberative bodies, generally, to incorporate anonymous voting and minority voices, he is offering something genuinely useful. (Interestingly, at one point in the podcast mentioned above, Sunstein all but admits that this was initiated as a book about deliberation and that the project was changed to incorporate the other topics in media res. This explains a lot.) Read it for the bits on deliberation, but be prepared to be bored and underwhelmed by large portions.

There's a lot of overlap between James Surowiecki's The Wisdom of Crowds and Infotopia, but Infotopia is a good deal more balanced and careful to avoid exaggeration. This makes Infotopia less exciting but more likely to convince a thoughtful reader. It devotes a good deal of attention to conditions which make groups less wise than individuals as well as conditions where groups outperform the best individuals.
Infotopia is directed at people who know little about this subject. I found hardly any new insights in it, and few ideas that I disagreed with. Some of its comments will seem too obvious to be worth mentioning to anyone who uses the web much. It's slightly better than Wisdom of Crowds, but if you've already read Wisdom of Crowds you'll get little out of Infotopia.

I originally bought this book as a birthday present for my brother, a philosopher, and then immediately stole it from him. (I gave it back after I bought my own copy.) The book paints a frightening picture of how group processes can lead us very, very astray. In many ways, it reads as a sequel to his book on Punitive Damages, which documents frightening trends for experimental jury pools to assign harsher damages than the individual jurors planned to assign in pre-deliberation surveys.

I quickly added the chapters on group deliberation failures to the syllabus for my class on psychology and economics. My only trepidation was that I am also assigning sections of Punitive Damages and Laws of Fear, so there's now an entire unit on Cass Sunstein's work. But he does an excellent job of exploring in readable prose the societal consequences of psychological influences on choice. As such, his books offer a very accessible mirror into aspects of bounded rationality or heuristics & biases that we study in economics. I figure the marginal contribution of this book, in terms of class discussion and actual post-exam take-aways, exceed the contribution of a few more technical empirical papers.... At least, I hope that turns out to be the case!