Thinking Like a Lawyer: A New Introduction to Legal Reasoning

Really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a very accessible introduction to legal thought and to some of the more nuanced debates that have pervaded the subject for many years. Schauer was very thorough in his exposition of the subject as well as incredibly attentive to the lay reader, as I consider myself to be. For each topic that he approaches, he gives elucidating examples along with an astute analysis which considers multiple paradigms within their historical context. After reading this book, I feel that I have begun to develop a taste for legal reasoning and have laid a rudimentary foundation from which to acquire a deeper understanding of many of the topics that were discussed throughout the book. The reason that I was initially intrigued by this book is that I am planning to attend law school in the fall and I felt that a good primer on the subject was an appropriate starting point. Although I believe this book will not nor does it profess to directly improve your performance in law school, I feel that my reading was not in vain. From reading this book, I feel that I have developed a beginners knowledge in some of the major topics within legal thought as well as a respect for the history of many fundamental legal theories as they pertain to legal reasoning. In addition, this book has also sparked my interest in the subject as a whole and from here I will begin to read more specific treatments of the subject. If you enjoy learning about the law, philosophy and some history, then this book may be for you. If you are about to enter law school and are seeking a how to book for legal reasoning as it pertains to doing well in law school, then you should look at "Getting to Maybe."

I just finished "Thinking Like a Lawyer" and I have to say it was a good book. It is a great addition to Hart or Levi, but not a replacement. Schauer has some great insights and an easy to read writing style which makes his book accessible. I do agree with some other commenters that have raised the issue of brevity and repetition, though given the audience (non-lawyers or 1L) I was willing to forgive and read a repeated point once or twice. I thank Frank Schauer for his book and would gladly recommend it.

I chose this rating because I believe the book is one the very best and clearest books that I have read on the topic of legal reasoning. I think the book or parts of it would be ver helpful to law students in their second semester of law school.

Good Reference source; and follow on material. Depth of the material has firm potentials to cover further along studies.

I read this as a 0L and I'm glad that I did. It focuses mostly on the rationale behind court decisions and explains why decisions which seem unfair are actually in the broad scheme of things the right legal decision. It also discussed jurisdiction in terms of authority and burden of proof and the chapters on those subjects were illuminating. Some of what Schauer has to say is common sense, for example I thought much of chapter 2 was self-evident after reading a law 101 book, but I still think I learned enough to justify buying Schauer's book. My biggest complaint is that he is long-winded and repetitive at times. There's an argument for his repetitiveness which is that he wants to make totally sure that you understand a concept before moving on. Plus, in the first chapter of the book (which I thought was a total waste of time reading) he says that he will repeat himself at times because he assumes people will read this book in chunks. But despite the argument in favor of the repetitiveness, I think he could trim the book down considerably if he cut down on the myriad of examples and had a less pretentious writing style. I also remember reading about 10 pages of a concept which had minimal importance to American law and had mostly to do with British law (I think it had to do with court opinions, but it was not in the judicial opinions chapter). On the whole I'm glad I read the book and I would suggest it to other 0Ls.

Insightful overview about the nature of legal reasoning. Highly recommended for any new law student.

This is a very interesting book. If you need something to read while you are waiting, this is a good book. It's subjects are very heavy. It is well written. It is also very scary when you realize what our legal system is REALLY made up of.

Good reading

Essencial para quem quer aprender e escrever sobre precedentes

A comprehensive guide to the fundamental tenets that dictate the operation of legal systems generally: precedent, authorities, analogies. At the heart of this book, Schaur endeavours to answer the question: Is thinking like a Lawyer actually unique ? In doing so he explores key jurisprudential debates (see chapter 7 on Legal realism) and examines the tensions that are found in key legal theory, that of statutory interpretation and the idea of the common law. Admittedly the book’s emphasis is mainly on the US legal system, buts it’s dedication to the common law system means it is equally applicable to the UK’s system too.

One of the best 1L intro books.

Enseignement. Excellent petit livre, facile d'accès mais profond.

Amazing torch light which helps in dark legal system were these existing much more darker pillars on which stands the real structure of legal system