Optional summer reading list for entering students

This is a list of books, recommended by the faculty, which you may find useful as you begin law school. They are not law texts, but rather materials that should make you more alert to what will be going on in your classes. You are advised to resist the temptation to try to get "ahead" by attacking more conventional texts before you get here.

Highly recommended

Kenney Hegland, Introduction to the Study and Practice of Law in a Nutshell, 2nd ed. West Publishing Co., 1995.

Jonathan Harr, A Civil Action. Random House, 1995. [Harr effectively portrays the challenges faced by a young lawyer when he sues two corporations on behalf of leukemia victims. In addition to vivid writing, Harr also provides insight into the litigation process - the costs of major lawsuits, the complex procedural strategizing, and the roles of those who advocate. Reading this book provides an excellent context for your Fall course in Civil Procedure].

Roger Fisher and William Urb, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving In. Penguin Books, 1981. [This was written for lay people, and too few lawyers read it. It teaches a simple but surprisingly difficult way of dealing with disputes rationally, justly, and effectively. In a contest with those who try to "win through intimidation" the careful follower of Fisher is far better equipped.]

William Strunk and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, 3rd ed. Allyn & Acon, 1995 (92 pages). [This is an excellent short book that efficiently describes how to write well. All good writing shares basic elements, and legal writing is no exception. If you have not recently written, or seek greater guidance on how to make your writing more effective, read this book].

Dennis J. Tonsings; 1000 Days to the Bar, Wlliam S. Hein & Co., Buffalo, NY, 2003

Ruta K. Stropus and Charlotte D. Taylor; Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School, Carolina Associated Press, Durham, North Carolina, 2001This book helps students transition from their undergraduate experience to law school learning.

Other good books

Carolyn Nygren, Starting Off Right in Law School. Carolina Academic Press, 1997 (116 pages). [Nygren, an educational consultant to law schools, uses specific legal examples and material from the first year of law school to help entering law students hit the ground running. Nygren explains court systems, how to read cases, study substantive areas, prepare course outlines, and write exams, all basics that help you succeed in law school].

M.J. Alder We Hold these Truths: Understanding the Ideas & Ideals of the Constitution. Macmillan, 1987,

Jerold Auerbach, Justice Without Law? Oxford University Press, 1984.

Donald Black, The Behavior of Law, reprinted ed. Academic Press, 1980.

Steven J. Burton, An Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning, 2nd ed. Little, Brown, 1995.

Benjamin Cardozo, The Nature of the Judicial Process, reprinted ed. WS Hein & Co., 1997.

Lief Carter, Reason in Law, 5th ed. Little, Brown, 1998. [Pretty dry, but a good introduction to American law and legal reasoning.]

Samuel Florman, The Existential Pleasures of Engineering, 2nd ed. St. Martin's Press, 1996. [Prospective patent lawyers and other students interested in technological issues in law and society would find this one enjoyable.]

Duncan Kennedy, Legal Education and the Reproduction of Hierarchy: A Polemic Against the System. Afar, 1982. From the Conference on Critical Legal Studies, 1416 Holly St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012. [A lively, ultra-radical critique from what most of us would consider the far left.]

Richard Kluger, Simple Justice: The History of Brown vs. the Board of Education & Black America’s Struggle for Equality. Random House, 1977.

Anthony Lewis, Gideon's Trumpet. Random House, 1989. [The story of the landmark right to counsel case.]

Ralph Nader and Mark Green, Verdicts on Lawyers. T.Y. Crowell, 1976.

Fred Rodell & Jerome Frank, Woe Unto You Lawyers, 2nd ed. Rothman & Co., 1987. [Critique of the profession by an angry insider.]

Helene and Marshall Shapo, Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success. Foundation Press, 1996.

Scott Turow, One L, revised ed. Farran, Straus & Giroux, 1988. [300 pgs]

Kimm Walton, Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams. Harcourt Brace Legal & Professional Publications, Inc., 1995.

Bob Woodward & Scott Armstrong, The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court. Avon Books, 1981.

Our American Government, may be purchased from Diane Publishing, 601 Upland Ave, Upland, PA 19015, 610-499-7415.

Dennis J. Tonsings; 1000 Days to the Bar, Wlliam S. Hein & Co., Buffalo, NY, 2003

Ruta K. Stropus and Charlotte D. Taylor; Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School, Carolina Associated Press, Durham, North Carolina, 2001

Some of these books may be out of print, and you may need to visit the library.