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Author: Jay M. Feinman
ASIN : 0195179579
Sales Rank : 6125
Brand : Oxford University Press
Studio : Oxford University Press, USA
Binding : Hardcover
EAN : 9780195179576
ISBN : 0195179579
Number Of Pages : 384
Publication Date : December 27, 2006
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Manufacturer : Oxford University Press, USA
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Oxford University Press, USA
| Thanks to TV cop shows, most Americans can probably recite the Miranda warnings, but do they know when the warnings do--and do not--apply? Tort reformers cite the $2.7 million in punitive damages a jury awarded a little old lady in Albuquerque when the cup of coffee she had set between her legs spilled and scalded her. These crusaders against "excessive" damage awards do not usually note that the trial judge reduced the award to $480,000, or that the coffee was 20 degrees hotter than competitors' coffee. The law is all around. People continually invoke their rights, and every year millions of Americans are involved in formal legal proceedings. Yet most people are ignorant of even the basic concepts and organizing principles of U.S. law. Into the breach comes Jay Feinman's engrossing book Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About the American Legal System. Akin to a crash course in the first year of law school, Law 101 is a clearly written, eminently readable guide to the tenets of our legal system. It is structured around basic questions such as "If a contract is unfair, can a court refuse to enforce it?" and replete with clarifying examples--real and hypothetical. In explaining battery, Feinman writes: "If someone consents to a certain bodily invasion, he does not necessarily consent to any bodily invasion, however. When Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield are in a boxing match, Holyfield has consented to Tyson punching him in the nose ... but he has not consented to Tyson biting off a piece of his ear." Much clearer. Law 101 won't instruct you on how to write your will or get divorced, but it will educate you at a more systematic level. It is also a great read. --J.R. Book DescriptionThe best-selling first edition of Law 101 provided readers with a vividly written and indispensable portrait of our nation's legal system. Now, in this revised edition, Jay M. Feinman offers an updated survey of American law, spiced with new anecdotes and cases (including Supreme Court cases through July 2005), and incorporating fresh material on topics ranging from the President's war powers, to intellectual property, standard form contracts, and eminent domain. Here is an exceptionally clear introduction to law, covering the main subjects found in the first year of law school, giving us a basic understanding of how it all works. Readers are introduced to every aspect of the legal system, from constitutional law and the litigation process to tort law, contract law, property law, and criminal law. Feinman illuminates each discussion with many intriguing, outrageous, and infamous cases, from the scalding coffee case that cost McDonald's half a million dollars, to the sensational murder trial in Victorian London that led to the legal definition of insanity, to the epochal decision in Marbury v. Madison that gave the Supreme Court the power to declare state and federal laws unconstitutional. He broadens the reader's legal vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of everything from "due process" and "equal protection" in constitutional law, to the distinction between "murder" and "manslaughter" in criminal law. Perhaps most important, we learn that though the law is voluminous and complex, it is accessible to all. Everyone who wants a better grasp of current legal issues--from students contemplating law school, to journalists covering the legislature or the courts, to fans of Court TV--will find here a wonderful source of information: a complete, clear, and colorful map of the American legal system. "An entertaining and informative introduction to the law.... For journalists, those interested in the law, and fans of television law dramas, this book should be required reading."--Library Journal
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December 16, 2007.
A very satisfied customer.
Rating: 5
I am an aspiring instructor of online education and found this book to be very informative and enlightening. I would recommend this book to anyone who has the desire to teach online.
~Jibreel
December 22, 2007.
Written for a very narrow audience.
Rating: 2
This book is written for a very narrow audience - specifically those with Master's or Doctoral degrees under their belt. The author even goes so far as to say that people with "only a bachelor's degree will not be able to make a good living but might find some work at the high school level".
There may be a degree of truth to this, but I could not believe they just came out and stated this in their intro. There are plenty of opportunities out there for people with all ranges of experience and abilities, and to throw that wet blanket on the reader right off the bat seems foolish in the extreme - especially given the catchy "Make Money Teaching" title.
I almost bought this book based on the title, the premise, and the favourable reviews it received. After reading the first few sections, and scanning the rest, I left it on the shelf with a "phhfft".
A better title would have been "How to get into online teaching for those with a post-graduate pedigree and little to no computer knowledge". Pass (on the book) and Fail (to be of value to 99% of the readers out there)
December 15, 2007.
The perfect guidebook to online teaching..
Rating: 5
It's unusual for me to find a non-fiction book that I couldn't stop reading. This was it. The book came out at an especially good time for me. I was just trying to break into teaching online, and having trouble getting my first teaching gig. This book takes you through that process, in a way that is positive while making a lot of good sense of what to do, and how to do it. Best of all, it helps you understand why to do things a certain way.
I think a lot of people are fearful or hesitant to try their hand at teaching online. All through the book there are words of encouragement and confidence-building suggestions. That's great. The sample documents in the book are a nice touch; instead of just telling readers what to do, the authors show them with examples. I was not aware all these colleges want a statement of teaching philosophy, and that helped, too.
The authors include helpful rundowns on the three main systems for online teaching. The chapter on necessary equipment and technologies helped steer me in the right direction, too.
All in all, this book is quite a gem, a bargain, and a must-have guide for anyone wanting to teach online. I have found it extremely helpful: advice from the experts.
December 08, 2007.
Excellent guide.
Rating: 4
Jim Mirabella and Danielle Babb do a good job with this book. It gives a great overview of the industry, with good insights for newcomers to the online teaching world. It provides a good process review to plan for applying and getting online teaching jobs. Insider tips help to understand the hows and whys of the online schools to better understand where to apply, when, how, and so on.
December 05, 2007.
Informative, Interesting, Easy to read, and even Entertaining at times!.
Rating: 5
This book is a complete guide to successfully beginning and continuing your professional online teaching career. As a current core faculty member at a college, and a former adjunct (12 years), I teach and develop online courses as well as teach in the classroom. The pages of the book are a reminder of the hills and valleys that had to be overcome to begin my teaching career, earn this core faculty position, as well as be offered additional adjunct teaching positions at other colleges and universities. I wish this book had been published 13 years ago! Your book has also given me some great ideas for expanding my online teaching career and increasing my income tremendously. I have recommended it to many friends and colleagues. I look forward to a sequel!
December 18, 2007.
A Wonderful Book..
Rating: 4
I used this book in my water resource and policy class during the spring semester of 07. If you've ever truly wanted to understand what one of the largest dilemmas mankind is going to have to face in the coming years, then you should read this book! The author breaks down water in our world in a very detailed manner. One can understand ancient water history, why much of the world is suffering from a water crisis, how much water affluent life styles use, and get a feel for modern water wars in our world. This book alosm makes a great reference for interesting statistics and figures.
December 12, 2007.
Water Facts, a new understanding.
Rating: 5
This book is an easy read, one you won't want to put down. The author traveled extensively while researching his topic and does an excellent job warning the rest of us of another approaching crisis.
Living in the Western world causes me to take clean water for granted. After reading, "When the Rivers Run Dry", I now realize that water is a very precious and scarce commodity in some other parts of the world and this precious commodity is running low, aquifers are drying up. This book illustrates the importance of wetlands and the far ranging impact to the populations living there, but the wetlands are being destroyed. The rivers are being dammed up and their silt rich outflows don't even make it to the ocean any more. Centuries old wells are drying out and the implications to all this will be future wars and aggressions by governments all over the world.
December 01, 2007.
Facts and prose together.
Rating: 5
This book in FUN to read. Forget that the subject is a looming catastrophe, and that the author has done beautiful step by step research, it's really fun to read. AlGore should make this his next movie.
Every kid in the world should read this in Social Studie classes along with Howard Kuenstler's The Long Emergency and then their might be hope for future generation af mankind. If we go on as we are, it's over.
December 18, 2007.
Fascinating, fully engaging and FRIGHTENING.
Rating: 5
I write this review with some fear and hesitation, because the stakes are so high to do this book justice. It's THAT important.
When the Rivers Run Dry is not just enjoyable to read. It's fascinating, fully engaging, but above all a FRIGHTENING wake-up call how governments, politicians and industry are polluting, mismanaging and squandering the water of virtually all the world's major rivers.
Fred Pearce sounds the alarm with incredible passion and intelligence, presenting an environmental issue that deserves the kind of widespread attention Al Gore has brought to the issue of climate change through his documentary film An Inconvenient Truth.
I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE, with a special request to read this if you can make a difference in the water management policy of your government or your company.
December 04, 2007.
The Global Water Crisis Spelled-out.
Rating: 5
Fred Pearce has traveled the world researching and documenting water issues for over 20 years and in this alarming book, he has spelled-out current trends of misuse of our precious water resources. Aquifers, lakes, and rivers are being drained faster than can be replenished. Worse yet, these bodies of water in many areas are being infiltrated by sewage, toxic chemicals and sea water rendering them useless for future use. Unnecessary dam construction, lake and river diversions goes on despite an abundance of historical and scientific facts demonstrating the adverse effects they cause-- displacing millions of people; flooding useable land while drying-up downstream environs and altering historic weather patterns.
Pearce finishes the book on a lighter note by relating the many sustainable alternatives to depleting aquifers, dam building, and lake diversions, although at current usage, one wonders if this will help reduce the rate of depletion and escalating environmental damage. Pearce makes it clear that we humans must immediately come up with a new world-wide ethic on water consumption and distribution before we hit the point of no return.
After reading this fine, in-depth expose' of the world water crisis, I was reminded of the potent quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin: "When the well runs dry, we shall know the value of water" (one of many variations spelling-out the same profound message).
December 14, 2007.
Essential marketing material.
Rating: 4
The permission marketing concepts are essential for all marketers. And of course no one writes a more entertaining read than Godin.
December 20, 2007.
It's not always better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Rating: 4
Seth Godin consistently churns out great business publications and "Permission Marketing" is no exception.
In a nutshell, it involves allowing your customer to feel more in control of the sales process. By asking for, and obtaining, permission to contact the customer you are increasing your conversion rate as well as gaining intelligence to deliver relevant offers to your client.
I think I read in a book called, "Life By Design," people have something called a reticular activator, which is basically a hyper sensitivity to the things they are interested in buying.
If somebody is in the early stages of buying a Plasma TV, for example, then they would be more receptive to receiving a newsletter regarding state-of-the-art plasma TVs.
It's a great read, especially in the days of ICANN SPAM rules and regulations.
December 29, 2007.
Somewhat dated, but certainly an excellent read.
Rating: 5
Having been published in 1999, the book itself is a little dated. Despite that, this is a must read for anyone in the marketing business. The notion of permission marketing, especially in the context of the internet, is tremendously powerful.
I think a few reviewers have referenced it, but I think for companies looking to adopt Seth Godin's approach, the highest hurdle is the investment necessary to lay the groundwork to build the permission model. As Godin discusses at length, the level of interactivity between the consumer and the seller is taken to a whole new level. It requires companies and markeing departments to develop relationships that ultimately leads to sales. The downside is that it can lengthen the sales cycle.
I think it would be interesting to understand how the new technologies of 2006-7 would play into this idea of permission marketing. From You Tube, to having to get by the increasing amount of Spam.... If I read the book accurately, I think the principles would probably remain the same, its the methods of delivery that have changed.
I am in marketing in a B2B technology company. Internally, we discuss how we can better engage clients, prospects and others. Some of Godin's advice has filtered into those discussions. It is clear that to engage our constituencies over the long term, is much more fruitful than some of the traditional marketing methods.
Anyhow, I could go on, but will leave it at that. I do think that it is a must read for anyone in marketing. Grantd, not everything he suggests may be applicable, but I do believe it can help anyone and any marketing group develop new practices in an effort to draw more client in.
I purchased this book from Amazon. I highly recommend.
December 30, 2007.
New to Seth.
Rating: 4
I have spent more time watching Seth's Blog than reading his books. But recently I bought this book along with purple cows.
I love every aspect of marketing and always appreciate a fresh look at the subject. I like it when people don't follow the norm...and even thought this book is not new to the market I found it refreshing and helping me define exactly what I always knew to be true.
I am about done and looking forward to reading purple cow which I understand to be an expansion of this book.
If you are in this world I would recommend it...
December 14, 2007.
If you are in business this is a MUST read!.
Rating: 5
Seth reveals what you must know if you are in business. This is an easy to read and very enlightening book. It will make a difference in the way you think and do business!
Great book!
Bernadette Dimitrov
The HoHoHo Expert
December 08, 2007.
It may be later than twilight in the desert.
Rating: 5
I heard so much about this book that I started to not buy it, thinking I knew what it said. I'm very glad I read it. I spent 30 years in the oil patch and I have to say that I think the author knows what he's talking about. He makes a very good case for Saudi Arabia's oil production being on the verge of a steep decline. For more on getting ready for very expensive oil see The Long Emergency.The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of Oil, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century
December 24, 2007.
An important analysis, but too long by half.
Rating: 4
Saudi Arabia's economic foundations are increasingly fragile despite the run-up in oil prices during the past three years, driven in part by the disastrous invasion of Iraq. Simmons' work points to a looming problem - that Saudi Arabia has vastly overstated the country's oil reserves and production capacity. He gives sound technical analysis drawn from opinions of independent oil experts.
While it is an important book, the author could have covered the same ground in about half the 464 pages that he used.
For a succinct, fictionalized account of the types of non-economic problems besetting the Saudi regime and the future stability of oil markets, you might take a look at SAUDI MATCH POINT, published recently and available online from Blacksmith Books.
December 10, 2007.
Lots of Food for Thought.
Rating: 4
Some have called Simmons a doomsayer. Others a prophet. With so many reviews of this book already posted, this one will be a bulleted list of some of Simmons' most salient points:
-The last big oil fields were found in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and most are in the middle east. This small part of the world produces most of the planet's oil. With little prospect of new oil discoveries, this is the 'twilight' phenomenon of the book's title.
-The U.S. is too dependent on foreign oil. This is not new. But even if we wanted to be self sufficient, our energy infrastructure is terribly outdated. Our average drilling rigs are 25 years old, and human drillers need 10 years of training--and we're not doing a good job of training new ones.
-Bottom line: we've used too much oil and paid too little for it during the past 50 years, while we've let our global energy infrastructure get too old. Now we all (China, Russia, Europe, and the U.S. in particular) need to work together to undo 50 years of mistakes.
That's Simmons' book in brief. It's thought provoking, although certainly many consider its arguments debatable. Despite one's position on available global oil supply (as well as global warming), in its most lucid and impassioned moments 'Twilight in the Desert' is a stirring call to action.
December 29, 2007.
Well written & excellent analysis.
Rating: 5
Simmons presents a phenomenal analysis of Saudi Arabia's oil production (both their production claims & reality). In it, he presents the history of Saudi Aramco, walking you step by step through the production analysis, injecting definitions of key terms and technology primers along the way. This book presents a skeptic's view of the Saudi claims, and presents much research to back up his skepticism. One thing to note is that he never comes out and says that the Saudis are actually lying about production, but rather, suggests (rightly so), that they are not forthcoming about the reality of their situation, almost goading them into making public their production information.
I only have two minor complaints. First is that the reader is skewed into believing that the Saudis *cannot* substantially increase their production. This may be true, but the better claim would be to show that to do so would require substantial investments. Also, he never acknowledges that if the price of oil were to skyrocket, that market forced would make it quickly fall to a more reasonable level. Simmons is a financial analyst, and anyone who believes in market theory should acknowledge this, especially in a work this comprehensive.
Overall, this book will teach you more about how oil production actually occurs than anything short of a geology textbook, and presents an insight into the whole industry that is nothing short of a tour de force.
December 24, 2007.
Twilight: Sunset or Sunrise?.
Rating: 4
Saudi Aramco will eventually end all oil and gas production, as will all the other oil companies of the world. Recoverable oil and gas will then be gone and will no longer power our economies. No one doubts that. The question is: When? Matthew R. Simmons, "Twilight in the Desert," doubts the Saudi's claimed ability of maintaining their current production levels for the next 50 years. He suggests 5-10 years is a more realistic figure based on his research into Saudi engineering data reported at Society of Petroleum Engineers meetings, which he claims is limited by the secretiveness of Saudi Aramco. He raises the specter of a sudden unexpected decline in world oil production and calls for more open reporting by the Saudis, and the petroleum industry in general, to facilitate the world's coming transition from an oil economy to whatever is next.
I found Simmons' book to be an eye-opening look into the petroleum industry, an important side of the modern world that is unfamiliar to me, and for that I recommend the book highly. It brought home the challenges that Saudi Aramco and the oil industry face and the remarkable successes they have achieved in supplying the world with a steady flow of oil. As to Simmons' criticisms of Saudi Aramco and his conclusions I am more skeptical. Readers who are ignorant of the petroleum industry will find his arguments have a "he said, they said" quality. As such, should we, the ignorant, believe the small army of Saudi Aramco engineers, who have apparently always been responsible stewards of their oil fields and have every reason to continue being so, or should we believe Simmons, the investment banker and oil industry observer, i.e. the non-engineer outsider. I don't know, but I suspect Simmons is extrapolating from the near disasters of past problems to coming greater disasters while the engineers are focused on past successes and their ideas for future successes. Whatever the truth is, for most of us only time will tell if Simmons has a valid point. In the meantime I continue to believe that profit incentives will lead to solutions to the energy problem, provided well-meaning but narrowly focused regulators don't interfere, and I will continue looking to the oil industry for investment values.
December 12, 2007.
Decent Overall Review of Law.
Rating: 5
The book basically does what it claims it's going to do. It gives you a clear and relatively simple overview of the American legal system. Furthermore, it constantly uses Supreme Court cases as a way of showing how certain laws were created and constantly changed over time as standards changed.
The writer doesn't get preachy or starts to discuss complicated theories and philosophies about law. He simply educates the reader on practical matters of our legal system. Some examples include how a typical case reaches the courtroom, the different kind of jobs attorneys and lawyers have, and how to write a legitimate will that will be recognized by law.
Overall, it's a great book for anyone that might be interested in Law School in the future or just someone that wants to be knowledgeable about the basic concepts of law.
December 06, 2006.
excellent introduction to law.
Rating: 5
For those with an interest in learning what the law is all about, this is a really great place to start. As others have mentioned, it will be an excellent choice for those who are contemplating law school or paralegal studies. The author does a great job of condensing important information on a variety of different areas within the law, and making them interesting by putting the material into context with everyday life. Since the author wants to make the point that the law is something that can be accessible and understood by all, the writing is in a user-friendly and very readable style. This book is worthwhile and enjoyable reading for anyone with even the slightest interest in American law.
December 14, 2006.
Initiating - American Law.
Rating: 5
It is an excellent book, even for those who are starting to study American Legal System
December 16, 2006.
Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About the American Legal System.
Rating: 5
This is a great introduction to the different fields of law. This uses recent cases that show now only how the legal field works, but how it has run amuck.
December 23, 2006.
Good so far.
Rating: 5
Before my first year classes started I had read most of the parts that were applicable. The reading definitely gave me some sort of foundation and framework for understanding all the information they throw at you in law school. Some of the reading is a little dry, but compared to some Marshall opinions you'll read for class, this book's a breeze.
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