The Law Book: From Hammurabi to the International Criminal Court, 250 Milestones in the History of Law

(Hardback)

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• Which was the last country to abolish slavery
• Which is the only amendment to the U.S. Constitution ever to be repealed
• How did King Henry II of England provide a procedural blueprint for criminal law

These are just a few of the thought-provoking questions addressed in this beautifully illustrated book. Join author Michael H. Roffer as he explores 250 of the most fundamental, far-reaching, and often-controversial cases, laws, and trials that have profoundly changed our worldfor good or bad. Offering authoritative context to ancient documents as well as todays hot-button issues, The Law Book presents a comprehensive look at the rules by which we live our lives. It covers such diverse topics as the Code of Hammurabi, the Ten Commandments, the Trial of Socrates, the Bill of Rights, womens suffrage, the insanity defense, and more. Roffer takes us around the globe to ancient Rome and medieval England before transporting us forward to contemporary accounts that tackle everything from civil rights, surrogacy, and assisted suicide to the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Google Books, and the fight for marriage equality.

Organized chronologically, the entries each consist of a short essay and a stunning full-color image, while the Notes and Further Reading section provides resources for more in-depth study. Justice may be blind, but this collection brings the rich history of the law to light.

Reviews

. . . mostly focused on the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Miranda warnings, the GI Bill, and the Ten Commandments, from 2550 BCE to the present. VERDICT: ...this book is a worthwhile reference for general college and adult readers with an interest in history or law without the legalese. Library Journal
. . . mostly focused on the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Miranda warnings, the GI Bill, and the Ten Commandments, from 2550 BCE to the present. VERDICT: ...this book is a worthwhile reference for general college and adult readers with an interest in history or law without the legalese. Library Journal

Author Bio

Michael H. Roffer is associate librarian for reader services and professor of legal research at New York Law School. A member of the New York Bar since 1984, he served as a law clerk for Senior Judge Roger J. Miner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Roffer's articles on antitrust, criminal procedure, and employment law have appeared in academic and professional law journals.