FIVE LAW BOOKS TO READ BEFORE UNIVERSITY
If you’re looking to get a head start on your studies before university, wondering which books will be most useful when studying law can feel daunting. Luckily, there is no shortage of top-rated legal texts – and even better, many are well-established and widely respected classics. In this blog post, we discuss the five must-read law books for aspiring legal professionals – each one proving essential for understanding immovable laws and getting noticed by future employers or university admission offices. Packed with insightful information from some of our most esteemed legal minds throughout history, reading these experts in their field can give those new to the subject matter a comprehensive look into how laws operate today!
Is studying law books before university important?
Absolutely! Not only can studying law books allow those interested in legal professions to get a fuller understanding of the subject matter, but it also gives them a chance to really hone their skills and knowledge before entering university. Not only that but reading up on the classics from famous legal texts can give aspiring law students an edge over others who have not read the same material. Knowing the details of a case or recognizing a key argument in court documents can prove invaluable, and often these topics are discussed in depth within legal texts. A thorough knowledge of the laws of a country – or even multiple countries – is essential to any legal professional, and reading the following five books can give you an excellent foundation for your studies.
These are the 5 Most Famous Law Books to Read Before University:
About Law – Tony Honoré
Landmarks in the Law – Lord Denning
Lord Denning, A Life – Iris Freeman
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Letters to a Law Student – Nicholas McBride
About Law – Tony Honoré
When I decided to pursue my Law career, I choose to read this book. In my personal statement for my Oxford application, I just mentioned it. It demonstrates, in my opinion, that reading a limited number of excellent books is preferable to attempting to wow people with many unfamiliar concepts.
You can probably find the most fundamental introduction to the law in the book About Law. Tony Honoré is a highly esteemed legal scholar who has succeeded in distilling his understanding into a straightforward and engrossing introduction to the law. He covers a wide range of subjects, including the function of law, how it operates (in clear terms), and an overview of the English legal system.
Even if you don't read anything else on the list, you should surely read this book first. It is a brief book that starts from the beginning, but by the end, you will know far more than you did at the beginning.
Landmarks in the Law – Lord Denning
Lord Denning's Landmarks in the Law, another basic work, offers a comprehensive overview of some of the most significant developments in English legal history. It has great value both historically and legally.
The expertise and reputation of the book's author are further reasons to suggest it. Lord Denning was undoubtedly one of the most significant judges in history. His main goal was to make the law understandable to regular people, and he excelled at it. Although you should be able to obtain his decisions, this book is a close second.
Lord Denning, A Life – Iris Freeman
This history, which refers to several of the earlier works on the list, is worthwhile for any law student looking for inspiration. Lord Denning's significance and the distinctiveness of his writings have already been briefly touched upon, so I thought I'd add a brief biography in case you were interested in learning more.
In addition to being a superb judge, Lord Denning is significant because he came from a humble background and had no prior connections to the law to get to such a lofty position. While many judges in England have come from wealthy or royal backgrounds, Lord Denning rose from humble origins to become Master of the Rolls (the second-highest judge in the land and the master of the Court of Appeal). When he attained these heights, he did not forget his history either, as seen by how he approached the law.
This book is suggested because it demonstrates that anybody may succeed as a lawyer, regardless of background.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The subject of Lee's novel, the second work of fiction, is racism and American culture in the 1930s. It's a classic in its own right, much like Bleak House. Its primary character, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer entrusted with representing a guy rejected by everyone else, which makes it particularly relevant to law students.
Finch stands for the legal values of justice and equality, and the book is a fantastic source of motivation for individuals who are unsure of the significance of law and the necessity of protecting rights. Even imaginary legal heroes remind us of the purpose of our legal studies.
Letters to a Law Student – Nicholas McBride
A basic description of the legal system is provided along with a set of "letters" to a fictional student describing what it's like to study law.
The book's primary goal is to teach you how to study efficiently, and McBride offers a variety of wise and practical suggestions, ranging from basic guidance on how much work you should be doing to more detailed instructions on how to take notes on a case.
Despite the fact that the student in this book is fictional, the letters are actually addressed to all aspiring lawyers. Therefore, it is the ideal choice for a spot on this list.
Conclusion
Every law student or lawyer has to start somewhere. To better understand the foundations of law, read one (or all) of these five famous law books. Each book offers different insights into professors’ expectations, how to think like a lawyer, and what lawyers do daily. As you embark on your journey to becoming a legal professional, keep these classics in mind – they might come in handy later on down the road.
