The Modern Scholar

The American Legal Experience

By: Lawrence Friedman

Narrated by: Lawrence Friedman

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The legal system in America is the basis of freedom as we know it today. The system is based, ultimately, on the common law of England, but it has grown, developed, and changed over the years. American law has been a critical factor in American life since colonial times. It has played a role in shaping society, but society - the structure, culture, economy, and politics of the country - has decisively shaped the law. Through history, the legal system has been intimately involved with every major issue in American life: race relations, the economy, the family, crime, and issues of equality and justice. The true strength of the American legal system lies in its ability to adapt to new and difficult issues.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2004 Lawrence Friedman (P)2004 Recorded Books

sound, with portons that are extremely interesting

Some fascinating material on colonial law, some passionate and interesting observations on the laws regarding slavery and 19th century civil rights (or lack thereof). Starts to dull down in the 20th century material, when Friedman toes an absolutely middle of the road contemporary academic liberal point of view. Although he is attempting to remain neutral, there's not much doubt where he stands on the worth of the the New Deal, for instance, and his insistence that the fall in the crime rate in the late 20th century is "poorly understood," or even unfathomable (while having just discussed (with disapproval) the "rising prison rate"), will sound ludicrous to anyone but perhaps a contemporary academic seeking to keep his colleagues mollified and not ruffle any feathers. All in all, an excellent listen, however, and an interesting lens through which to view American history.

Worthwhile but slanted

An overview of the development of American law which usefully puts legal history into perspective as set against social and political history. However, Professor Friedman at times lets his liberal political ideology show through, especially in the chapter on the welfare state and federal regulation. But given his long tenure in closed-minded academia, this bias is not as severe as one might anticipate.If he could have managed to be a bit more balanced in his presentation, I would probably have rated the course a 4.

A fine survey of this topic, if too short

I'm a law professor of some three decades' experience. I only regret Professor Friedman had to fit this format and leave so much out. Reading his book "A History of American Law," one gains vastly more in detail about, for example, business law, as well as innumerable bits of American history, vividly told. This is less rigorous and works well as a starter, a sketch of broad outlines.

Decent content but unbearable lisp

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not unless they had a great tolerance for listening to a 8 hour lecture by a man with a lisp and really needed to know about the history of American law.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of the narrator?

The pace and tone of speaking was fine. The lecturer needs some sort of speech therapy. I feel for all the students that have had to sit through this mans courses.

Was The Modern Scholar worth the listening time?

Yes, the content was interesting enough.

Any additional comments?

I listened to the sample and knew the lisp would be annoying but figured that after a while, I'd come to ignore it. However, it got more and more aggravating. I have a tendency to listen to books of this nature several times to ensure that I have gained as much as I can from the course but it seems unlikely that I will be able to tolerate it. I have made it 3 hours into the lecture and dread the remaining hours.

Not really what I expected.

Thought this program would be about the development and evolution of American jurisprudence, but it was heavily focused on the rights of oppressed groups fighting for justice - women, people of color, Jews, Native Americans, slaves. The narrator is really dry and you can tell he is reading from a paper. Wouldn't recommend.