Slaying the Law School Dragon: How to Survive--And Thrive--In First-Year Law School

HOWEVER, if you've already bought your step-by-step books, but would like to get the big picture on law school, law practice and the history of law...BUY THIS BOOK. I've already done the shopping and read the books that are informative and quick. But in the back of my mind, fresh with the knowledge of how hard I'm going to work my first year, I've been wondering if I got the interest to go at this whole-heartedly (or do I just want to make money?) Call me a dork, but I loved the attention this author placed on the history of law, coming from the Common Law of England and citing cute little stories about punishing lawyers for writing too long of briefs or knights jousting to settle a case. Roth gives great attention to the extra-mile on how to go about legal research, studying for the bar and life after law school. I admit he doesn't dwell much on how to study, but rather gives a summary on each first year subject, he mentioned NOTHING on the Law Review, but suggests getting practice on writing briefs by involving yourself in Moot Court, and he has one chapter with the misleading title of "How to Study for Exams" although he pretty much talks about the Bar. And I'm not sure that you study the same for the Bar as for exams.

But at the risk of sounding uppity, I feel if you cannot appreciate the insight, advice and information that this book has to offer - then you don't have a genuine interest in law itself. I was hesistant about this book after reading everyone else's ... review - BUT AM NOW VERY GLAD THAT I BOUGHT IT. This makes me more excited about law school than any other book I read (which usually made me scared to death) And this book does offer some little tidbits and know-how of what to do when beginning law school - provided you are devoted enough to your studies to do this. This book goes beyond 'going to law school - here's how to do well and get a high paying job at a big firm and buy a yacht and a million dollar home', this book is talking about pure interest people, and devotion to your work. If you aren't willing to put forth such effort as he suggests than I question if you heart is in it. But hey, your heart doesn't have to be into Law in order to excel at it, it's just kinda nice to have happen.


Useful and Informative   July 10, 2000
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book was right on the money when it came to what I should expect from my first year of law school. If you are disciplined and willing to make the effort to succeed, then the tips that the book gives will prove very useful. If you are not willing to make the efort, then do not buy the book because you will need more than a simple book to do well in school.


This book provides very few useful tips   April 11, 1999
 21 out of 31 found this review helpful

The law school I attend suggested books to read before attending the first day of class. This wasn't one of them. I now know why.

The book provides very few (and I mean few) useful tips for first year. The tips it does provide are pretty useless. You will have enough to do in law school without attempting the strategies he suggests. I'll give you four tips if you are attending law school in the near future (for free): 1)Buy study guides geared to the text the teacher uses(emanuel's, blonde's, etc.) 2)Get into a good study group 3)Study 4)Get outlines from second years 5)Don't buy this book.


Excellent summary of what to expect in law school.   December 9, 1998
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I enjoyed the presentation of topics in the book. It includes some helpful tips on how to prepare for a rigorous course of classes.


To each, their own   June 11, 1998
 9 out of 14 found this review helpful

Before leaving for law school, I thought it was necessary to check out every "surving your first year" book on the market(By the way there are a million). After completing my first year, I have come to the conclusion that none of them give you a real picture of the first year. The suggestions offered by this book and many others may work for a discreet few but every law school experience is unique. It may be far more helpful to talk to other law students about thier first year. If you are considering law school, and feel you must buy something to calm your nerves, then this book is appropriate. However, because you are considering law school, my guess is you already know how to succeed.