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Law and Literature

Third Edition
3.63 goodreads logo

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( 148 ratings, 16 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Law and Literature by Richard A. Posner explores the complex relationship between legal and literary texts, emphasising their different social functions while examining how they can illuminate each other. This extensively revised third edition incorporates discussions of new topics including constitutional issues, illegal immigration, surveillance, global warming, bioterrorism, and plagiarism. Posner analyses a wide range of literary works, from classics by Homer, Shakespeare, and Dostoevsky to contemporary fiction by authors like Tom Wolfe and Margaret Atwood, as well as the film The Matrix.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$9800

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in the intersection of legal studies and literature, scholars, students, and those fascinated by cultural and intellectual critiques.

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This third edition, extensively revised and enlarged, emphasizes essential differences between law and literature, rooted in the different social functions of legal and literary texts. It also explores new topics: cruel and unusual punishments, illegal immigration, surveillance, global warming and bioterrorism, and plagiarism.

With his usual astonishing range of interests, Richard Posner treats facets of 'law and literature' ranging from popular culture to copyright to whether reading great literature necessarily contributes to one's moral growth (and more besides). Every reader will be provoked, challenged, and illuminated by Posner's insights and arguments. -- Sanford V. Levinson, author of Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It) This complex, superbly argued book remains a remarkable achievement and is made even more useful in this new edition. Richard Posner knows how much legal thinking can profit from the study of literary traditions and classic works of fiction. He also is acutely aware of the limits on the application of literary practice to the law. The bracing manner in which he debunks the sentimental notion that literature and--worse--literary theory are law's salvation is a pleasure to read. -- Denis Dutton, Editor, Philosophy and Literature

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Hailed in its first edition as an outstanding work, as stimulating as it is intellectually distinguished (New York Times), Law and Literature has handily lived up to the Washington Post's prediction that the book would remain essential reading for many years to come.

This third edition, extensively revised and enlarged, is the only comprehensive book-length treatment of the field. It continues to emphasize the essential differences between law and literature, rooted in the different social functions of legal and literary texts. However, it also explores areas of mutual illumination and expands its range to include new topics such as the cruel and unusual punishments clause of the Constitution, illegal immigration, surveillance, global warming, bioterrorism, and plagiarism.

In this edition, literary works from classics by Homer, Shakespeare, Milton, Dostoevsky, Melville, Kafka, and Camus to contemporary fiction by Tom Wolfe, Margaret Atwood, John Grisham, and Joyce Carol Oates come under Richard Posner's scrutiny, as does the film The Matrix.

The book remains the most clear, acute account of the intersection of law and literature.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as the most comprehensive study of the connections between law and literature, Posner's work has been described as a clear and acute account of the field. James Seaton of the Weekly Standard highlights it as a significant and continually updated contribution.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674032460

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 April 2009

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Edition: 3rd New edition

Illustration: 1 table

Audience: General / adult, Adult education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 907g

Pages: 592

About the Author

Richard A. Posner is Circuit Judge, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.

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