American Law

A Comparative Primer

Gerrit De Geest, Charles F. Nagel Professor of International and Comparative Law, Washington University School of Law, US

This concise primer offers an introduction to U.S. law from a comparative perspective, explaining not only the main features of American law and legal culture, but also how and why it differs from that of other countries. Students beginning LLM programs in the U.S., in particular international students, will find this primer invaluable reading.

‘I love the book. I think it is a winner. It has amazing breadth and focus, a really good selection of topics, and a great connection with recent literature. This is a fabulous book and a real “primer”: it primes the reader into thinking about American law. Students, scholars and practitioners trained in a foreign legal system will find this book an extremely useful resource. It gives both an inside and an outside perspective on American law and is a great read even for those who are already familiar with it. The author does so much more than introducing the American legal system and comparing it to foreign systems: he explains why American law is different and he does so in such an interesting way that it makes the book both a deep read and a very pleasant one.’
– Giuseppe Dari-Mattiacci, Columbia Law School, US

‘This is a wonderful comparative introduction to American law, which will be of great interest to both foreign students and American lawyers alike. Its deep engagement with comparative materials helps situate our legal system in a broader perspective. De Geest synthesizes all the essentials in an easy-to-read text. Highly recommended!’
– Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago, US