I really enjoyed this book, one of several I've read about law school recently. While I have no interest in attending law school, I find reading about others' experience fascinating. While some things about law school seem to have changed in 30 years, others don't seem to have changed much based on more recent accounts that I've read. Like a Stanford MBA book I read, it 's also interesting to see how top tier is vs. other schools, though I've also read another Ivy law school in [Ivy League Briefs]. A good read, whether or not you're considering law school, it doesn't really show its age in terms of relevance. ( )

1716 One L, by Scott Turow (read 20 May 1982) This is a 1977 book about the author's first year at Harvard Law. It is very readable, but it does not accurately reflect my first year at Georgetown . I checked my diary for 1950, and found the law did not overpower me--Washington did. Politics seemed to have far more attention than law those first months. But this book does capture some of the overpowering tension of law school, though my stolid peasant attitude never drove me to pills or a psychiatrist--as the author here almost was driven. A very intense book--I only wish the professors were not disguised, though I am sure everybody at Harvard knows who each was. ( )

One L first came to prominence in 1977, shortly after Turow finished his first year at Harvard Law School (H.L.S.). One L is not a novel. It’s memoir, though he’s changed names and amalgamated some of his classmates. It covers his first year at H.L.S. The image that appears is of a group of smart but very fragile people, including Turow himself. Another theme that appears to me is a very real sense I think carried over from the 1960s of rebellion against the status quo. They want to be challenged less and nurtured more. And yet, they mostly display the intensely competitive drive they profess to despise.

(Full review at my blog) ( )

Advice if you are considering law school:

1. Don't do it.
2. Read this book.
Number one and number two are completely unrelated. ( )

At one time I wanted to attend law school, this book didn't deter me from attending... just found other plans. I loved, loved, loved this memoir of Scott Turow's time at Harvard Law. It is thoroughly interesting and entertaining to see him grow throughout that time. ( )

everybody at least has heard about the gruesome life of 1Ls. and now you can read all about it. ( )

This is an honest and compelling autobiography about a student's experiences during his first year in law school.

Turow offers some insight into the burdens and the competitive nature of legal education and offers constructive suggestions for its improvement.

But I must admit I'm scared out of my mind right now. I've heard from many people that law school is no longer like this. I hope not. But at the same time, I would assume that the basic experience has not changed much. While the Socratic method may not be employed in such a daunting manner, the competition between classmates is likely to be just as intense (if not more so) as described.

I'm glad I picked this up before I went to law school. Even though I don't think life in law school will necessarily be like this for me, it was good to be forewarned of some of the pitfalls, the likelihood of 'meeting my enemy'. Plus, after preparing for this, actual law school can only come out easier by comparison.

Good read. ( )

As someone who's never been to law school, I thought this book was just ok. Pretty interesting in an, "oh, that what it's like to go to law school" kind of way, but not that engaging. I feel like people who are interested in law or who have been to law school would love it. ( )

I read this before starting law school and it freaked me out about. Luckily, my experience so far has been nothing like what the book said. It was still a fun read. ( )