Not a book of law but a book about how the American system of law came to be, this 1911 classic is essential reading for anyone who practices the law or is fascinated by its quirks and intricacies. In brisk, readable prose, American legal historian CHARLES WARREN (1868-1954) delves into: . the law as it was practiced in the British colonies in America prior to the Revolutionary War, from the application of Common Law to the composition of the courts to an account of the leading lawyers of the day, including a look at the legislation that regulated the legal profession in each colony . a brief exploration of the law and lawyers in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, for comparison . the growth of the American Bar from the foundation of the Supreme Court to the opening of the Civil War, including the leading cases heard by SCOTUS. Featuring numerous historical documents, from legislation to letters and newspaper accounts, this is a fascinating history of the law and lawyers in America.