The Law Book (DK Big Ideas)

Book Details

Title	The Law Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
Author(s)	DK
Publisher	DK Adult
Year	2020
Edition	First Edition
Language	English
Pages	336
ISBN	9780241410196
Genre / Domain	Law, History, Education
Series	Big Ideas Simply Explained
Size	48.68 MB
Extension	PDF

Summary

The Law Book is a comprehensive visual guide to the history and evolution of legal systems across the world, published by DK as part of their acclaimed Big Ideas Simply Explained series. This 336-page volume tackles one of humanity's most complex subjects with remarkable clarity, making the intricacies of law and legal history accessible to a broad audience. Whether you are a student considering a legal career, a professional seeking to refresh your knowledge, or simply a curious reader interested in understanding how the rules that govern society came to be, this book offers an engaging and visually rich introduction to more than 90 of history's most significant legal milestones. The Big Ideas series has sold millions of copies worldwide, and The Law Book continues that tradition of excellence by combining authoritative content with the bold graphics that have become the series' trademark.

The book is structured chronologically across six major sections, beginning with the earliest legal codes and progressing through to the modern age. It opens with "The Beginnings of Law" covering the period from 2100 BCE to 500 CE, exploring foundational documents such as the Code of Hammurabi, the Ten Commandments, and the Twelve Tables of Rome. The narrative then moves through the Middle Ages, examining trial by ordeal, the Magna Carta, and the influence of canon law on the development of Western legal traditions. Subsequent sections cover the Age of Empire and Enlightenment, the rise of the rule of law during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the establishment of a new international order after World War II, and finally law in the modern age, addressing contemporary issues such as copyright in the digital era, same-sex marriage, and the "right to be forgotten."

What sets this book apart from traditional legal textbooks is its innovative visual approach. Complex legal concepts are explained through eye-catching infographics, step-by-step diagrams, timelines, and witty illustrations that untangle even the most knotty legal principles. Each milestone is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow format that breaks down the historical context, the key figures involved, and the lasting impact of the legal development. The book doesn't just list laws; it tells the stories behind them, explaining why certain legal precedents emerged when they did and how they continue to shape our world today. From the philosophical and moral codes of ancient civilizations to the establishment of international bodies like INTERPOL and the European Court of Justice, The Law Book provides a truly global perspective on legal history.

The target audience for The Law Book is remarkably broad, reflecting the Big Ideas series' mission to make complex subjects accessible to everyone. It is designed for adults with a general interest in law, history, or social change, as well as for students who need an overview of legal developments before pursuing more specialized study. Legal professionals will appreciate it as a quick reference and a way to see their field in historical context. The book assumes no prior knowledge of legal terminology or concepts, making it ideal for novices, while its comprehensive coverage and engaging presentation ensure that even experts will find value in revisiting familiar milestones from a fresh perspective.

Key Features

• The book covers more than 90 significant legal milestones that have shaped human civilization, from the Code of Hammurabi to modern digital rights legislation.
• Each legal development is explained through a combination of clear text, step-by-step diagrams, timelines, and witty illustrations that make complex concepts accessible.
• The chronological structure spans six major historical periods, beginning with ancient legal codes and progressing through to the 21st century.
• Key historical documents such as the Magna Carta, the US Constitution, the Napoleonic Code, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are explored in depth.
• The book examines both Western and non-Western legal traditions, including Zhou dynasty China, Confucian and Daoist legal philosophy, and Islamic law.
• International legal developments are covered extensively, including the Nuremberg trials, the Genocide Convention, and the establishment of the International Criminal Court.
• Contemporary legal issues such as copyright in the digital age, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and the "right to be forgotten" are addressed in the final section.
• The "Big Ideas" series format uses striking graphics and mind maps to break down complex legal precedents into understandable components.
• Each milestone is presented with historical context, key figures involved, and the lasting impact on society and legal systems worldwide.
• The book explores the intersection of law with religion, politics, and morality, showing how legal codes reflect the values of their times.
• Contributions from multiple expert authors including Peter Chrisp, Claire Cock-Starkey, Frederick Cowell, and others ensure authoritative coverage across diverse legal topics.
• The volume includes a comprehensive table of contents that organizes milestones by historical era, making it easy to navigate to specific periods or topics.
• Visual elements such as infographics, quotations, and timelines help readers understand the progression of legal thought across different civilizations and eras.

About the Author

DK is a British multinational publishing company founded in 1974 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company specializes in creating highly visual reference books for adults and children across a wide range of subjects including travel, history, science, cooking, and education. DK is known for its distinctive design philosophy that combines authoritative information with bold, engaging graphics, making complex topics accessible to broad audiences. The company's "Big Ideas Simply Explained" series, of which The Law Book is a part, has become one of its most successful and recognizable brands, with millions of copies sold worldwide.

The Law Book was created by a team of contributors with expertise in various aspects of law, history, and education. The consultant editor for the volume is Professor Paul Mitchell, who joined University College London as Professor of Laws in 2010, having previously taught at King's College London, Queen Mary University of London, and Oxford University. His main research interests include tort law, Roman law, and contract law, with much of his work exploring the historical development of legal systems. The contributing authors include Peter Chrisp, Claire Cock-Starkey, Frederick Cowell, Thomas Cussans, John Farndon, Philip Parker, and Marcus Weeks, each bringing specialized knowledge to different sections of the book. DK's editorial team coordinated these contributions to ensure consistency and accessibility throughout the volume.

Related Books

• The Politics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The Economics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The History Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The Business Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The Shakespeare Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The Crime Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK
• The Science Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — DK

Ads

Download (pdf, 48.68MB) Read Online (pdf)

FAQ

Q : What is the difference between The Law Book and a traditional legal textbook?

R : The Law Book is designed for general readers rather than law students or practitioners, using a visual approach with infographics, timelines, and illustrations to explain legal concepts. Traditional legal textbooks focus on detailed case law, statutes, and legal doctrine with dense text and formal legal analysis. The Law Book instead provides a broad historical overview of legal milestones, making complex ideas accessible to anyone interested in how law has developed. It is not intended to replace formal legal education but rather to serve as an engaging introduction to the subject.

Q : What historical periods does the book cover?

R : The book is organized chronologically across six major sections: The Beginnings of Law (2100 BCE–500 CE), Law in the Middle Ages (500–1470), Empire and Enlightenment (1470–1800), The Rise of the Rule of Law (1800–1945), A New International Order (1945–1980), and Law in the Modern Age (1980–present). This structure allows readers to trace the evolution of legal systems from ancient civilizations through to contemporary issues like digital copyright and same-sex marriage. Each section contains multiple milestones that illustrate key developments during that era.

Q : Does the book cover legal systems outside of Western tradition?

R : Yes, The Law Book takes a global approach to legal history, covering legal developments from multiple civilizations. In addition to Western milestones like Magna Carta and the US Constitution, the book examines Zhou dynasty China, Confucian and Daoist legal philosophy, the Arthashastra and Manusmriti from India, the Koran and Islamic law, and the Charter Oath of Japan. This broader perspective helps readers understand that legal systems have developed independently in different cultures while also influencing one another through trade, conquest, and cultural exchange.

Q : What contemporary legal issues are addressed in the book?

R : The final section on law in the modern age covers a wide range of contemporary legal issues, including copyright in the digital age (the WIPO Copyright Treaty), the "right to be forgotten" as established in the Google Spain case, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and the International Criminal Court. Other modern topics include the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, equal pay certification, and match-fixing in sports. These entries demonstrate how law continues to evolve in response to technological and social changes.

Q : Is The Law Book suitable for students considering a legal career?

R : While The Law Book is not a substitute for formal legal education, it can serve as an excellent introduction for students considering law school or a legal career. The book provides a broad historical context that helps future lawyers understand how legal systems developed and why certain principles endure. Its accessible format makes it particularly useful for younger students or those who want to explore the subject before committing to more intensive study. However, prospective law students will eventually need to engage with more detailed and technical legal materials.

Q : How does the Big Ideas Simply Explained series format work?

R : The Big Ideas series uses a consistent visual approach across all its titles, combining authoritative text with bold graphics, timelines, and illustrations. Each topic is broken down into manageable spreads that present key information in bite-sized chunks, making complex subjects easy to digest. The series has covered subjects ranging from philosophy and economics to science and history, with millions of copies sold worldwide. This format is designed to make learning enjoyable and accessible for readers at any level of prior knowledge.

Q : Who contributed to the creation of The Law Book?

R : The Law Book was created by a team of contributors with expertise in law, history, and education, coordinated by DK's editorial team. Professor Paul Mitchell, Professor of Laws at University College London, served as consultant editor. The contributing authors include Peter Chrisp, Claire Cock-Starkey, Frederick Cowell, Thomas Cussans, John Farndon, Philip Parker, and Marcus Weeks. This collaborative approach ensures authoritative coverage across the diverse range of legal topics and historical periods covered in the book.

Q : Can The Law Book be used as a reference for quick consultation?

R : Yes, the book is designed to support both cover-to-cover reading and quick reference. The table of contents organizes milestones chronologically, making it easy to locate specific periods or legal developments. Each entry is relatively self-contained, providing context and explanation without requiring the reader to have absorbed previous sections. The visual elements, including timelines and diagrams, allow for quick scanning to find relevant information. An index is also included for locating specific topics, people, or legal concepts.