Provides an in depth account of the evolution of contract law. It has aptly been described as an "epic".

Law students, lawyers and lay people alike will find this to be intriguing and thought provoking on many levels. Gilmore of course shows how contract law developed, but inquisitive people will also be intrigued at some of the other issues regarding what we think of as law, the development of law and the concept of precedent.

In addition to the interesting subject matter, the author's tale is delivered in a wonderfully humorous writing style.

Best enjoyed and fully appreciated only after law school.

PS
If you're considering tossing around allegations that Yale Law School legend Grant Gilmore's work is "incorrect", consider bolstering your credence by not remaining anonymous.

When I took Contracts as a first-year law student, I read the cases, went to class, and didn't have the faintest idea what it all meant. It seemed to be a mind-numbing mix of similar facts with different conclusions. Then I read this book and--voila--it all seemed to flow together so cohesively and clearly. And, on top of that, the book is well written, has flashes of humor, and is very short. What a great book this is for any law student.

If you are a law student or lawyer or just anyone interested in the law (from a technical perspective) this is a great history of contract. Gillmore is a very entertaining writer and I actually found myself laughing out loud. A working knowledge of Williston, Cardozo, Posner and the seminal cases in Contract law makes this book a lot more fun. You should definitely know your legal history first. Gillmore is not going to help you along.

I don't know why The Ages of American Law is regarded as a classic of American legal history. It's clearly written but tries to cover way too much ground in a very short space (111 pages of text with large print and big margins). Based on a series of lectures, The Ages of American Law strings together short observations on legal topics ranging from Lord Mansfield to the development of the Uniform Commercial Code. No subject is developed in depth: at best, the "book" is notes for a real book. One of my professors at law school used to rave about this book. It must have been because he's mentioned favorably in an endnote.

A very interesting history of American law, useful for those about to enter the legal profession or enroll in law school, or anyone wishing to learn more about the history of ideas in law.

When Lawrence M. Friedman wrote his landmark "A History of American Law," he remarked that American legal history has been a neglected field. Some progress (although not enough) has been made in the field since Friedman published his History in 1973. Part of that progress has been the publication of Grant Gilmore's little book, "The Ages of American Law," which is justly considered to be a classic. The book is based on the lectures Gilmore gave during the 150th Anniversary of Yale Law School for the Storrs Lecture Series in 1974. Although "The Ages of American Law" is an "expanded" version of the Storrs Lectures, the book is still remarkable for its concision as well as for its clarity. Gilmore does not purport to offer an authoritative history of American law in the same vein as Friedman's History. Rather, he captures the grand sweep of history and condenses it into a gem of 154 pages. It remains in print nearly twenty-five years after first publication for good reason-it is well worth reading.