"Interpreting Precedents" is an outstanding analytical work as well as a unique source for further analysis.

The majority of the book is devoted to separate chapters on the eleven jurisdictions studied by the group: the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States (State of New York), and the European Union. The jurisdictions can be roughly located on a continuum of approaches to determining the ratio decidendi, with fact-based holdings at one end and theoretical legal abstractions at the other. On this continuum, the approach followed in the United States be longs near the fact-based end of the spectrum, followed by the United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries, and then perhaps Germany. The remaining jurisdictions, including France and the European Court of Justice, can be plotted or grouped near the other end. The eleven chapters on separate jurisdictions are followed by insightful studies on individual topics.

Continental European reliance on precedent will increase in the coming years under the influence of at least five interrelated forces. The first force is the Europeanization of Europe. Citizens within the European Union are constantly being confronted with new, sometimes foreign legal norms and concepts. Second, the homogeneity of European courts and bars is eroding. Third, the proliferation of computers puts past decisions at the fingertips of judges and lawyers. Fourth, the ever increasing density of regulation, and the rapid changes in norms, mean more need for precedents, not less. Fifth, and most profoundly, legal realism, or some theory akin to it, is replacing positivism. This evolution reinforces the tendency to view judicial decisionmaking as something personal and individual, rather than as a component of a harmonious system of legislation. As judges become more self-conscious of their regulatory role, they will intensify their nascent, self-imposed adherence to precedent in order to reduce political disapproval, and to forestall legislative measures to restrict their ability to stray from precedent.

For decades to come, "Interpreting Precedents" will serve as a benchmark in the Europeanization of precedent, and as a sourcebook for further research. But it is much more. It is a unique collection of outstanding insights into judicial structures and legitimacy, legal theory and reasoning, and comparative law.

For further criticism and analysis see Professor Lundmark's review at 46 American Journal of Comparative Law 211 (1998).

With over 200 episodes in nearly 30 years, Last of the Summer Wine is Britain's longest-running situational comedy. Authors Morris Bright and Robert Ross have created a delightful (albeit poignant) look back at this enjoyable series and at the characters that have made it so memorable.

Chapters include a 28-year history of the show (how it came about, changes that occurred over the years, etc.); a behind-the-scenes look at the series, which takes us through the stages involved in getting from script to screen; a listing (together with brief quarter-page bios) of every guest star since 1973 (most of whom will be unfamiliar to North American audiences); and a complete episode guide (a brief summary of every episode from 1973 to 2000).

My favourite chapters are the three ("the Winos," "the Stronger Sex," and "the Henpecked") dedicated to those memorable main characters and the actors who have portrayed them. Ranging from one to six pages per actor, brief bios are given (mostly career summaries, really, as there isn't a lot of personal information provided); further, each actor (if still alive, obviously) discusses his or her respective character, what it's been like portraying that character over the years, and so on.

Physically, this 221-page hardcover is as lovely to look at as it is to read. Printed on heavy, glossy, high-quality paper, there are an abundance of photographs (all colour) throughout. There are lovely photos of the actors posing in full Summer Wine attire, shots of the filming of the series, and scenes from the series itself. (Unfortunately, there is only one photo of the cast out of costume--a shot taken at an awards' ceremony).

Perhaps the nicest thing about this book is the participation the authors received from everyone involved--from writer Roy Clarke and producer Alan J.W. Bell to the actors themselves--and the book is rife with their many anecdotes. The authors spent a lot of time on location with the cast and crew, and the book is very well researched. Sadly, their research for the book engulfed the period of Bill Owen's (Compo's) illness and subsequent death in July 1999 from pancreatic cancer. He was 85. Nevertheless, Owen worked right up till the very end; poignantly, "The Finest Vintage" seems as much a tribute to him as it is to the series.

In conclusion, this lovely book, dedicated to the memory of the irreplaceable Bill Owen, is a wonderful keepsake that will certainly be cherished by anyone who has enjoyed this sweet series. Highly recommended. (This review refers to the edition published in 2000. I mention this because I think there may have been an earlier edition, though I am not certain.)

This is absolutely the best overview of the American legal system out there. It uses cases (like in law school) to show how each instrumentality of the law functions. Buy this book if you want a general (yet extremely comprehensive) idea about how the law works.

Complete and and clear to understand concept as well as technology.

Philip H. Melanson is a professor of political science and a specialist in the study of political violence. This book is an authoritative expose of brazen official manipulation of the legal process used to cover-up the conspiracy to kill RFK. The numerous glaring and unanswered questions in this case, with the simplistic official solution, caused the author to research for additional unexamined evidence. He spent many years investigating the facts, interviewed dozens of witnesses, law enforcement officials and other sources, and analyzed hundreds of LAPD and FBI files released by 1991.

Philip H. Melanson provides evidence that Sirhan did not act alone, and, the official investigation authorities (LAPD, FBI) covered up evidence that suggested conspiracy (p.4). He was the first author to have access to most of the existing LAPD files on the case. He and his team found that the LAPD had altered, suppressed, and destroyed vital evidence in the case (p.6).

The investigation assumed a "lone gunman" immediately. The trial was only concerned with Sirhan's state of mind (pp.24-25). The number of shots fired, the bullets matched to the wrong gun, were all skipped over. The LAPD's conclusions, its methods and its competence were not tested in an adversarial proceeding. The tapes of Sirhan's interrogations were never released to the defense. The profound discrepancies and conflicts in the evidence were suppressed or ignored by the LAPD and were never addressed by the judicial process.

What made this case so hot that the 1997 Congressional Investigation wouldn't touch it? Will the assassination of RFK ever be reinvestigated by a Congressional Committee? We've also learned a lot since 1991 about the LAPD and the FBI: the Trial of OJ Simpson, and the Inspector General's report on the FBI. (Read "Tainting Evidence: Inside the FBI Crime Lab Scandals" by Kelly and Wearnes.)

Since Amazon did not post an editorial review, here's the description from the back of the book to help you decide if this story is for you: "The haunting story of a forbidden love betweenthe agent of the British king and the daughter of the Imperial Czar .... From a window of the Imperial train a young girl looked out. Startled blue eyes met his. He was aware of a girl soft with colour and enchantment. The warm sunlight danced on the windows, was reflected in her eyes and made a shining cloud of her chestnut-blonde hair. He feld the strangest sense of indefinable communications as in shy, suspended animation she returned his gaze, the train bringing her to him, taking her away. The fleeting seconds stretched. He could not resist smiling. And at the very last moment before she vanished, she gave him the shyest of smiles in response. It was the first time John Kirby, British secret agent, saw Grand Duchess Olga. It was the beginning of a tender love that would blossom in the summer's sun while the storm of the Russian Revolution gathered. A perilous, precious love -- all the more beautiful becuase it was never meant to be."

Robert Adams' 'Summer Nights' has for me, been a seminal work in my development as an artist. The images in this book are evocative and powerful, yet plain and quiet. The book format and the sequencing of the images lend well to Mr Adams' style and subject matter. The quiet poetry of his night and evening journeys are a great begining and understanding into Mr Adams' work and ideas.

This is one book that should have been republished many years ago!

I can't remember the year I read this book, but I remember being young and impressionable...being a self proclaimed hopeless romantic, i must say that this book was the beginning of my romantic thought...the chance that anything is possible! It's a nice feeling...So, now I sit here and I'm looking for this book that i read when I was about 9 or 10, and I'm hoping to read it again...I don't want to give anything away, but the story truly has some nice twists for a young reader--excitingly romantic (in that puppy love way) and truly a 'page-turner'...

This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read. It was a wonderful blend of adventure and fantasy. It was the first book I ever read that I sincerely enjoyed.

I've read all of Bobby Marks adventures and this is his hour of humanity. Bobby's 18 now and finds work at the local laundry service where he thinks his summer will be full of girl's and bar fights. He's hired by Sinclair, the new owner who he believes to be a great guy. Joanie returns from Europe as her family has gotten richer from invetments. Bobby goes to a party at her house and sees Sinclair with a woman who's not his wife. Bobby's summer gets harder when his father begins to grow sicker after an operation. As he's dealing with this, Joanie has him lie for her as to where she is to her parents. As Bobby goes on route with one of the other workers, he sees Sinclair with a girl and kiss her. As the girl turns, Bobby sees that it's Joanie. A week later, Joanie tells him she's pregnant. A day before, Bobby learned that his father is getting worse and the workers of the laundry keep getting hurt by faulty equiptment. Now Bobby has to decide what to do to save his friend and how to lead the local workers.
This book delt with darker elements then the previous two such as adultry and abortion in the 50's but Bobby rises to all the challenges thrown his way showing he has matured from "The Crisco Kid" to "The Summerboy."