West´s Encyclopedia of American Law

Description of publication

I doubt this comment will be news to anybody, but in the past decade or so, Americans in all walks of life have become increasingly affected by the law. Contributing factors include the extensive development and growth of federal and state legislation as well as rules and regulations that have far-reaching impact on everyday life. According to the editors of West's Encyclopedia of American Law, there has been a dramatic increase in administrative proceedings and litigation to interpret and enforce such measures. Over the years the public has made repeated demands for an effective and timely system of justice. As a result, Americans need a readily available research source to consult to gain greater knowledge and understanding of the principles, institutions, and people that through the law provide stability and structure to daily life. West's Encyclopedia of American Law (WEAL) presents in one reference set a panorama of the American legal system, which while comprehensive in scope is specific in its explanations of legal topics. This unique multi-volume work brings together diverse features and accurate text written in plain English that transcends the traditional format of legal encyclopedias and other secondary sources (translated that means it's more fun to read). WEAL provides current information on 5,000 legal topics in 12 volumes.

WEAL (which replaces The Guide to American Law) not only encompasses legal principles and concepts, but also contains landmark documents and important acts, accounts of famous trials, historical movements and events, and biographies of prominent individuals. WEAL also provides information relating to key federal regulatory agencies and departments; discussions of legal education, philosophies, and the legal profession; and legal maxims and famous quotations, all of which contribute to the highly developed and dynamic tableau of national jurisprudence. Another nice aspect of this publication is its treatment of international law concerning the rights of business, public and private institutions. In short, it's an excellent resource.

For researchers wanting to learn more, at the end of an entry, additional topics discussed in WEAL are listed to help readers fully explore a topic of interest. "In Focus" articles accompany many entries, providing additional facts, details, and arguments that help researchers gain a deeper understanding of controversial issues such as the legislative process, abortion, and capital punishment.

If are you looking for a simple yet effective way to integrate technology into your research, consider Marianne Jennings' Business: Its Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment, 4th edition, (ISBN 0-538-87094-X). It has the answer-integrated Internet coverage, designed for students to use at their option. This text is the first legal environment book to offer Internet margin notes within every chapter, right next to the relevant topic, and a professionally designed World Wide Web site called Bridging the Gap: www.thomson.com

Why just talk about the Federal Trade Commission or the International Court of Justice, when you can visit via the Internet? Why generalize about NAFTA or the Uniform Commercial Code, when you can review the primary texts on-line? The Internet offers sites for government departments, legislatures, and judiciaries; sites for states, treaties, and court opinions; and sites for businesses, organizations, and associations. If you want to surf in some neat waters, call the Academic Resource Center at (800) 423-0563.

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West´s Encyclopedia of American Law

Annual publication
ISBN 0-314-22770-9
For more information, call
Gale Research
Phone: (800) 877-4253
Fax: (800) 414-5043