A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage - Softcover

Garner, Bryan A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195142365 ISBN 13: 9780195142365

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Garner's Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage gives authoritative guidance on all the vexing questions that legal writers face, from correcting grammatical errors to framing legal issues to distinguishing between similar but distinct legal terms. With great detail and care, Garner explains what legalese is, how it can be simplified, and how far legal writers can go in simplifying it. The topics are alphabetically arranged for ease of reference: simply look up any phrase or grammatical category you're interested in, and you're likely to find the final word on the subject. Shortly after the completion of this massively expanded second edition, the late Charles Alan Wright said: "The first edition of this book has been praised around the world as both the most reliable guide to legal usage and the most fascinating to read. The second edition outdoes even its predecessor."

About this title

About the Author:

Bryan A. Garner is Adjunct Professor, Southern Methodist School of Law.

Review:

"You will use A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage again and again with confidence and delight. This is one of the best books ever written for lawyers."--ABA Appellate Practice Journal

"Garner has produced a work of learning, taste, care, and wit."--ABA Journal

"Even law libraries that already own the first edition should benefit from Garner's new edition."--Law Library Journal

"Assiduous use of the newly revised Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage will improve mediocre legal writing and enhance good documents. Libraries that serve the legal community and people who read what lawyers write should add this work to their reference collections."--RQ

"The first edition of this book has been praised around the world as both the most reliable guide to legal usage and the most fascinating to read. The second edition outdoes even its predecessor, with more depth, more illustrative quotations, and more proof of Garner's lively literary style.
He has surely established himself as the world's leading authority on the language of the law."--Charles Alan Wright

"The well-received Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage has been updated in this superior second edition....Even libraries that have the first edition should consider this new one, which is highly recommended for any law collection in public or academic libraries."--RBB/Booklist

"This dictionary sets the standard for legal usage. It is absolutely indispensable for law libraries, lawyers, and judges, and a wonderful addition to all academic and public library reference collections."--Library Journal

"An impressive enhancement of the original edition....Garner's approach to legal language makes this resource essential to law and social science collections and to all levels of readers, including lawyers."--Choice

"Keep a copy of this book where you write briefs. You will use A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage, Second Edition, again and again with confidence and delight. This is one of the best books ever written for lawyers."--The Appellate Practice Journal and Update

"This dictionary is not only useful, it is actually fun to browse in. Its entries are admirably clear and direct, and often clever. If used regularly by enough lawyers, it could put an end to legalese."--The Federal Lawyer

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0195142365
• ISBN 13: 9780195142365
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 953