One L

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Scott Turow's journal of his first year at law school, originally published in 1977, has become a guide for prospective law students. It vividly captures the ideas and challenges of legal education, highlighting the anxiety and competitiveness that define this formative experience. Turow's exploration of his peers' psyches and his knack for suspense foreshadow his success with his debut novel, Presumed Innocent. Each September, new students enter Harvard Law School, facing an intense and often grueling introduction to the law. Turow's cohort of One Ls is bright, ambitious, and somewhat intimidating. The faculty includes the combative contracts professor, Perini, who challenges students; the seemingly indecisive torts professor, Zechman; and the humanistic Nicky Morris, who emphasizes the personal aspects of law. The narrative raises questions about survival, excellence, and the coveted Law Review, a symbol of success in this conservative environment. With keen insight into himself and his classmates, Turow recounts the year’s ups and downs, offering a thought-provoking look at law school and the people who inhabit it. In a new afterword, he reflects on a decade of legal practice and suggests reforms for legal education.