One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School

I found this fascinating, both when it was first published and now, just having finished it for the second time.

I've just completed this book, even though I graduated from law school in 2000. I wish that I had read the book before law school or after the first semester, because it would have helped me understand the insanity that prevailed during that first year. (When I speak of insanity, I am referring to the never-ending anxiety, classroom competition, attention-seeking, obsession with grades, and the personality changes that occur when the first-semester grades are finally posted.) Turow did a great job of explaining how the Socratic method operates. I attended a "regular" Midwestern law school, and my experience with the Socratic method in 1997 was not as severe as Turow's was at Harvard in the 1970s. However, it was similar. I appreciated the fact that Turow did not have any command of legalese when he began law school. I had no command of it, either, and, like him, I spent countless hours reading only a few pages in the beginning. It was reassuring to learn that he had the same experience. I do not believe the purpose of the book is to dissuade others from going to law school. It is simply one man's account of his experiences in the first year of law school. It is still very interesting after all these years. I gave the book four stars instead of five because it became boring near the end. Nonetheless, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone considering going to law school.

A well crafted peek behind the curtain. Since this was written before the advent of word processors, I’d be interested to learn how the advent of laptops has changed not just data management, document sharing and research, just as A.I. will challenge ethics. I’m a law nerd married to a member of the bar. Thank you for writing this and sharing your ideas to evolve law school in a more practical direction.

One of these days I shall have to replace my copy of One-L. It's falling apart. Turow writes so well, and his One-L is a great read. I live in Minnesota. On cold and rainy days when I want to avoid the elements by hunkering down with a good book, I often turn to old favorites. They provide company with their familiarity. One-L is such a favorite. It is, however, more than just another great read. I come from a family peopled with attorneys. In the 1800s they, like Lincoln, read the law. Then they began going to law school. My father graduated from The University of Chicago Law School in 1923. Uncles and first and second cousins, all of whom were male, have been attorneys. Now the children and grandchildren of these cousins, now both male and female, are either practicing attorneys or going to law school. They all, even the oldest of the codgers, sound like Turow clones when they speak of their law school days. Apparently, the more things change, the more they really do stay the same. This book, it seems to me, should be a "must read" for anyone planning to go to law school. May each and every one of you ace the LSAT and get into the law school of your choice. And, once you are accepted, may you find a perfect study group. April 14,2013 -- Since the weather really has been frightful day after day after day, I picked up my falling-apart-copy of One-L. Was I ever ready to hunker down and read! Alas, the book disintegrated. I ordered a new used copy which arrived in fine condition. Today, it's either snowing or raining, but I'm prepared. I'll stay inside, warm and dry, and read my new used book.

I’ve decided to become a lawyer myself so I looked up books to read. This book came up consistently and so I decided to give it a try. I’m not going to go into too much detail because I don’t want to but I was say that it is worth a read if you want to get an idea of what it was like to go to Harvard law school when Scott went. I could some this book up by saying Law school is stressful and being a lawyer can make you question your morals.

I approach this work as a multiple graduate degree scientist, not a lawyer. That said the moral conundrum, here in 2025 as experienced during that graduate education are not so different. What does science, per se, owe the folks that pay for it? Is the system of graduate education, in my case, as a PhD chemist, designed to do anything other than breed more academicians? Is that a useful enterprise, particularly when the less than stellar tier of graduates, PhD or not, are quite simply never going to be allowed to perform true academic science? Mr. Turow’s work here provides a framework, and a highly thoughtful and provocative one at that, as I consider these questions.

I want to say upfront that I have not attended law school. I planned to attend law school, but as I went through school my plans changed. I read this book because it was recommended by one of my professors who had gone to law school. He told me it was an interesting perspective on law school. I thought this book was fascinating. It captures well the feelings I have heard many people describe after going to law school - almost a love hate relationship with the experience. The topics he covers - socratic method, testing, etc. are very interesting. I would suggest this book to anyone who has an interest in law school. Even though I ended up deciding against going to law school I really enjoyed this book and I learned a lot from reading it. The nice thing is that even though the primary purpose of the book is to inform it is very entertaining and it moves at a good pace.

Just a fantastic book!!

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This used book written by Scott Turow was delivered in excellent condition. It is a very captivating and engaging account of the authors experience as a 1st year law school (1L) student at Harvard Law School in the 1970's. The style in which the book is written hooks the readers interest right from the start. Much of what the author describes in terms of the curriculum, teaching method, interactions with professors and classmates and the overall lifestyle of a law student would be very relevant and relatable to how it is in current times. I would highly recommend this book especially to those interested in considering applying to gain admission to law school.

Read this book was an important request of our teacher, he feels right, book is a real pleasure, little price

This book tells a story about someone first year at Harvard Law School. It is like a friend telling another one all his experiences, his ups, and his downs during that unique year. In some sense, I had the same kind of experience outside the United States of America (less intense) and I am able to say that much of the feelings are the same. While I was reading the book I kind of projected myself to the story. Liked it a lot. Good work.

日本の法科大学院に入る前に、アメリカのロースクールがどんなものか知りたくて日本語版を読んだ。実際、日本のソクラテスメソッドは、アメリカほど過酷じゃないが、著者の不安や興奮はとても共感できた。今、実際に法律家として働く中で英語で読み直してもとても面白い。