You’ll often be told that you have to read around your subject in order to prepare for your university applications – but how do you find out what to read? Law is notoriously complicated and inaccessible, so it’s hard to know where to start. For that reason, we’ve drawn up a list of the ten books we believe every prospective Law student should read.
10 Books Every Law Student Should Read
We think it’s really important to keep it simple and interesting when you’re beginning to explore a subject, so we’ve kept away from dry, dense and convoluted texts. In fact, a lot of the titles suggested below are fiction books.
These books are selected to give you a clear picture of what Law is truly about, in a way that’s easy to grasp. After reading them, you should have a solid understanding of Law, setting a strong foundation for further studies, such as our Oxford Summer School in Law.
So, on to number one!
1. “About Law” by Tony Honoré
This is the first book I read when I decided I wanted to study Law. It’s also the only one I put on my personal statement when applying to Oxford. I think it’s sometimes better to read and enjoy a small number of high-quality books than to try to discuss hundreds of things you don’t fully understand.
About Law is probably the most basic introduction to the legal sector you can get. Tony Honoré is a well-renowned legal academic, who has managed to condense his knowledge into an introduction to the law that is both simple and interesting. He discusses all kinds of topics, including the purpose of law, how it works (in simple terms), as well as a basic introduction to the English legal system.
It’s strongly suggested that you read this book – even if you read nothing else on this list. It’s a short book, but by the time you’ve finished it, you’ll know far more than when you started.
2. “Landmarks in the Law” by Lord Denning
Another fairly fundamental book, Lord Denning’s Landmarks in the Law is a fascinating run-through of some of the biggest events in English law. Both legally and historically, it’s extremely valuable.
Another reason for recommending this book is the skill and prestige of its author. Lord Denning was arguably one of the most influential judges there has ever been. He focused on making the law accessible to normal people, and he did it with exceptional talent. His judgments are unparalleled, but if you can’t access them directly, this book is the next best thing.