Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat outdated and not fun to read
Review: I bought this book, and while I'm not exactly sorry that I did, I don't think it's the best of the plethora of similar books out there. Deaver spends a great deal of time outlining his system, which he used WITHOUT A COMPUTER. While the system is easily adapted to a computer format, it makes many of his points about what kind of paper to write on and such useless.I also found his description of a study system less easy to follow and less promising than that described in _Law School Confidential_, which I recommend highly. Overall, I'd say if you're a really anal-type looking to have a system laid out to follow to the letter, this book might work for you. For me, I just wanted something a little more flexible and with more information about why the author likes a certain method of studying.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential Reading for Law School Students
Review: I can see why this book is still in print so long after it was first published, because it's advice is invaluable. This book is not just another "what law school is really like" type of thing (although some of that is in there), but focuses mainly on helping you understand those elements of law school which are vital to excelling. I found four things to be extremely useful. First, this book explains clearly and simply how to write a coherent brief. It gives you a basic outline to follow and tells you how to identify the relevant information in a given case. Second, this book gives a strategy for outlining class notes, textbook material, and other sources in such a way that if you follow the author's advice, you will always be on top of your classwork and will have a huge advantage come crunch time. Third, this book shows how to do well on exams using the outline mentioned above. And fourth, this book gives some good advice on writing papers. In addition to this, the beginning of the book is a pretty good introduction to preparing for law school, and the end of the book has some good stuff for law school students. I don't regret having bought this book, because now I feel I have a sound strategy for entering law school which I think will help me hit the ground running.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading for Law School Students
Review: I can see why this book is still in print so long after it was first published, because it's advice is invaluable. This book is not just another "what law school is really like" type of thing (although some of that is in there), but focuses mainly on helping you understand those elements of law school which are vital to excelling. I found four things to be extremely useful. First, this book explains clearly and simply how to write a coherent brief. It gives you a basic outline to follow and tells you how to identify the relevant information in a given case. Second, this book gives a strategy for outlining class notes, textbook material, and other sources in such a way that if you follow the author's advice, you will always be on top of your classwork and will have a huge advantage come crunch time. Third, this book shows how to do well on exams using the outline mentioned above. And fourth, this book gives some good advice on writing papers. In addition to this, the beginning of the book is a pretty good introduction to preparing for law school, and the end of the book has some good stuff for law school students. I don't regret having bought this book, because now I feel I have a sound strategy for entering law school which I think will help me hit the ground running.
Rating:
Summary: Oversimplified!
Review: I feel that this book oversimplifies law school. I just felt like it made the work seem very easy...and I did feel that it was outdated in terms of what students rely on nowadays to study for their courses. And the book put too much emphasis on the outline, and not enough on other ways to grasp the material, such as study groups and supplements. I referred to it a few times since I've been in law school, but only a few times have I found much of what it says worthwhile. However, I did appreciate the definitions of what a "hornbook" was as opposed to a "casebook," and it does serve to ease the nerves. However, law school is a little different than this! I think it's time for a new edition!
Rating:
Summary: Oversimplified!
Review: I feel that this book oversimplifies law school. I just felt like it made the work seem very easy...and I did feel that it was outdated in terms of what students rely on nowadays to study for their courses. And the book put too much emphasis on the outline, and not enough on other ways to grasp the material, such as study groups and supplements. I referred to it a few times since I've been in law school, but only a few times have I found much of what it says worthwhile. However, I did appreciate the definitions of what a "hornbook" was as opposed to a "casebook," and it does serve to ease the nerves. However, law school is a little different than this! I think it's time for a new edition!
Rating:
Summary: A Good Introductory Guide to Law School
Review: I picked up Jeff Deaver's guide shortly before I started law school as a One L (first year law student for the uninitiated). Largely, I was looking for information on how to 'brief' a case, which is essential to surviving the case study method Socratic technique that most law schools employeed. The chapter on briefing was concise and easy to read. It was a good starting point. That is also a good way to describe this book: 'a good starting point.' Deaver attempts to describe everything from why you might want to become a lawyer, taking the LSAT, studying in school, taking a law exam, and finding employment. It is a great overview. On top of that, Deaver doesn't sugar coat anything. When discussing motives for going to school, he discusses the potential wealth to be gained from the profession without reservation or apology. He makes sure to mention the work involved as well, and warns that law school is not the place for the uncommitted. Anyone who reads this book will probably realize that Deaver has laid out a comprehensive plan for studying and getting through classes. As some other reviewers have mentioned, the method is a bit out dated with advent and rise of computers, but his methods can easily be adapted. After having have completed a couple of weeks of my first year, I have found his ideas to be helpful. However, I have had to manipulate his method to suit my studying method, which I am sure he would approve of. I would recommend this book for anyone thinking of going to school. It provides plenty of things to think about and other things to research before making the commitment. For the studend that has already been accepted, this is a decent primer for the upcoming school year.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Introductory Guide to Law School
Review: I picked up Jeff Deaver's guide shortly before I started law school as a One L (first year law student for the uninitiated). Largely, I was looking for information on how to 'brief' a case, which is essential to surviving the case study method Socratic technique that most law schools employeed. The chapter on briefing was concise and easy to read. It was a good starting point. That is also a good way to describe this book: 'a good starting point.' Deaver attempts to describe everything from why you might want to become a lawyer, taking the LSAT, studying in school, taking a law exam, and finding employment. It is a great overview. On top of that, Deaver doesn't sugar coat anything. When discussing motives for going to school, he discusses the potential wealth to be gained from the profession without reservation or apology. He makes sure to mention the work involved as well, and warns that law school is not the place for the uncommitted. Anyone who reads this book will probably realize that Deaver has laid out a comprehensive plan for studying and getting through classes. As some other reviewers have mentioned, the method is a bit out dated with advent and rise of computers, but his methods can easily be adapted. After having have completed a couple of weeks of my first year, I have found his ideas to be helpful. However, I have had to manipulate his method to suit my studying method, which I am sure he would approve of. I would recommend this book for anyone thinking of going to school. It provides plenty of things to think about and other things to research before making the commitment. For the studend that has already been accepted, this is a decent primer for the upcoming school year.
Rating: 
Summary: Badly needs to be updated
Review: I read this before starting law school and was impressed by its guide to academic success. Unfortunately, after starting law school, reality set in and the book's weak points became very clear; namely, the lack of any discussion of using computers in law school.
It's tough to differentiate this book from the shelves of other similar books, all promising you the knowledge of how to succeed in law school. The problem is that each person has their own way of learning, analyzing and remembering information. What is suggested in one book may be totally useless to one person, yet may be a revelation to others.
This book is of some use for those entering law school, if only to see an outline of learning habits for those anally-retentive enough to follow it on a daily basis. But my experience was that all the self-help books become useless once I developed my own study skills. And, while these sorts of books may be good for 1Ls, they are not very useful for 2Ls or 3Ls.
The lack of incorporating computers into one's learning skills is the absolute weakest aspect of this book. Without laptops and online study guides, many current law school students would be totally lost.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for calming the nerves
Review: I've bought several similar books in an attempt to get some idea what to expect and how to attack law school. This is by far the best one. I feel much less anxious about starting law school next fall. The author gives specific systems for mastering breifing cases, preparing course outlines and preparing for exams. The emphasis in this book is to develop a system where you continually learn through excellent organization throughout the term so there is no burst of frantic studying before the exam. This book will continually be a good reference throughout my first year in law school. Its the only book you need!
Rating:
Summary: the gems obscured by the confusion
Review: One of the worst things a 1L can do is rely on confusing, ambiguous advice. The law is ambiguous, but the way to succeed in law school really isn't. This book is simply not direct enough to be helpful, and it contains too much unhelpful advice. If you learn nothing else from any of these books, learn this: You must outline (preferably on a computer, where you can move fast, have high endurance, be neat, and move stuff around, if nec.). Start early and keep up regularly. How you outline is more flexible than is sometimes suggested. Just do it.
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