Contracts in a Nutshell

I got this book halfway through the semester when I realized I didn't understand anything that was going on in my contracts class. It's easy to understand and very helpful. The sample questions at the back were really useful, too. I haven't gotten my exam grade back yet, but I'm positive that this book helped me get a better grade than I would have received without it.

This book is as simple as it gets. Contract law is one of the more complex subjects in law school. Any material that adds complexity to an already challenging subject has little value especially to 1L's and even bar candidates. Understanding the basics of the subject is crucial. That is why this book stands out from the rest. I have read the casebook, a hornbook in this jurisdiction as well as various textbooks in a foreign jurisdiction. "Contracts in a Nutshell" gives the simplest explanation of the law by far. It is a must read indeed!

The book has an excellent presentation of the theory of contracts. The six main categories are described initially and explained in the ensuing text. These categories consist of:1. Express contracts consisting of the standard offer-acceptance and consideration trilogy2. Implied in fact contracts distinguished by conduct rather than by express words3. Promissory estoppel referred to as detrimental reliance4. Subsequent promises to perform pre-existing obligations5. A minority theory of imposing liability based upon a subsequent promise to pay for material benefits previously conferred.6. Implied in law quasi-contracts which are non-consensual obligationsThe theory of an offer arouses an expectation in the mind of areasonable person. Such an expectation may create a power ofacceptance in the offeree. An offer must be sufficiently certainto make any resulting agreement enforceable and damages calculable. The offer must be certain as to the parties, subject matter, price and time of performance. An offer in which theofferor or offering party promises to do or not to do something in exchange for a promise by the offeree to act is an offer fora bilateral or two-sided contract. Further details as tobargained exchanges, the statute of frauds and a whole hostof complicating factors are set forth simply with a generoussprinkling of stare decisis cases to illustrate the legalpoints explained. The text will be helpful for law students,journalists, constitutional scholars and a whole host ofother constituencies in academe.This text is a good supplement to the standard legal texts on contract law. It is well worth the price charged.

With the Nutshell series, it's hit and miss. Some are excellent, others mediocre, and some downright duds. The Contracts installment falls in the first category. Concepts are introduced and explained succinctly and coherently. The book also includes questions for each section and suggested answers. I found it very useful for reinforcing concepts discussed in class. Farnsworth's treatise was also helpful.

I bought this book during my first year of law school and was grateful for its clear, concise explanations and numerous examples. Since then, I have referred to Contracts in a Nutshell many times in the context of both academic and professional research. At present, I find that many excerpts are even suitable for teaching basic principles of contract law to students in non-law-related fields. But of course, its primary purpose remains dispelling the mysteries of contract law for 1st years and sweeping the cobwebs from the bar-taker's storeroom of legal knowledge.