Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 46 votes)
5 stars
13(28%)
4 stars
10(22%)
3 stars
23(50%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
46 reviews
July 15,2025
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Singular and searching, this work truly stands out.

It has had a profound and lasting impact on legal scholarship, changing it forever.

It is not just any ordinary piece; it is a classic that has withstood the test of time.

The unique perspective and in-depth analysis presented within its pages have inspired generations of legal scholars.

Its significance cannot be overstated, as it has shaped the way we understand and approach the field of law.

Whether it is the innovative ideas, the meticulous research, or the engaging writing style, everything about this work contributes to its status as a classic.

It will continue to be studied, referenced, and revered for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on the world of legal scholarship.

July 15,2025
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This article is an absolute must-read for any future lawyers.

It offers valuable insights and practical knowledge that can significantly enhance their understanding of the legal profession.

The content is presented in a clear and engaging manner, making it accessible even to those who are new to the field.

Whether you are just starting your legal education or are already well on your way, this article has something to offer.

It covers a wide range of topics, including legal ethics, courtroom procedures, and the latest legal trends.

By reading this article, future lawyers can gain a competitive edge and be better prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead.

So, if you are serious about pursuing a career in law, don't miss out on this great read.

Pick up this article today and start expanding your legal knowledge.

July 15,2025
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The greatest joy of this book lies in spending an abundance of quality time with the author's mind and her literary way of expressing it. It is an incredible legal mind, as emotionally charged as it is rational in dissecting the way we, everyone, not just "us," view the world, with a particular focus on race and law. It is a humorous and inventive mind. It is a mind that has provided me with numerous revelatory moments, many smiles and some laughter, and many moments when I silently exclaimed.

Although this book is thirty years old, unfortunately, it does not feel outdated at all. Having a legal background is beneficial, as otherwise, this book might be a more challenging read than it was for me.

Here is a short excerpt from the middle of the book that gives you an idea of how Williams' mind operates:

The director of the Rockettes defended the all-white line on artistic grounds. She stated that the dancers were supposed to be "mirror images" of one another and added: "One or two black girls in the line would definitely be a distraction. You would lose the whole look of precision."

Mere symmetry, of course, could be achieved by hiring all black dancers. It could be achieved by hiring light-skinned black dancers, in the tradition of the Cotton Club's glorious heyday of condescension. It could be achieved by hiring an even number of black dancers and then positioning them like little black anchors at either end or like hubcaps in the center, or by scattering them throughout the lineup at even intervals, for a nice checkerboard, melting-pot effect. It could be achieved by allowing all the white dancers to tan a bit in the sun to match the black dancers—something they were prohibited from doing for many years because the owner of the Rockettes didn't want them to look "like colored girls." There are many ways to make a racially mixed lineup appear like a mirror image of itself. Hiring just one black dancer, however, is not the way to accomplish this.
July 15,2025
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**Original Article**: The importance of reading cannot be overemphasized. It broadens our knowledge, enhances our vocabulary, and improves our comprehension skills. Reading also exposes us to different cultures and ideas, which helps us to become more open-minded and understanding. In addition, it is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day.

**Expanded Article**:

The importance of reading simply cannot be overemphasized.

It is an activity that has a profound impact on our lives. Reading broadens our knowledge in countless ways. It allows us to explore different subjects, from history and science to literature and art.

By reading, we can learn about the world around us and gain a deeper understanding of various phenomena.

Moreover, reading enhances our vocabulary. We come across new words and expressions, which we can then incorporate into our own speech and writing.

This not only makes us more articulate but also helps us to express our thoughts and ideas more precisely.

Another benefit of reading is that it improves our comprehension skills. We learn to analyze and interpret the text, understand the author's intended meaning, and draw inferences.

This is a valuable skill that can be applied in many areas of our lives, such as school, work, and daily communication.

Furthermore, reading exposes us to different cultures and ideas. It allows us to step into the shoes of others and see the world from their perspective.

This helps us to become more open-minded and understanding, and to appreciate the diversity that exists in our society.

Finally, reading is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. It can transport us to another world, away from the stresses and pressures of our daily lives.

We can lose ourselves in a good book and forget about our troubles for a while.

In conclusion, reading is an essential activity that offers numerous benefits. We should make it a habit to read regularly and encourage others to do the same.
July 15,2025
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I had to resort to googling a plethora of words and concepts in order to read this book. However, I am extremely glad that I took the effort. I am well aware that I didn't glean as much from it as someone with an education in legal matters would. Nevertheless, I believe I obtained sufficient knowledge. This experience has truly piqued my interest, and I would most definitely like to explore more of her books in the future.


Each page seemed to present new challenges with unfamiliar terminology, but through my diligent research, I was able to gradually piece together the meaning. It was a rewarding process that broadened my understanding.


I look forward to delving into her other works and continuing to expand my knowledge in this fascinating area.

July 15,2025
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I too love anecdotes.

Anecdotes are like little gems that can brighten up our day and offer us valuable insights. They are short, interesting stories that often have a moral or a lesson to teach.

I enjoy listening to anecdotes from different people as they can provide a unique perspective on life. Whether it's a funny incident, a heartwarming experience, or a thought-provoking encounter, anecdotes have the power to engage and inspire us.

Sometimes, an anecdote can even change our way of thinking or influence our actions. It can make us see things from a different angle and give us a newfound appreciation for the world around us.

In conclusion, anecdotes are an important part of our lives. They add color and depth to our conversations and can help us connect with others on a deeper level. So, the next time you hear an anecdote, take a moment to listen and appreciate the wisdom it has to offer.
July 15,2025
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I truly have a deep affection for the way she skillfully manipulates prose to present legal jargon.

Her approach is not at all off-putting. Instead, it is extremely inviting for those who may not be well-versed in the complex concepts regarding this country's racial relationship, the formation of laws, and how they are implemented in a modern context.

It was simply breathtaking to witness the seamless interweaving of the personal with legal theory.

To be honest, I was initially uncertain whether I would like this book. I had the impression that it might be burdened by inaccessible language and concepts. However, the author has truly managed to make this piece not only easy to understand but also a literary delight.

In the end, I have gained a wealth of knowledge from this book and have become more confident in my plans to pursue law.

It is most definitely a must-read for racially marginalized individuals who are considering law school and academia.

July 15,2025
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This book truly left a lasting impression on me. The writing style was not only beautiful but also witty and observant. It had a certain charm that kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, there were moments when the content went over my head, especially when it came to the part about the polar bears. I found myself wondering what their significance was in the context of the story.

Despite this, I have decided to remind myself to re-read this book in a few years. I hope that by then, I will have gained more life experience and a better understanding of the world, which will allow me to comprehend the deeper meanings and subtleties within the text.

I believe that this book has the potential to offer new insights and perspectives with each reading, and I look forward to uncovering its hidden treasures in the future.
July 15,2025
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I have a deep affection for the anecdotes presented in this book. It offers an effortless and captivating perspective on modern racism. Society often has a proclivity to downplay current racism, as it is somewhat obscured when contrasted with the more overt and legalized racism of our recent past. However, this book effectively lifts the veil.

My sole gripe is that at times, I became disoriented within Patricia Williams' elaborate language. Nevertheless, I found the book to be truly fascinating. I couldn't help but wish that we had this particular interpretation of some renowned constitutional law cases when I was taking the class last year.

The book's exploration of modern racism is both eye-opening and thought-provoking. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and recognize the subtler forms of discrimination that still persist in our society.

Despite the occasional difficulty in navigating Williams' language, the overall value of the book cannot be denied. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of confronting and addressing racism in all its manifestations.
July 15,2025
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This is undoubtedly the best book I've perused in quite some time. I find myself completely and utterly obsessed with Williams' writing style and unique voice. In fact, I almost wish I could be friends with her. Her writing is a rich tapestry, humorously interwoven with memoir and legal theory. It's a must-read for all law students, but it's also remarkably accessible to others.

Here are some of my thoughts:

On page 72, Williams writes, "No one existed for well-intentioned white people who could not be governed by their intentions." This statement really makes one stop and think.

Page 87 reveals the disturbing reality of racist law school exams that force law students to either rationalize racial hatred or suppress their social conscience.

"Misery may love company but I trust none of us particularly loves misery," as stated on page 94, is a profound observation.

Page 107 features the hilarious "sausage" example where Williams excerpts a closing argument she made against a sausage manufacturer. Yet, she seamlessly transitions from this humorous anecdote to the important topic of "rediscovering those injuries made invisible by the bounds of legal discourse."

The analogy to sorcery in her critique of rights critique on page 164 is simply ingenious. I audibly said "wow" when I read it.

The final essay, "On Being the Object of Property (a gift of intelligent rage)," begins with Williams' positionality as the descendant of her great-great-grandmother Sophie, who was enslaved and impregnated at 11 by a white lawyer. On the verge of entering Harvard Law School, Williams discusses the "troubling paradox" of "reclaiming that from which one has been disinherited."

In conclusion, I was truly blown away by every single essay in this book. I sincerely hope to learn more from her, whether through further reading or in a classroom setting. I eagerly look forward to reading her next work.
July 15,2025
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An excellent biographical novel that is interspersed with profound thoughts, innovative ideas, and deep reflections. This remarkable piece of literature has captivated my attention to such an extent that I have read and reread it numerous times. With each reading, I have delved deeper into its pages, uncovering new layers of meaning and gaining more profound understandings of myself and my place in life. The author's masterful storytelling and the vivid portrayal of the characters have made this book a truly immersive experience. It has served as a mirror, reflecting my own strengths and weaknesses, and inspiring me to strive for personal growth and self-discovery. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and life-changing read.

July 15,2025
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This particular work was truly a bit beyond my level of expertise, which is why I'm choosing to forgo assigning a star rating and instead share a few random thoughts here.


It is clearly an influential book within the realm of critical theory. Even without having a solid understanding of the context of legal analysis during that time, I could sense that I was reading the words of someone who had emerged with a novel and innovative approach to the discipline.


That voice still feels fresh and relevant in today's world. Virtually everything presented here can be considered within the context of today's discussions regarding race and rights.


For someone like myself, who was just a child when this book was published, it serves as an introduction to numerous real-world cases of racial discrimination that were widely discussed in the press and in private conversations back then but have more or less faded from our memories. Thus, it is a valuable snapshot of a particular moment in history.


I found myself completely overwhelmed by many of the legal theory aspects of the book. I struggled through it and did manage to gain some comprehension, but it was no easy feat. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is not either 1) a lawyer or law student, or 2) willing to read it without the hope of fully understanding every single detail.


Although there is an overall argument贯穿 the work, it is still a collection of related essays and can at times feel repetitive. That's okay, but it's probably best read in individual sittings. There is physical evidence of my flagging enthusiasm; I earmarked a great deal in the early part of the book and very little in the latter half. A previous reader who had underlined a lot also seemed to lose interest as the book progressed.


"None of this, however, should be misconstrued as doubts about the value of my education. It should not be taken as a denial of the wonderful people and wonderful moments that have also characterized my schooling and my career. My complaining does not mean that I devalue who I am; but just because Harvard admitted me or Stanford hired me does not mean that they own me to such an extent that I can never express my feelings. There would be an element of unthinking zeal in that, I believe, similar to blind patriotism: love it or leave it. Failing to complain about real inequities and real sources of misery even within the most powerful institutions seems only to be a form of kowtowing to power rather than engaging in a meaningful and noble way."
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