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One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,271 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Decades after Scott Turow entered law school comes an all new unabridged production of this classic with a special introduction by and interview with the author One L, Scott Turow's journal of his first year at law school and a bestseller when it was first published in 1977, has gone on to become a virtual bible for prospective law students. Not only does it introduce with remarkable clarity the ideas and issues that are the stuff of legal education; it also brings alive the anxiety and competitiveness—with others and, even more, with oneself—that set the tone in this crucible of character building. Each September, a new crop of students enter Harvard Law School to begin an intense, often grueling, sometimes harrowing year of introduction to the law. Will the One L's survive? Will they excel? Will they make the Law Review, the outward and visible sign of success in this ultra-competitive microcosm. With remarkable insight into both his fellow students and himself, Turow leads us through the ups and downs, the small triumphs and tragedies of the year, in an absorbing and thought-provoking narrative that teaches the listener not only about law school and the law but also about the human beings who make them what they are.
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"This almost changed my mind about going to law school. It may have been a little overly dramatic but fun none the less. And now that I lived through it I can see that if I'm telling the story of my first year of law school I'm sure I'll make it far more dramatic than it actually was. "
— Christopher (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The most accurate, complete, and balanced description yet of a century-old rite of passage in America.
— Baltimore Sun -
A sensitive, dramatically paced account of the author's first year at Harvard Law School...I read the book as if it were the most absorbing of thrillers, losing track of the time I spent with it, and resenting the hours I had to be away from it...It should be read by anyone who has ever contemplated going to law school. or anyone who has ever worried about being human.
— Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times
One L Listener Reviews
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" Dutch Law School is peanuts compared to Harvard. So depressing it enticing! "
— Saar, 2/20/2014 -
" Loved it! Of course, I am about to start law school, so I was living vicariously through the writer's story... "
— Jennifer, 2/15/2014 -
" Definately an accurate portrayal of that harrowing first year of law school. Read it BEFORE you decide to go! "
— Jen, 2/10/2014 -
" Pretty much to the T, how one experiences the first year of law school. "
— Monica, 2/2/2014 -
" I'm now alternately terrified and excited about law school. "
— Bill, 1/28/2014 -
" Don't go to Harvard for law school. "
— Andrea, 1/25/2014 -
" While I was studying for the LSAT this was riveting... might be boring to most... "
— Ryan, 1/24/2014 -
" A detailed look at the life of a first year law student at Harvard Law School. Very dated (tuition at the time was $3,000/year!) but I imagine that many things are very similar. I skimmed some spots and it got repetitious a few times, but over all the writing was good and it held my attention. Turow spent a lot of time talking about the Socratic method and it's impact on the students, which was interesting. I also learned that he was a writing instructor at Stanford prior to going to law school. That background explains why he's a better author than John Grisham (IMHO). "
— Cindi, 1/23/2014 -
" If you, or anyone you love, is heading off to law school, you must read this book. "
— Alison, 1/20/2014 -
" I found it facinating to read an account of law school 30 years ago & feel it was so in line with much of my experience. I felt all the dread & stress of 1L coming back to me as I read it. Really good book, but took a bit to get through it. "
— Angela, 1/20/2014 -
" One of my favorite books of all time. Just re-read as a way to get over the trauma of grad school; felt reassuring to know that some of the pressures I experienced were common across different types of grad school as well as different times (1970s and now). "
— Anna, 1/19/2014 -
" Definitely entertaining. I can imagine the biggest drama queens/kings in my law school class writing a book like this. If you plan to go to law school, and you prepare yourself for everything in this book, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you get there. "
— Bryce, 1/12/2014 -
" I have even more respect for all my law school friends now. How you all survived it and came out human, let alone humane, is a mystery to me. "
— Casey, 12/19/2013 -
" This was really a good read. I liked that it told Turow's story but also gave some solid information on outlining, test prep, etc. "
— Zareena, 11/5/2013 -
" A must-read for anyone contemplating law school...just don't take it too much to heart :-) "
— Emily, 11/4/2013 -
" Being a 1L is hard. Scott Turow proved to be a whiney little bitch. Everyone gets emasculated by a professor. Get over it. "
— Hunter, 10/24/2013 -
" I say it is only ok because I'm concerned about what it had to say. It was written well and very interesting to read. I hope that Tom's law school isn't quite like this. "
— Tonya, 9/19/2013 -
" For those who survived law school ;-) "
— Sophie, 7/5/2013 -
" listened as audio. Very interesting. "
— Eileen, 1/19/2013 -
" Not sure if it explains the law students entirely but it helped. I think the author is a little too grounded for some of the law school craziness. "
— Mary-Michelle, 1/4/2013 -
" Interesting enough look at the first year of law school. Nothing spectacular, I suppose, and it felt a bit outdated, but I enjoyed reading it nevertheless. "
— Max, 1/2/2013 -
" It was a bit overdramatic, but that's understandable when you're trying to sell a book about someone going to school for a year. I mostly enjoyed the competitive interactions between the students, and his thoughts on the competition of it all. Entertaining at least. "
— Jeff, 12/30/2012 -
" I read this when I thought of becoming a lawyer. Finished it and knew that lawyering was a terrible idea for a spaz like me. "
— Daniel, 12/8/2012 -
" A great read for anyone thinking of Law School! "
— Courtney, 11/18/2012 -
" Facinating look at law school and the people who choose to endure it. Should be required reading for anyone considering the LSAT, etc. "
— David, 10/21/2012 -
" This is goddamn depressing "
— Pk, 10/17/2012 -
" This book is like a ghost story that one tells children in order to keep them from playing around the spooky (and dangerous) mansion at the end of the lane. The lesson it taught me: go to law school in the 60s sucked. "
— Eva, 7/19/2012 -
" For a short time I was prelaw in college. I wound up being more or less pre-cab driver. The standard text for all who are at least curious about the life of a law student. "
— Rahadyan, 6/23/2012 -
" Quick read, entertaining if you are curious about Harvard Law School. "
— Clarisa, 10/10/2011 -
" Pretty good story. A little over the top at times. "
— Dawn, 7/4/2011 -
" Great book for anyone entering or considering law school. It's a short book and a quick read. I was glad I read it before my first year of law school. "
— James, 5/16/2011 -
" Law students should read this book to put their experience into perspective! Interesting (and frightening!) insight into the world of Harvard law. "
— Joanna, 5/9/2011 -
" Best diary of a 25 year boy that I have ever read. Seriously, every one told me that this book made Harvard out to be so cut throat and horrible. Mostly, everyone just appeards anxious and neurotic and sleep deprived, which is about the norm for any first year graduate program. No big deal. "
— sophie, 3/29/2011 -
" It is a pleasing enough read but it does not reflect the first year of law school especially accurately. Still, gotta admit Turow got better grades in his One-L year than I got in mine. "
— Suzyn, 3/18/2011 -
" Seeing what I can expect my first year. "
— Joshua, 1/21/2011 -
" A good book for those that want to go to law school. It helps you to remove the rose colored glasses and get an idea what of law school is really like. "
— Danielle, 10/20/2010 -
" Read it in a few days. caveat: i am in the process of taking the LSAT and going to law school myself... "
— Kristin, 10/13/2010
About Scott Turow
Scott Turow is the author of nonfiction and bestselling works of fiction, including Presumed Innocent and The Burden of Proof, which reached the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. His books have been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies worldwide and have been adapted into movies and television projects. He has frequently contributed essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, New Yorker, and The Atlantic.
About Holter Graham
Holter Graham, winner of three of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voice of the Year awards, is a stage, television, and screen actor. He has recorded numerous audiobooks and earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actor, his film credits include Fly Away Home, Maximum Overdrive, Hairspray, and The Diversion, a short film which he acted in and produced. On television, he has appeared in Army Wives, Damages, As the World Turns, Rescue Me, Law & Order, and New York Undercover. He received a BA degree from Skidmore College and an MFA from Vermont College.