
THE COMMON LAW - By Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
LECTURE I. — EARLY FORMS OF LIABILITY.
LECTURE II. — THE CRIMINAL LAW.
LECTURE III. — TORTS.—TRESPASS AND NEGLIGENCE.
LECTURE IV. — FRAUD, MALICE, AND INTENT.—THE THEORY OF TORTS.
LECTURE V. — THE BAILEE AT COMMON LAW.
LECTURE VI. — POSSESSION.
LECTURE VII. — CONTRACT.—I. HISTORY.
LECTURE VIII. — CONTRACT. II. ELEMENTS.
LECTURE IX. — CONTRACT.—III. VOID AND VOIDABLE.
In this thoughtful exploration of the common law, the author invites listeners to travel from the earliest forms of liability—when justice was rooted in vengeance—to the sophisticated legal doctrines that shape modern courts. By weaving together historical anecdotes, classical references, and vivid examples from Anglo‑Saxon and Roman traditions, the narrative shows how law is less a cold set of logical formulas and more a living response to society’s changing needs and moral sensibilities.
The book balances rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, revealing how judges’ instincts, public policy, and the practical demands of the day have continually reshaped legal principles. Listeners will discover why certain rules feel intuitively right, while others trace back to ancient customs that seem foreign today. This blend of history and theory offers a fresh lens on the foundations of our legal system, making the subject both engaging and relevant for anyone curious about how law evolves.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (727K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Stuart E. Thiel and David Widger
Release date
2000-12-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1841–1935
A Civil War veteran turned Supreme Court justice, he became one of the most quoted legal minds in American history. His sharp, memorable opinions helped shape modern thinking about free speech, judicial restraint, and how the law evolves with real life.
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