Contracts in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (West Publishing))

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.

Thank you so much for a nutshell version of contracts! It's all beginning to make sense now! I believe this book was key in helping me to pass this, not so much fun, class!

Some time around mid-semester, I was hopelessly lost and confused in my contracts last. In my despair, I bought this book. It opened up my eyes and lifted the fog of contracts for me. My final grade in the class was much better than I hoped for and I have to partly thank this book for that. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is that it is useful for bare bones knowledge of contracts, and shouldn't be used to replace attending class and taking good notes.

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 trilogy
2. Implied in fact contracts distinguished by conduct rather than
by express words
3. Promissory estoppel referred to as detrimental reliance
4. Subsequent promises to perform pre-existing obligations
5. 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 obligations

The theory of an offer arouses an expectation in the mind of a
reasonable person. Such an expectation may create a power of
acceptance in the offeree. An offer must be sufficiently certain
to 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 the
offeror or offering party promises to do or not to do something in exchange for a promise by the offeree to act is an offer for
a bilateral or two-sided contract. Further details as to
bargained exchanges, the statute of frauds and a whole host
of complicating factors are set forth simply with a generous
sprinkling of stare decisis cases to illustrate the legal
points explained. The text will be helpful for law students,journalists, constitutional scholars and a whole host of
other constituencies in academe.

This text is a good supplement to the standard legal texts on contract law. It is well worth the price charged.