LaPiana revises our understanding of the origin of modern legal education. He places the changes at Harvard in the context of the broader movements of 19th century intellectual history and provides a new understanding of antebellum legal education.

"Through extensive research in archival and manuscript collections, legal periodicals, and the reports of professional organizations, LaPiana places Langell's innovations for the first time within a comprehensive cultural framework."--American Historical Review "The most convincing and complete portrait of Christopher Columbus Langdell ever to appear."--The Journal of American History "This is a very good book containing many interesting discoveries; it probably puts forth the best case possible for its client and cause, Langdell and the Harvard project."--Michigan Law Review "The most convincing and complete portrait of Christopher Columbus Langdell ever to appear."--The Journal of American History "This work examines a subject that no other book does. It is based on exhaustive research and displays a lawyer's appreciation of the realities of practice."--Perspectives on Political Science "Through extensive research in archival and manuscript collections, legal periodicals, and the reports of professional organizations, LaPiana places Langell's innovations for the first time within a comprehensive cultural framework."--American Historical Review "The most convincing and complete portrait of Christopher Columbus Langdell ever to appear."--The Journal of American History "This is a very good book containing many interesting discoveries; it probably puts forth the best case possible for its client and cause, Langdell and the Harvard project."--Michigan Law Review "The most convincing and complete portrait of Christopher Columbus Langdell ever to appear."--The Journal of American History "This work examines a subject that no other book does. It is based on exhaustive research and displays a lawyer's appreciation of the realities of practice."--Perspectives on Political Science "The book has a nice mixture of ideas and people that gives one a sense that attention is being carefully paid to context."--Law and History Review