Why do we need laws? What rights are protected by law? When was forensic evidence first used in court? This book explores big questions like these, explaining the laws and legal precedents, and religious, political, and moral codes that have shaped the world we live in. Written in plain English, The Law Book cuts through the legal jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in legal history, with step-by-step diagrams and witty illustrations that untangle knotty concepts.-- Amazon.

Includes index.

The beginnings of law 2100 BCE-500 CE -- Law in the middle ages 500-1470 -- Empire and enlightenment 1470-1800 -- The rise of the rule of law 1800-1945 -- A new international order 1945-1980 -- Law in the modern age 1980-present.