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Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:31 am
by BobDole34
This is incredibly novice, and I am almost embarrassed to ask, but I am unclear how these work with a class text. I get there is a textbook and cases. But exactly what is the difference between an E&E and a hornbook? For which classes should supplments be used and what are the credited options? I just need one of those really helpful TLS run downs of this issue for a pre-1L.
Thanks.
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:37 am
by Arrow
BobDole34 wrote:This is incredibly novice, and I am almost embarrassed to ask, but I am unclear how these work with a class text. I get there is a textbook and cases. But exactly what is the difference between an E&E and a hornbook?
Sure, I'll bite. No need to be shy in asking, we were all new to this once. I do recommend you do some epic searching since many of the older threads answer common questions in a much more comprehensive manner.
First, there's
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=26949
Then there's me blabbering on and on.
E&E's and hornbooks are both supplements. E&E's, also called Examples and Explanations, are usually simplified versions of the law. Each book comes with examples (which are basically questions and hypotheticals) and answers to these questions. They are great for practicing your legal thinking and helping you understand through active analysis. The E&E's are usually 400-700 pages long and in paperback form.
Then there's the hornbooks. These look like textbooks and are basically treatises of the law. They are not always labeled "hornbooks" so it may be hard to tell. The books pretty much cover the entire area of law with epic citations to back up its authority. It usually gives ALL of the law in one relevant area along with the reasons why we have those laws (aka the policy). These books are uber heavy and rather intimidating. They generally come in hardcover form and are over 1000 pages long.
BobDole34 wrote: For which classes should supplments be used and what are the credited options? I just need one of those really helpful TLS run downs of this issue for a pre-1L.
This ultimately depends on your professor and your understanding of the subject. I recommend you ask your professor which supplements he or she recommends and then adjust accordingly. I also recommend supplements for every class.
In my opinion, the best supplements are are Glannons E&Es on Torts and Civil Procedure, Chemerinsky’s Constitutional Law, Chirelstein’s Contracts, Prosser’s Hornbook on Torts, Farnsworth’s Hornbook on Contracts, Dressler’s Criminal Law books, and of course various CALI lessons. I would recommend reading all relevant sections in these supplements regardless of who your professor is because they are simply legendary (I am sure not everyone will agree of course).
It will become a lot clearer once you actually look at the books. But that is just what they are...books.
Finally, as for how they fit into your classwork, that may be a debate for another day. Most call them supplements because, well, they "supplement" your understanding of the law. They can clarify difficult legal concepts, or serve as a basis for understanding the law. You will probably also discover over time, that some people like myself will recommend you use supplements as the primary course of study.
Best of luck.
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:39 am
by BobDole34
Thank you very much for the reply. One follow up: What is CALI?
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:52 am
by Arrow
CALI stands for California, the sexiest state ever.
Oh you mean regarding supplements.

The CALI I was refering to is the Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction. Most law schools give their students a cd version or a password to access CALI. It is basically a computer program with questions and explanations of the law. It is kind of like the E&E's but on the computer and more interactive. I would just think of it as another supplement.
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:09 am
by altoidz
lol cali

Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:03 pm
by annapavlova
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:04 pm
by valley splitter
tag
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:23 pm
by Nat1018
tag
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:23 pm
by jwrit07
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Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:27 pm
by holydonkey
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:28 pm
by JOThompson
Tag
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 12:55 am
by manbearwig
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:01 pm
by cpboy77
holydonkey wrote:jwrit07 wrote:tag
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:41 pm
by annapavlova
The tagging is ridiculous. The link is obviously a sticky, and can be accessed just by going to that forum.
This thread needs to die.
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 1:14 am
by risktaker
tag
Re: Can someone explain hornbooks, E&E's, and supplements to me?
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 1:58 pm
by Capitol A
annapavlova wrote:The tagging is ridiculous. The link is obviously a sticky, and can be accessed just by going to that forum.
This thread needs to die.
tag