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57 pages 1 hour read

Scott Turow

One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1977

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

One L by Scott Turow recounts his transformative first year at Harvard Law School, detailing the intense academic and emotional challenges he faced. Organized into six chapters, the book explores the competitive and isolating nature of law school, the pressure of class rankings, and the struggle to balance personal life with rigorous studies, ultimately highlighting the profound impact the experience has on one's character and ethics.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Scott Turow's One L offers an intense, detailed account of Harvard Law School's first-year experience. Positive reviews praise its candid portrayal and engaging narrative. Criticism includes an overly dramatic tone and pacing issues. Overall, One L serves as a compelling read for aspiring lawyers but may feel exaggerated to some.

Who should read this

Who Should Read One L?

Readers who relish the rigors and realities of law school would enjoy Scott Turow's One L. Fans of personal narratives like What It's Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes or those captivated by the legal world in John Grisham's novels will find this memoir fascinating and insightful.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years