This book charts the history of civil litigation in America from the 17th century to today, using key cases that illustrate the central theme of lawsuits in different periods of U.S. history, and enabling readers to explore and understand key questions in American life and culture through the changing nature of how and why we sue one another.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents
Introduction: Litigation and Honor -- Part I: Litigation Defines a Nation -- Defamation -- Land-Grabbing and Money-Grubbing -- Slavery and Honor -- Free Labor? -- Part II: Litigation Defends Democracy -- Stock Swindles and Swindlers -- Divorce -- Civil Rights and Wrongs -- Product Liability and Mass Tort Litigation -- Conclusion: The Value of Litigation in America.
